Customer Reviews

The Wrong Man Out

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The story of Shoeless Joe Jackson is a tragic one to say the least. Dr. Ratajczak's book examines in everyday language the contradictions baseball uses for Hall of Fame eligibility.

The first four chapters of the Wrong Man Out focus on Charles Comiskey, sports writer Hugh Fullerton, AL President Ban Johnson, and Baseball's first commissioner Judge Landis. As Ratajczak explains in his book, there was no such thing as guilty knowledge of "tossing" games in the dead ball era because the practice was all too common. The best Jackson could do is by playing the best he could.

The final chapter of the book is a trial and Mr. Ratajczak puts on a fictional trial of "MLB vs Shoeless Joe Jackson". The defense keeps asking "Why are Joe's shoe in the Hall of Fame Museum, but Joe isn't in the Hall, with baseball's immortals?"

During the trial, the defense explains how the $5,000 was dumped on Jackson three times. Lefty Williams initially gave the money to Jackson, but Joe tried to turn the money over to White Sox owner Charles Comiskey as "hard proof" the series was crooked. When he was shoved out of Commy's office, Sox GM, Harry Grabiner told Shoeless to "keep it".

The trial ends when the defense attorney mentions that two current Hall of Famers, Ty Cobb and Ray Shalk (two players of Jackson's time) are in the Hall of Fame and Judge Landis/MLB was well aware of their gambling involvement.

This book is a good starter for those studying the mystery behind the 1919 World Series, or for those involved in the "Shoeless Joe" reinstatement effort. Likewise, I also recommend Gene Carney's "Burying the Black Sox" for expansive research behind story.

Put Shoeless Joe Jackson in the HOF where he belongs. The man was honest as could possibly be, played better than anyone on both teams, CWS owner was as crooked as the devil, who BTW is IN the HOF, one of life's true tragedies that needs clearing up immediately by a presently scared and bullied Commissioner. Shameful. The book is a 100% prover of Jackson's innocent. A SUPER-MUST-READ for any Shoeless Joe Jackson fan. I have already shipped it to a friend in Boston, MA.

Very concise, facts only, great ammo for the Jackson defender.