Joe Jackson is one of the best players in the history of the game. I agree with you. None other than Babe Ruth patterned his swing after Shoeless Joe. But Jackson knowingly participated in the plot to throw the 1919 series, and accepted $5,000 of the promised $20,000. For that, he correctly was banned from the game for life.
There's a legal concept that is applicable here.
Ignorantia legis neminem excusat, or "ignorance of the law excuses no one." It's true that Jackson was illiterate. But, in that era, betting, and throwing games, was rampant. It was impossible for a Major League player to not know that was against the rules. Jackson first appeared in a game with the Athletics in 1908, and he became a full time player in 1911. He'd appeared in nearly 1,200 Major League games before the 1919 Series. His performance on the field those eight games really doesn't matter. He was the best player on the team. His vow to help throw the Series enabled the plotters. Without him, and their ace pitcher, Eddie Cicotte participating in the conspiracy, it never could have happened.
And what about his performance in the Series? Rob Neyer wrote an excellent article about Jackson's culpability on ESPN's site back in
2001. The plan was for the Sox to throw certain games, and then win others, so other betters, and Major League Baseball, would not become aware of the plan.
Neyer reviewed Jackson's play:
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"But the evidence suggests that Jackson did not try his best. The White Sox and Reds played eight games in the 1919 World Series. The evidence suggests that the conspirators tried to win three games, and they tried to lose five. Jackson hit .545 in the three games he wanted to win.
In the first four games the conspirators wanted to lose, Jackson hit .250 with zero RBI. In the fifth fixed game, Jackson was hitless until the Reds were ahead 5-0, at which point he hit a solo home run. Later, with the Sox trailing the Reds 10-1, Jackson hit a meaningless two-run double.
In the field, Jackson's play was questionable, too. Triples are rarely hit to left field ... yet in the 1919 World Series, three of Cincinnati's nine triples were hit to left field, where Jackson was stationed. And there were other things, too. White Sox pitcher Dickie Kerr, who won twice in the Series, later commented, "Our outfielders fielded base hits slow, allowing the Reds to take extra bases. And, there were times when the fielders played the Reds just opposite of what they were supposed to do. In that way they left gaps for the ball to fall safely."
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If any of the eight deserve reinstatement, it's Buck Weaver. All he was guilty of was not telling Charles Comiskey and MLB of the plot. He did not participate, took no money, and he was banned, anyway.
Jackson received a lifetime ban. Well, it was served. While I am conflicted on the matter, I do feel that Jackson deserves to be reinstated, and his candidacy for Cooperstown should immediately be considered by the Veterans Committee. I abhor cheating in baseball in any form. But I am also one to forgive. While I detest what these men did, it feels wrong that the game's all-time hit king, and home run king, are not in the Hall of Fame. And Jackson is one of the top ten hitters in the game's history. His play deserves recognition.
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Originally Posted by AaronJ
Eight Men Out is brilliant, and a great story of a real event.
Though Joe Jackson should not be banned from the HoF. That's ridiculous, and doesn't even match up with what happened.
I'm sorry. If THAT is throwing a Series, then I want 25 guys on my team, EVERY YEAR, who are determined to throw the Series. Joe was not a bright or educated guy by all accounts. Someone offering him money probably didn't even compute for him. He came from abject poverty.
I'm sorry. I know we weren't really talking about this, but it's a SERIOUS personal gripe of mine. Baseball is my favorite sport, and Joe was one of the greatest players who ever put on a glove.
In one year it will be 100 freakin' years! And he didn't even do anything! Come the freak, on!
OK, OK, I'll stop now. I need a drink. I'm so pissed off right now that ... OK. Go on.
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