Eight Men Out

In 1919, the Chicago White Sox secured their position as the champions of the American League. The players celebrated their remarkable achievements, basking in the glory of their impressive talent and teamwork.

Despite the team's success, owner Charles Comiskey earned a reputation as a miser when he neglected to reward his players. His refusal to give a promised $10,000 bonus to pitcher Eddie Cicotte for reaching 30 wins left many players feeling undervalued.

In the wake of Comiskey's refusal, gamblers Sleepy Bill Burns and Billy Maharg approached Eddie Cicotte, aiming to manipulate him into throwing the World Series. Cicotte's financial struggles led him to consider their proposal seriously.

Team manager Kid Gleason decided to bench Cicotte for two weeks leading up to the World Series. This decision stirred speculation and added tension among players as the series against the Cincinnati Reds approached.

Chick Gandil, Swede Risberg, and Lefty Williams become involved with Burns and Maharg, actively participating in the World Series fix. Meanwhile, Shoeless Joe Jackson, unaware of the gravity of the situation, gets caught up in the scheme due to his naïveté.

As Game 1 of the World Series begins, Cicotte hits Reds leadoff hitter Morrie Rath with an intentional pitch. This act is a signal to gambler Arnold Rothstein that the players' plan is put into motion to throw the series.

The White Sox faced a staggering defeat in Game 1 against the Cincinnati Reds, losing 9-1. Cicotte's poor performance, allowing five runs in just four innings, was indicative of the turmoil facing the team.

As the World Series continued, glaring errors from multiple players raised suspicion among fans and journalists alike. Many began questioning the integrity of the team, especially as payouts promised by the gamblers failed to arrive.

In a surprising turn of events, rookie pitcher Dickie Kerr led the White Sox to victory in Game 3. His performance brought a brief sense of hope amid the growing tension surrounding the team's actions.

Cicotte's difficulties persisted as the series progressed, culminating in another crushing defeat in Game 5. Despite some individual player successes, the Sox's morale was at an all-time low.

Manager Kid Gleason's decision to bench Cicotte for Game 7 created further controversy. This decision faced challenges from Cicotte himself, who sought redemption after his disappointing performances earlier in the series.

The Chicago White Sox ultimately fell to the Cincinnati Reds with a final score of 5-3 in Game 8. Despite a thrilling home run from Shoeless Joe Jackson, the team could not overcome the previous weeks' misdeeds.

Following the series, journalist Hugh Fullerton's scathing critique of the White Sox performance ignited a major investigation into allegations of fixing. As scrutiny intensified, confessions from Cicotte and Jackson in 1920 implicated all eight players involved.

Despite being acquitted of criminal charges, all eight implicated players received lifetime bans from baseball by newly appointed commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis. The scandal forever altered the landscape of Major League Baseball.

In 1925, Buck Weaver recalls the events of the 1919 World Series while observing Shoeless Joe Jackson playing under an assumed identity. Though suspicions linger among fans, Weaver stands resolute in defending his former teammate.