The Last Big Baseball Scandal-- Part 6: The Chicago Black Sox

The trial finally started in 1921 and was a circus. Rothstein refused to show up, saying that the Arnold Rothstein mentioned was another Arnold Rothstein, not him. The missing confessions figured in the trial as well. The judge who had originally heard them was allowed to verbally give his memory of them.

Charles Comsikey, team owner, went ballistic when he was accused of "contract jumping" to make a few extra bucks.

Surprisingly, the jury found the players innocent, but newly appointed baseball commissioner Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis confirmed Comiskey's suspensions and permanently banned all the players from ever playing baseball again.

That set off a long streak of losing and no World Series for the White Sox. With the exception of appearing in the 1959 World Series and the championship in 2005, it continues on to this day. Too bad as I still believe the Sox would have had a dynasty instead of the hated Yankees.

The other players faded into obscurity, but Joe Jackson's supporters continued to push to clear his name, even after his death in 1951. They feel he was just a poor country boy who was duped. During the series, he hit .351 and made no errors, surely not what a player on the take would do.

These Chicago Black Sox have been featured in the movies "Eight Men Out" and "Field of Dreams."

Way Too Bad. --Cooter