1919 World Series
...that we live in, there is corruption and foul-play everywhere. I sometimes here my
grandparents say that back when they were kids they didn't have to worry about crime and
everyone did right naturally. I found this to be as untrue as I researched the greatest sports
scandal of all time, The 1919 World series. Corruption, money, greed, power, and even organized
crime were major factors in this landmark game of 1919. This proves that even America's pastime
had it's lowest point.
Heading into the Series of 1919, the White Sox were considered the best team of the 20th
century. The Sox boasted a lineup that included three eventual Hall of Famers; Collins, Schalk
and Faber. In addition three others, Jackson, Cicotte and pitcher Lefty Williams—who were
forging Hall of Fame careers. The Cincinnati Reds, on the other hand, had its share of stars,
including third baseman Heinie Groh, but had only one eventual Hall of Famer, Edd Roush. Still,
the Reds dominated the National League, winning a then-franchise-record 96 games against only
44 losses on the strength of a league-leading 2.23 team ERA, which was more than three-quarters
of a run lower than Chicago's. Even though the Reds were a great team, they were by no means a
match for the White Sox team, which was the first reason that gamblers noticed the great
opportunity to make money.
There was good reason the Sox were susceptible to the lure of quick money. They were
among the American League's best players but Charles Comiskey paid most of them no more than
the worst. Comiskey, the owner, promised the White Sox that if they did win the 1917 world
series that he would pay them a bonus in their salaries. when that bonus did come, it turned out to
be a bottle of cheap champagne. Before the 1919 series, Charles Comiskey promised Cicotte an
extra $10,000 if he won 30 games. The...
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