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The Black Sox Scandal

The Black Sox Scandal. The 1919 World Series. The History of Baseball. Adopted the “reserve clause” in 1879. Guaranteed a club a player’s services for as long as it wished. It kept players from earning their market value. Without a union, the players had to accept the wages they were give.

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The Black Sox Scandal

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  1. The Black Sox Scandal The 1919 World Series

  2. The History of Baseball • Adopted the “reserve clause” in 1879. • Guaranteed a club a player’s services for as long as it wished. It kept players from earning their market value. • Without a union, the players had to accept the wages they were give.

  3. The American League • Created in 1899 by Charles Comiskey and Ban Johnson (right). • Created a governing body called The National Commission. • Created The World Series in 1903.

  4. The National Commission • Was a weak governing body • Often times was questioned for its decisions regarding gambling and disputes between teams claiming players.

  5. Gambling and Baseball • Gambling had existed in baseball since the founding of the game in the early 1860s. • Gambling and the throwing of games was generally ignored by the National Commission. A policy of “looking the other way” and “sweeping things under the carpet.”

  6. The Players The 1919 World Series

  7. Chick Gandil • The “ringleader” of the Black Sox • Contacted the gamblers and organized the fix. • Gathered the 7 other players • Made $35,000 for his role. • Made only $4,000 for the season.

  8. Swede Risberg • Starting shortstop • A tough, hard-nosed person. Known as an intimidating man. • Only got 2 hits in 25 at-bats in the series. Also made for 4 errors. • Got paid $15,000 for his role in the fix. • Made $3,250 in salary in 1919.

  9. Happy Felsch • A good, young hitter and outfielder had his best season in 1919. • Didn’t want to participate in the fix, but knew he couldn’t stop it, so figured he’d get in on the action. • Made $5,000 in the fix. • Made $4,000 in salary in 1919.

  10. Eddie Cicotte • The “Ace” of the Sox • Led the A.L. in Wins, Innings Pitched, and Winning Percentage in 1919. • Paid $10,000 before game 1 of the series. • Made $6,000 in salary in 1919. • Didn’t get his bonus. Lost 2 of 3 games in World Series.

  11. Lefty Williams • Also one of the best pitchers in the A.L. in 1919, best season of career. • Also didn’t want in on the fix, but Gandil told him they’d go on without him, so he agreed. • Made $5,000 for his role in the fix • Made only $2,500 in salary in 1919 making him one of the lowest paid players on the Sox. • Set a World Series record with 3 losses.

  12. “Shoeless” Joe Jackson • The best and most recognizable player on the Sox. A bona-fide legend and superstar. • His participation in the fix is disputed. • He was paid $5,000 for his role in the fix. Was allegedly promised $20,000 by Gandil. • Hit a series-best .375 with 12 hits and made no errors. • Made $6,000 in salary in 1919. • Considered one of the best hitters, ever.

  13. Buck Weaver • One of baseball’s best third basemen in 1919. • Made $6,000 in salary in 1919. • Was invited to join in fixing the series, but declined. He was present at 2 of the “meetings” and never told anyone about it. • Hit .324 and committed no errors in the series. • Was not paid for fixing the series and denied his involvement.

  14. Fred McMullin • Utility-man for the Sox • Only made 2 at-bats in the series and got 1 hit. • Was paid $5,000 for his role in the fix. • Made $2,750 during the 1919 season.

  15. The Gamblers The 1919 World Series

  16. Joseph “Sport” Sullivan • A Boston-based gambler who conspired with Gandil to fix the series. • Reached out to New York crime boss, Arnold Rothstein, to finance the fix.

  17. “Sleepy” Bill Burns • Former Major League pitcher who worked for Sullivan. Was in charge of getting the money to the players.

  18. Arnold Rothstein • New York-based gambler and Jewish mafia boss. • Reportedly bankrolled the fix. • Also made a great deal of money betting on the series.

  19. Abe Attell • Former featherweight boxing world champion who was an enforcer for Rothstein. • Allegedly was responsible for getting the money for the players from Rothstein to Sullivan and Burns. • Double-crossed the players.

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