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The infamous 1919 World Series will be covered by local author Charles Fountain, starting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16 in the Community Room of the Walpole Public Library.
Fountain’s book is titled “The Betrayal” and it has all the details of the scandal that led to the birth of modern baseball.
In that most famous scandal of sports history, eight Chicago White Sox players – including Shoeless Joe Jackson – agreed to throw the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for the promise of $20,000 each from gamblers reportedly working for New York mobster Arnold Rothstein.
Heavily favored, Chicago lost the Series five games to three. Although rumors of a fix flew while the series was being played, they were largely disregarded by players and the public at large. It wasn't until a year later that a general investigation into baseball gambling reopened the case, and a nationwide scandal emerged.
In his book, Charles Fountain offers a full and engaging history of one of baseball's true moments of crisis and hand-wringing, and shows how the scandal changed the way American baseball was both managed and perceived.
Situating the Black Sox events in the context of later scandals, including those involving Reds manager and player Pete Rose, and the ongoing use of steroids in the game up through the present, Fountain illuminates America's near century-long fascination with the story, and its continuing relevance today.
Charles Fountain teaches at Northeastern University's School of Journalism. He is the author of several books, including “Under the March Sun: The Story of Spring Training.”
Fountain’s appearance is part of the Author Series sponsored by the Friends of the Walpole Public Library, admission is free and all are welcome.
