Black Sox Scandal

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Lore & Background

Tension brewed in the White Sox clubhouse under owner Charles Comiskey, who was widely resented for miserliness despite the team's success. The reserve clause left players with no bargaining power, and contrary to some claims, Comiskey did not pay the league's largest payroll in 1919. The team split into factions: the straitlaced "Clean Sox," including Eddie Collins and Red Faber, and those willing to listen to gamblers. On September 18, Chick Gandil met bookmaker Joe "Sport" Sullivan to discuss throwing the series for $80,000. A meeting followed at the Ansonia Hotel in New York City; Buck Weaver attended but received no money, while Fred McMullin demanded a share after hearing of the fix. Utility infielder McMullin and retired pitcher William "Sleepy Bill" Burns were former Pacific Coast League teammates. The plot relied on pitchers Eddie Cicotte and Lefty Williams taking starts meant for the sick ace Red Faber.

In Their Own Story

On October 1, rumors of a fixed series caused odds against Cincinnati to plummet. In Game One, after throwing a strike with his first pitch, pitcher Eddie Cicotte delivered a pre-arranged signal by hitting leadoff hitter Morrie Rath in the back with his second pitch. A bad throw to Swede Risberg in the fourth inning further raised suspicions among correspondents like Hugh Fullerton and Christy Mathewson. Lefty Williams lost three games, a Series record, while rookie Dickie Kerr won both starts cleanly. After Game Five, gamblers reneged on progress payments, claiming funds were tied up in bets. Angry at non-payment, the conspirators attempted to doublecross by winning Games Six and Seven. Before Game Eight, threats of violence were made against players and their families. Williams started but gave up three runs on four straight hits before being relieved; the White Sox lost the series 4-3 on October 9. Buck Weaver received no money, while others took $5,000 each, with Gandil securing $35,000.

Reader's Guide

The scandal's legal fallout began in September 1920 when a grand jury was convened as rumors persisted during the pennant race against Cleveland. On September 28, Cicotte confessed to the grand jury. Owner Charles Comiskey suspended seven White Sox players still on the roster, a move that likely cost the team the pennant; they finished second behind the Indians. The grand jury issued indictments on October 22, 1920, charging eight players and five gamblers with nine counts of conspiracy. During the 1921 trial in Chicago, key evidence including signed confessions from Cicotte and Jackson vanished from the Cook County courthouse only to reappear later in Comiskey's lawyer's possession. The jury was empaneled on July 15 after defendants claimed illness and current players visited indicted ex-players in court. Despite Shano Collins suing for lost winnings, the players were acquitted, but Landis banned them permanently.

Did You Know?

• Utility infielder Fred McMullin was not at the initial meetings but demanded a share of the $80,000 after hearing about the fix.
• Third baseman Buck Weaver attended all planning meetings and knew of the conspiracy but received no money and did not participate in throwing games.
• Pitcher Red Faber's absence due to flu was critical; catcher Ray Schalk later stated the fix would not have happened if Faber had pitched.
• During the 1921 trial, the indicted ex-players were greeted by fans and reporters outside the courthouse, though no widely established account describes current White Sox players tickling Buck Weaver.
• Despite occasional calls for posthumous reinstatement, Commissioner Rob Manfred has not reinstated any of the Black Sox players, and their lifetime bans remain in place.