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Chicago “Black Sox” Scandal: Topics in Chronicling America

In 1921, several Chicago White Sox players are brought to trial for throwing the 1919 World Series. This guide provides access to material related to the “Chicago Black Sox Scandal” in the Chronicling America digital collection of historic newspapers.

Introduction

Illustration of the "Black Sox" ban from baseball. August 4, 1921. The Evening World (New York, NY), Wall Street Final Edition, Image 18. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers.

"Striiiike! 8 Men Out!" Soon after the Cincinnati Reds win the 1919 World Series rumors spread that gamblers paid eight Chicago White Sox players (later nicknamed The Black Sox) to "throw" the game. An investigation is launched and although a grand jury acquits the players, they are banned from playing professional baseball ever again. Read more about it!

The information in this guide focuses on primary source materials found in the digitized historic newspapers from the digital collection Chronicling America.

The timeline below highlights important dates related to this topic and a section of this guide provides some suggested search strategies for further research in the collection.

Timeline

October 10, 1919 The Cincinnati Reds defeat the Chicago White Sox in game 8 of the World Series, making the Reds the 1919 Series champions.
September 1920 Rumors spread that the Series had been fixed, and an investigation is begun into the allegations. Several White Sox players admit to participation in the scandal, and eight of the players are indicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the public.
July 18 1921 The players are brought to trial.
August 2, 1921 The jury finds the players not guilty, but they are subsequently banned by the national baseball commissioner from playing professionally.