The Chicago White Sox were 3-1 betting favorites to whip the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series. Shoeless Joe Jackson, 1st baseman Arnold Gandil, Shortstop Charles Swede Risberg, 3rd baseman George Buck Weaver, OF Oscar Felsch, IF Fred McMullin, Pitchers Lefty Williams and Eddie Cicotte conspired together with known gamblers to lose the World Series. These players were promised $100,000; a huge sum of money at this time in history. Most of the money they never received!

In 1919, Federal Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis presided at the grand jury and a jury found the ballplayers not guilty. In 1920, Judge Landis was made the first Commissioner of Baseball. As Commissioner of Baseball, Landis took quick action. He decreed, 'Regardless of the verdict of juries, no player that entertains proposals or promises to throw a game or sits on a meeting with a bunch of crooks and gamblers where the ways of throwing games are discussed and does not promptly tell his ball club about it, will ever again play professional baseball'.

Judge Landis banned all eight Chicago White Sox players - Forever. Hence, from then on, this team of 1919 became known as the Chicago Black Sox and the Chicago White Sox did not win a post-season Series or World Series - until 86 years later in 2005. baseballhistorian.com - Research Dept

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The Chicago White Sox Curse Was Broken in 2005 ===============================================

With his great control 'Lefty' Williams could pinpoint the exact place he wanted to pitch the ball to. In the 1919 World Series vs. the Cincinnati Reds in game 2 Lefty walked three batters in one inning as the Reds beat the White Sox 4-2.

In the last game of the Series, Lefty Williams got pounded for a 10-5 loss as the Reds became World Champions.

Rumors began flying that White Sox players threw the World Series. Investigations and grand jury followed. Williams confessed that he threw the World Series.

Claude Williams was banned from MLB forever.

baseballhistorian.com

'Shoeless Joe' Jackson was known as the greatest natural hitter that baseball had ever witnessed. In his first full season, he hit .408 including 45 two-base hits, along with 19 triples and collected a total of 233 hits.

In 1912, 'Shoeless Joe' batted .395 and continued all thru this decade to be among the leaders in batting and an All-Star in the outfield with his speed and natural, hard throwing arm.

Joe Jackson played for the Chicago White Sox in 1919 World Series, he batted .375 but misplayed balls in the outfield. After the Series, 'Shoeless Joe' was indicted for throwing games for money playoffs, and was banned from baseball for all-time by Judge Landis.

After the grand jury ...... outside the court house.......Legend states, "a small boy came up to Jackson, with tears in his eyes, and said.... "Say it ain't so, Joe."

When Joe Jackson did not respond to the young boy - the youth cursed him and cried out, 'the White Sox will never win another World Series.'

Heine Zimmerman, Chicago Cubs led the National League in batting with .372 in 1912. Lee Magee was a veteran player for the Cubs. Neither player was ever reinstated.

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Baseball History contains both the good and the bad among people - just like in life