The 1919 World Series resulted in the most famous scandal in baseball history.

Eight players from the Chicago White Sox (later nicknamed the Black Sox) were accused of throwing the series against the Cincinnati Reds.

The 1919 World Series was expected to generate 50% more revenue than any other previous World Series. Opportunity for large profit was on the rise, due to attendance increase.

William Burns William “Sleepy Bill” Burns was an ex major league pitcher. Will had the connection with White Sox players. Billy Maharg Bill had the gambling connections underground.

Rothstein and Attell Arnold Rothstein was the most successful and well known gambler in America. Rothstein’s bodyguard, Abe Attell relayed messages between Rothstein and Bill Maharg. Rothstein agreed to give Maharg $100,000 to fund the conspiracy.

The gamblers bet nearly half a million dollars on the Cincinnati Reds, while agreeing to pay the players of the White Sox $100,000 to split.

Fred McMullin was a infielder who was one of the eight players accused.

Throwing The Game Chicago lost the first game 9-1, and the second game 4-1. After the second game, the players not involved in the fix were beginning to get suspicious. White Sox catcher Ray Schalk knew something was wrong with the pitching.

Second Thoughts After the first two games, the White Sox conspirators were only paid $10,000 and began to wonder whether or not they should continue to lose. Chicago won the third game 3-0.

Unexpected Turn Many of the gamblers bet on individual games and lost a large amount of money after the third game.

Continuing The Series Chicago lost the fourth game 2-0 and the fifth game 5-0. Eddie Cicotte pitched the fourth game and made several errors.

Change Of Pace After the fifth game, the gamblers missed another payment. The White Sox conspirators realized they had no reason to lose. Every player on the White Sox tried as hard as they could to win the remainder of the games. Chicago won the sixth game 5-4 and the seventh game 4-1.

The Threat Arnold Rothstein had an enormous sum of money on Chicago to win the World Series Claude Williams was pitching the ninth and final game of the world series. With his money at risk, Rothstein sent a bodyguard of his to threaten Claude Williams and his wife

The Final Game Claude Williams blew the eighth game, and the Chicago Black Sox lost In the end, Claude Williams was single handedly responsible for handing the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds.