Paul E’s Reviews > Eight Men Out: The Black Sox and the 1919 World Series > Status Update

On October 22nd, 1920, the eight Black Sox and five gamblers were charged with nine counts of conspiracy against the state of Illinois. The defendants were set to go on trial February 1st, 1921. The grand jury had a hard time finding more evidence to begin a strong trial, and with minimal evidence the jury hoped to have a speedy trial that would acquit the players so they could play in the 1921 baseball season.

Cont. Due to the ongoing investigations, allegations had been formed that the upcoming 1920 World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Brooklyn Dodgers was also fixed. The American public did not want the series to be played unless it was assured to be a clean series

The eight White Sox players who had alleged involvement in the 1919 World Series fix were finally suspended by Charles Comiskey towards the end of the 1920 regular season. The American public was devastated by the fact that this fix had finally been accepted as truth. Due to the fact that the public felt so back-stabbed by the players, the players became notoriously known as the Black Sox.

The confessions have finally came through, with Cicotte and Joe Jackson testifying in front of the grand jury in return for immunity from prosecution. The White Sox are heading nowhere good, and it is only a matter of time before the supposed participants of the fix will be suspended indefinitely in the heat of the season.

Cont. He said that he heard the series was fixed in 1919, and they should ask Eddie Cicotte about what he knew.

The 1920 baseball season has begun, and all rumors of the previous 1919 World Series fix were dissipated. Until, after some new allegations of throwing games in the 1920 regular season, the law became involved. A grand jury in Illinois was formed, and testimonies and evidence were gathered. A testimony that gave a huge lead was given by Rube Benton, a pitcher for the New York Giants.

Cont. for covering up the relations between players and gamblers.

After the disappointment of 1919, the owner of the White Sox, Charles Comiskey, begun his own investigation. The investigation job was to find and validate any claims that his players fixed the World Series. After Comiskey's investigation turned up nothing, Hugh Fullerton returned from his fishing trip in Michigan to publish an article attacking the American and National League

Cont. Of course, the gambler must of known about the fix. My thoughts lead me to believe that Fullerton will present his case to baseball, the Law, and the American public, of how the Chicago White Sox fixed the 1919 World Series

The World Series has been completed, and the fix was successful. The Sox ended up losing 5 games to 2, after "Lefty" Williams could not pitch through one inning in Game 7. After the fact though, sports reporter Hugh Fullerton, who was skeptical about the legitimacy of the series from the beginning; was told by a local gambler that he believed Williams would not last an inning.