WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Old Ballgame: The 1919 Black Sox Scandal

Episode Date: February 15, 2024

A look at a historic MLB scandal.

Welcome to the old ball game, where we talk about the past of America's favorite pastime. I'm Tate Christensen. Today we talk about the Black Sox scandal of 1919. The Chicago White Sox faced the Cincinnati Reds in the 1919 World Series, and several players of the White Sox, who were nicknamed the Black Sox, were charged with throwing the game. Conspiracy has it that a White Sox player secretly met up with a professional gambler in a hotel in Boston, although the identity of the men could never be confirmed.

$80,000 was involved, and White Sox infield of Fred McMullen found out about the deal and threatened to reveal their secrets unless he was given a payoff. Several other players became involved as the series went on. The series lasted nine games and the White Sox lost the final one. Rumors spread throughout the 1920 season and a jury got involved. Eight White Sox players, including shoeless Joe Jackson, were banned from the MLB. This has been the old ball game on Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM.