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As we are all aware, eight members of the heavily-favored 1919 White Sox were accused of “fixing” the 1919 World Series. Led by ringleader Chick Gandil, the others in the cabal were Joe Jackson, Eddie Cicotte, Happy Felsch, Lefty Williams, Fred McMullin, Swede Risberg, and Buck Weaver. A jury found them innocent of the charges, but the next day, Judge Landis banned the entire group from baseball for life.
Although the edict was effective in restoring integrity to the game (at least until the “steroid era”), many baseball historians have felt the the verdict was too harsh. Most notably, author Gene Carney in his definitive book on the subject, Burying the Black Sox, repeatedly made the case that there were differing levels of guilt in the plot and that should have been reflected in Landis’ decision.
For instance, a strong case can be made that the lifetime ban rendered to Joe Jackson and Buck Weaver was too harsh. Both played excellent ball throughout the series. No one ever accused either of them of giving less than 100 percent on the field. Weaver was only charged with “guilty knowledge” since he refused to squeal on his teammates.
Instead, Landis rendered a one-size-fits-all verdict which included both Jackson and Weaver. Not only that, but was Weaver the only person who had wind of the plot? Carney has suggested that both Comiskey and Ban Johnson had been informed, but Weaver was made the scapegoat. Plus the gamblers got away scot-free, while the players paid the price.
So here’s your chance to weigh in on this controversial decision with the following choices. In this poll, you can vote for more than one choice. The poll box is found on the right and below. Also, feel free to leave a detailed response in the comments section below.
- Judge Landis’ decision to ban all eight players for life was correct. They all deserved the same punishment. He was justified in banning them all for life.
- Judge Landis’ decision was too harsh. Gandil as the ringleader, nd possibly Cicotte, deserved a lifetime ban. The others should have been suspended but not banned for life.
- With Landis’ history of enforcing the “color barrier,” he has no right to be banning anyone.
- There were differing levels of involvement in the plot and the verdicts should have reflected this. A one-size-fits-all verdict was not fair to some of the players.
- Jackson and Weaver should be reinstated as they had lesser involvement.
- Weaver is the only player who should be reinstated.
- Jackson is the only player who should be reinstated.
Gary Livacari
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Banning a player for life isn’t something that should be done lightly, and banning this group of players is a severe punishment. Gambling on baseball players, with the help of players, was part of baseball history since the first league was formed. The integrity of the game was at stake as long as this was going on, and it needed to be stopped. By Landis phrasing this punishment of the Chicago players (agreeing to gamble, sitting in with gamblers discussing how it will be done, etc.), he covered his bases for banning all of the players although, as you rightly point out, there are various degrees of guilt. Landis removed the gray areas with a black-or-white judgment. Even in 1920, there were suspicions that the White Sox were still throwing games, in part because gamblers could blackmail those who were involved in the 1919 World Series. This adds some justification to the “knowledge of gambling activities” part of the Landis ruling. In short, it is a severe penalty, it puts all association with gambling and gamblers under one violation (regardless of performance), and unlike the Sox of 1919, players today know what the rule is and the penalty for breaking it, so today there is no excuse for players to be involved with gambling.
Great post! I’m a big promoter of reinstating Shoeless Joe Jackson along with more players, perhaps all of them. Wouldn’t it be cool if MLB and the White Sox could have a big 100 year “anniversary” of the situation where they reinstated the members once and for all. I mean, it has been a century now!
I read the book “The Betrayal” by Charles Fountain. From all my research, it seems likely that Jackson took the money from the gamblers but certainly didn’t “try” to lose. He led the team in hitting in the Series and committed zero errors. What a shame that he got grouped with the “bad” guys, namely Chick Gandil and Eddie Cicotte. Those two seem the most guilty but even they regretted it after the first game, if I remember correctly, and vowed to win after that.
Let’s get this petition going to reinstate the Black Sox!
Reid “Dutch Lion”
I love you idea Reid! Thanks for posting!
What Robb Tucker said.