This Day In Sox History 3/12...

[Lip Man 1]

March 12, 1921 - All eight members of the White Sox who reportedly conspired to throw the 1919 World Series, but were found innocent in a court of law, were banned by then commissioner Kenesaw “Mountain” Landis from ever playing in the Major Leagues again.

The eight were “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Eddie Cicotte, Claude “Lefty” Williams, Charles “Swede” Risberg, Fred McMullin, Arnold “Chick” Gandil, Oscar “Happy” Felsch and George “Buck” Weaver. Jackson was banned for life, despite hitting .375 in the series; Weaver was banned not for throwing the series, but simply for knowing of the plot and not reporting it. The only club capable of facing off against the emerging New York Yankee dynasty was thus destroyed.

 

March 12, 1973 - Sox third baseman and former 1971 A.L. home run champ, Bill Melton, appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

The caption read, “Chicago Comes Out Swinging. Slugger Bill Melton.”

Melton would have a nice comeback season after missing most of 1972 with a herniated disc. He’d hit .277 with 20 home runs and 87 RBI’s. He’d be traded to the Angels after the 1975 campaign.