The Black Sox Scandal

New York Times Co. New York Times Co.

In the United States, this is the granddaddy of gambling scandals. The 1919 Chicago White Sox were considered the best team in baseball at that time, and viewed by many as a lock to win the World Series. But Chicago lost to the Cincinnati Reds, 5 games to 3. A year later, eight Chicago players were accused of losing the games intentionally, in bed with New York mobsters who were betting on the series. Though some players' exact involvement was disputed, including superstar 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson, the eight players were banned from organized baseball for life (though they were all acquitted in court). The scandal's impact was so great, the next season baseball seated its first commissioner and the team was forever dubbed the Black Sox. Nearly 70 years later, Hollywood glamorized the scandal in the film 'Eight Men Out.'