Buck Weaver

Background

Weaver was born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, to Daniel Weaver and Susan Snell and began his major league career on April 11, 1912, as a shortstop for the White Sox. Weaver switched to third base in 1917 after Swede Risberg joined the team. An excellent fielder, Weaver was known as the only third baseman in the league against whom Ty Cobb would not bunt. He led the majors in sacrifice hits in 1915 and 1916.

In the famous 1919 World Series, Weaver batted .324, tallying 11 hits. After the Series, many suspicious reporters made allusions to a possible fix, but some sportswriters praised Weaver. Ross Tenney of the Cincinnati Post wrote: 'Though they are hopeless and heartless, the White Sox have a hero. He is George Weaver, who plays and fights at third base.

Day after day Weaver has done his work and smiled... Buck's spirit is untouched. He was ready to die fighting. Buck is Chicago's one big hero; long may he fight and smile.'

Despite this, Weaver was banned by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis for having knowledge of the fix and failing to tell team officials. Weaver successfully sued White Sox owner Charles Comiskey for his 1921 salary. For the rest of his life, Weaver applied at least six times for reinstatement. The first time was on January 13, 1922, rejected by Landis.

A notable attempt came in 1927 in the wake of the Tris Speaker/Ty Cobb betting scandal, again rejected. Later, Weaver contacted a New York City attorney who vowed to get him reinstated, but the legal papers were never returned. In 1953, Weaver applied for reinstatement one last time to Commissioner Ford Frick, which was ignored. Weaver died from a heart attack on January 31, 1956, at the age of 65.

On May 13, 2025, Commissioner Rob Manfred reinstated Weaver and other deceased players from the ineligible list, including Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Did You Know?

• Weaver's letter to Commissioner Ford Frick in 1953 is displayed in Cooperstown's Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
• The 1988 movie Eight Men Out portrays the story partly from Weaver's point of view, with John Cusack playing him.