Black Sox Scandal (1919 World Series vs. Reds)

Lore & Background

The 1919 World Series was a best-of-nine series. The National Baseball Commission decided to try this format partly to increase popularity and partly to generate more revenue. The events of the series are often associated with the Black Sox Scandal, in which several members of the Chicago franchise conspired with gamblers, allegedly led by organized crime figure Arnold Rothstein, to throw the series. This led the various franchise owners to install Kenesaw Mountain Landis as the first Commissioner of Baseball in 1920.

In August 1921, despite being acquitted from criminal charges, eight players from the White Sox were banned from organized baseball for either fixing the series or having knowledge about the fix without alerting the league. Dickey Kerr, another player not involved in the scandal, was later suspended after holding out for more pay, but was eventually reinstated. On May 12, 2025, commissioner Rob Manfred lifted all permanent bans — including those of the Black Sox players — on the grounds that deceased players pose no threat to the integrity of the game.

The nine players that were once banned are now considered eligible for entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame by as early as 2027.

Reader's Guide

The Chicago White Sox had the best record in the American League in 1919. Their star was left fielder Joe Jackson, who hit .351 that season. Other key players included Eddie Collins, Nemo Leibold, Chick Gandil, Buck Weaver, Oscar 'Hap' Felsch, Ray Schalk, Swede Risberg, and pitchers Eddie Cicotte (29–7), Claude 'Lefty' Williams (23–11), Dickey Kerr (13–7), and Urban 'Red' Faber (11–9). Faber was unable to pitch in the series due to illness. The Cincinnati Reds were upstarts, winning the National League pennant at 96–44. Their greatest star was center fielder Edd Roush, who led the league in hitting at .321. Other key players included Heinie Groh, Jake Daubert, Ivey Wingo, and pitchers Hod Eller (20–9), Dutch Ruether (19–6), and Slim Sallee (21–7).