Darning the Sox

The sad saga of the 1919 World Series-throwing Chicago White Sox comes to an end 104 years ago today as baseball commissioner Kenesaw Landis banishes for life eight players from that team – pitchers Eddie Cicotte and Lefty Williams; infielders Chick Gandil, Swede Risberg, Fred McMullin and Buck Weaver; and outfielders Happy Felsch and Joe Jackson.

Landis suspends all eight in 1921 despite the players receiving an acquittal in court.

Seven of the eight play throughout the 1920 season – Gandil retires after the 1919 Series – before Landis hands down the lifetime suspensions.

While pundits always note the White Sox are heavily favored by the oddsmakers to win the Series in 1919, they tend to gloss over the fact the Reds roll through the National League with a 96-44 record – eight victories more than what the White Sox total that season in the American League.

Cincinnati also has two of the National League’s best hitters that season in future Hall of Famer Edd Roush and the exceptional Heinie Groh, as well as a pitching staff with a skinny 2.23 ERA and a major league-best 23 shutouts.

Bottom line: The Reds may not have needed any help to beat the White Sox in what then is a best-of-nine format in the Series.