Say It Ain't So: The Black Sox Scandal of 1919 and the Transformation of Baseball

Primary Players Involved in the Scandal (The Black Sox): - Chick Gandil - Fred McMullin - Joe Jackson (also known as "Shoeless" Joe Jackson) - Swede Risberg - Happy Felsch - Lefty Williams - Buck Weaver - Eddie Cicotte
1919 World Series Overview: - The series featured the Chicago White Sox against the Cincinnati Reds. - The Chicago White Sox were initially considered the heavy favorites to win. - Gambling odds saw a significant and suspicious shift on the eve of the 1919 World Series. - The White Sox had previously won the 1917 World Series against the New York Giants. - The Cincinnati Reds ultimately won the 1919 series with a record of $5$ games to $3$ . - The 1919 World Series utilized a "best of nine" format, which was the standard from the years $1919$ to $1921$ .

The Great War's Influence on Major League Baseball: - The era was defined by the concept of "100 Percent Americanism." - Cultural artifacts from the time include "The Great Baseball War Song" titled "Uncle Sam is at the Plate," published on January 25, 1908, with words by Harry Tighe and music by Harry Von Tilzer.
Baseball as a Tool for Americanization: - Sportswriter Hugh Fullerton stated on July 18, 1919: "Baseball, to my way of thinking, is the greatest single force working for Americanization. No other game appeals so much to the foreign-born youngsters and nothing, not even the schools, teaches the American spirit so quickly, or inculcates the idea of sportsmanship or fair play as thoroughly." - Former President Teddy Roosevelt reinforced these sentiments in 1919, emphasizing that there must be no "sagging back" in the fight for Americanism after the war. - Roosevelt's doctrine on immigration and assimilation: "We should insist that if the immigrant who comes here does in good faith become an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else. If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separates from the rest of America then he isn’t doing his part as an American. There can be no divided allegiance here."

The Strike Context: - Major strikes impacted the city; the Chicago Daily Tribune reported "STRIKE IS ON; CARS STOP!" on Tuesday, July 31, 1919. - Surface and "L" (elevated train) workers rejected a pay offer of $65$ to $67$ cents per hour ( $65-67\text{ cts.}$ ), reportedly shouting "To hell with the Public."
Race Riots and Civil Unrest: - The city faced extreme violence; headlines reported "20 SLAIN IN RACE RIOTS" with estimates suggesting $200$ or more were injured. - More than $3,500$ troops were mobilized and ready to enter the "Riot Zone" to maintain order. - Looting and arson were prevalent in various sections of the city. - Specific casualties mentioned in headlines include Eugene Cappel among the injured.

Prevalence of Gambling: - Financial investment in game outcomes has existed as long as the sport itself, growing in popularity before the American Civil War. - By the early 20th century, fixing games, betting on outcomes, and bribery were common practices initiated by both players and external gamblers.
Executive Complicity: - Baseball's "power brokers" implicitly encouraged gambling behavior because game attendance remained high and was soaring during this period. - Baseball executives frequently ignored evidence of their own players being involved in game-fixing schemes. - Despite signs saying "No Betting Allowed In This Park," the culture of gambling was deeply embedded.

The Instigators and Players: - Chick Gandil and Eddie Cicotte are identified as central figures in the origins of the scandal. - Joseph "Sport" Sullivan acted as a key gambling contact.
Key Non-Player Figures: - Hugh Fullerton: A sports reporter who investigated the fix. - Charles Comiskey: The owner of the Chicago White Sox. - Arnold Rothstein: Known as the "Big Bankroll," he was the primary financier behind the fix.
The Gamblers: - Bill Burns - Bill Maharg - Abe Attell: known by the moniker "The Little Champ."

The News Break: - On Thursday, September 3, 1920, the Chicago Daily Tribune ran the headline: "BARE 'FIXED' WORLD SERIES." - Affidavits provided tips that the Cincinnati Reds were guaranteed to win the series. - The Tribune reported that five White Sox players were involved, according to revelations made by a player named Herzog. - Assistant State's Attorney Hoyne's aid confirmed that the 1919 series was not on the level.

Prejudice in the Media: - The Sporting News, via writer J.G. Taylor Spink, described the gamblers as "dirty, long-nosed, thick-lipped, and strong smelling." - Spink complained that these gamblers "butted into the World Series" which he characterized as an "American event."
Henry Ford’s Dearborn Independent: - The publication explicitly blamed Jewish gamblers for the corruption of the sport. - Headlines and articles stated: "Jewish Gamblers Corrupt American Baseball." - Arnold Rothstein was described as a "slick Jew." - Abe Attell was labeled a "Jew gambler." - The publication summarized its stance by stating: "If fans wish to know the trouble with American baseball, they have it in three words—too much Jew."

The Trial of Joe Jackson: - The lawsuit was titled Joe Jackson, Plaintiff, vs. Chicago American League Baseball Club, Defendant. - This trial produced previously unseen transcripts documenting the corruption.
Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis: - Landis was appointed as "Baseball’s New Czar" to restore integrity to the game. - Landis established a strict code of conduct regarding gambling and game-fixing: - Any player who "throws" a ball game is banned for life. - Any player who "undertakes or promises" to throw a game is banned for life. - Any player who "sits in a conference with a bunch of crooked players and gamblers" where game-fixing is discussed and fails to promptly inform their club is banned for life. - Landis explicitly stated this policy would apply "Regardless of the verdict of juries."