There are a lot of stories about Shoeless, but the one I tend to believe was that he did take the money, but he didn't throw the series. It was often said that he really wasn't the brightest guy and that his social skills really weren't up to snuff so it was easy for him to be pushed into things that weren't right. I believe he was pushed into taking the money, which wouldn't be surprising given the poor times and the stories of their despicably greedy owner Comiskey, but I don't believe he threw the game. Should he be banned for even just taking the money? Maybe, but I couldn't do it.
I read somewhere that Landis felt justified in banning all eight even if not all threw the series because just knowing about the fix and not saying anything was just as bad. That's a pretty compelling argument, but I still couldn't. Am I being hypocritical considering how I feel about more recent players? Maybe, but I think I'm just more sympathetic.
Quote:
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In 1933, the Jacksons moved back to Greenville, South Carolina. After first opening a barbecue restaurant, Jackson and his wife opened "Joe Jackson's Liquor Store," which they operated until his death. One of the better known stories of Jackson's post-major league life took place at his liquor store. Ty Cobb and sportswriter Grantland Rice entered the store to shop. After Cobb finished his purchase, he asked Jackson: "Don't you know me, Joe?" Jackson replied: "Sure, I know you, Ty, but I wasn't sure you wanted to speak to me. A lot of them don't."
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Reading that was sad.
BTW, Eight Men Out is, I think, my favourite baseball movie with Bull Durham second.