Post-War Turmoil and the Chicago 'Black Sox'

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Before the World Series games between the Chicago White Sox’s and Cincinnati Reds began, America had just witnessed the end of the first World War. A war that not only took men of draft age from their everyday jobs (that did not aid to support the war) but baseball players as well were forced to either join the military or find employment that aided the war. In addition, baseball players, during this time, had once again fallen into the disadvantages of the reverse clause which cut even the best players pay tremendously. Despite the war and the effects, it had on the economy, as well as the effects it had on baseball during this time, was the hardships that the Chicago White Sox’s team endured, in large part due to their frugal owner, Charles Comiskey. In fact, Comiskey was so frugal that he would not even have his player’s uniforms laundered. This, in turn, caused the players to protest by wearing dirty uniforms for games on end, resulting in the nickname “Black Sox’s” (Baseball, 2011). Furthermore, Comiskey paid his players very little and even would go as far as sitting out his pitcher who had already won 29 games for the reason that he had promised him a $10,000 if he had won 30 games (Baseball, 2011). As a result of …show more content…

This was brought on by the economic conditions of this time, including low pay and the frugalness of the White Sox owner, Charles Comiskey. This type of scandal more than likely would never happen today, due to the high pay baseball players now receive along with them being ban from baseball (future high salary). Finally, due to the reverse clause during 1919, I personally do not begrudge the players for throwing the game due to their low pay and needing to make ends meet. After all, it was normally during this time for players to work close with gamblers for this

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