The 1919 World Series resulted in the most famous scandal in baseball history. Eight players from the Chicago White Sox (later nicknamed the Black Sox) were accused of throwing the series against the Cincinnati Reds. Baseball has been one of America’s favorite pastime sports since the early 1900s. Between the months of April and October men, women, and children would get together to watch and cheer on their teams. This is part ii to of iii.
White Sox first baseman Arnold “Chick” Gandil was the ringleader. Chick Gandil enlisted the help of two gamblers, ex-major league pitcher William Burns and Billy Maharg. Gandil approached teammates Pitchers Ed Cicotte and Lefty Williams to assist in throwing the series knowing these two players had a bone to pick with Comiskey. Comiskey promised Cicotte a $10,000 if he won 30 games in a row but, after winning the 29th game Comisky bench Cicotte and did not pay him. Lefty Williams was tired of Comiskeys empty promises.
Gandil, Cicotte, and Williams needed help so they recruited center fielder Happy Felsch, shortstop Swede Ruberg, third baseman Buck Weaver, utility man Fred McMullan, and left fielder "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. October 1st was the start of the World Series in 1919. Going into the series the White Sox were favored to win 5 to 1 but word got out about a possible fix and people placed bets for Cincinnati. Players would receive $20,000 for each game they lost. The White Sox lost the 1st game but were only paid a fraction of what was owed to them. Angry players agreed they would lose again as long as the money was delivered the next evening. The Sox lost the 2nd game 4 -2, Sox’s catcher Ray Schalk became suspicious pitcher Williams and first baseman's Gandil performance.
Andrews, E. (2014, October 9). The Black Sox Baseball Scandal, 95 Years Ago. Retrieved March 15, 2017, from http://www.history.com/news/the-black-sox-baseball-scandal-95-years-ago
Black Sox Scandal. (2016, July 24 ). Retrieved March 16, 2017, from http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Black_Sox_Scandal
Mitchell, F. (2017, January). Flashback: Story of 1919 Black Sox scandal still resonates. Retrieved March 15, 2017, from http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/ct-flashback-buck-weaver-black-sox-spt-0705-20150703-story.html
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