The Chicago White Sox were once the best team in baseball. They won the World Series in 1919, but something strange happened. Eight players on the team were accused of losing games on purpose so that gamblers could make money off of them. These players were banned from baseball for life. This event is now globally recognized as the Black Sox Scandal.
What Is the Black Sox Scandal And What Happened?
Members of the Chicago White Sox baseball team schemed with gamblers to intentionally lose the World Series in 1919. The team’s star player, Shoeless Joe Jackson, was among those implicated in the scandal. Though Jackson recorded impressive statistics during the series, he and the other “Black Sox” were banned from pro baseball for life.
Shoeless Joe Jackson was one of eight players who were accused of throwing the game. Jackson was indicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the public but was acquitted in a trial in 1921. Jackson denied any wrongdoing and said that he played to win at all times. Nevertheless, the scandal resulted in him being banned from baseball for life.
He was introduced into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1951, but his induction was later rescinded due to his involvement in the scandal. Jackson remains one of the most controversial figures in baseball history.
What Happened After The Black Sox Scandal?
The Black Sox Scandal rocked the baseball world and resulted in lasting changes to the game. New rules were put in place to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The scandal also resulted in a loss of faith in professional athletes, as many fans felt that the players had betrayed their trust.
In the wake of the Black Sox Scandal, Major League Baseball instituted a number of new rules designed to help prevent a similar occurrence from happening in the future. Among these new rules were the following:
- Any player who was found to have deliberately thrown a game would be banned from MLB for life.
- All players would be required to sign a contract stipulating that they would not bet on baseball games.
- A new commission would be created to oversee the sport and enforce the rules, with the power to investigate any suspected wrongdoing.
Later Baseball Scandals
There have not been any scandals on the same level as the Black Sox Scandal since 1919. However, there have been a number of incidents that have been considered scandals in the baseball world. These include the involvement of baseball players in the use of performance-enhancing drugs, the use of racial slurs by baseball players and managers, and the sexual harassment allegations against Major League Baseball team owners.
The Pete Rose betting scandal broke in 1989 when it was revealed that the all-time hits leader had bet on baseball games, including ones involving his own team, the Cincinnati Reds. While managing the Reds, Rose was found to have wagered on 52 Reds games in 1987. In addition, he allegedly bet on baseball games as early as 1986 while he was still a player-manager for the team.
In 2004, the Cardinals were found to have accessed the Astros’ database containing information on players, scouting reports, trade discussions, and statistics. This information gave the Cardinals a competitive advantage over their opponents, and Correa was sentenced to 46 months in prison.