This day in history - August 3, 1921: The ban of eight members of the Chicago White Sox is confirmed

By Richard K. Barry

The 1919 Chicago White Sox

It was Kenesaw Mountain Landis, Major League Baseball Commissioner, who threw eight Chicago White Sox players out of baseball permanently for intentionally losing games in the 1919 World Series as part of gambling scheme, allowing the Cincinnati Reds to win. In popular culture it's called the "Black Sox Scandal."

As for who was really guilty of what and the extent to which Landis' decision was fair, it's complicated. The Wiki provides good detail.

John Sayles's wonderful movie Eight Men Out also tells the sad tale beautifully.

(Cross-posted at Lippmann's Ghost.)