The 1919 Black Sox Scandal The 1919 World Series caused the most famous scandal in baseball history. Eight players of the Chicago White Sox (later nicknamed the Black Sox) were accused of throwing the series against the Cincinnati Reds. The details of the scandal and the extent of each man's involvement have not always been clear. It was, however, front-page news across the country, and despite being acquitted of criminal charges, the players were banned from professional baseball for life. The eight men included the great "Shoeless Joe Jackson", pitchers Eddie Cicotte and Claude "Lefty" Williams; infielders Buck Weaver, Arnold “Chick” Gandil, Fred McMullin and Charles “Swede” Risberg; and outfielder Oscar “Happy” Felsch. The White Sox team was formed in 1900 as an American League franchise, under the ownership of Charles Comiskey. The Sox were originally called The White Stockings. They shortened the name to White Sox in 1902. In its first year, the team won the championship. By 1903, the American and National Leagues had agreed to meet in a year-end playoff, or "World Series." In 1906, the White Sox won this national championship by defeating the Chicago Cubs four games to two. The next eight years brought a dry spell for the Sox. In 1910, Comiskey built a new ballpark on Chicago's South Side and devoted himself to building a strong baseball club. In 1915 he acquired three star players: outfielder Joe Jackson, second baseman Eddie Collins and center fielder Happy Felsch. In 1917, the Sox won the World Series, and, managed by William "Kid" Gleason, the 1919 Chicago White Sox had the best record in the American League. Despite their many victories on the field, the White Sox were a miserable... ... middle of paper ... I was shocked and began to have second thoughts about continuing to lose. By this point the players had missed another payment, and the players had decided there was no reason to lose. At least if they won the series, they would collect $5,000 each. Chicago won the sixth game 5-4 and the seventh 4-1. All the players seemed to be playing to the best of their abilities and the national championship was within their reach. Unfortunately, any chance of winning was ruined by Arnold Rothstein. Instead of betting on individual games, he had bet on Cincinnati to win the series. With his investment at risk, Rothstein sent one of his henchmen to visit Williams, who was pitching in the eighth game. He explained to Williams that Rothstein wanted the series to end the next day. He threatened Williams and his wife. Chicago lost 10-5. Finally, a frightened man delivered the World Series to Cincinnati.