Shoeless Joe Jackson

I was reading Red Bird Nation and his comments about a Rob Neyer article about the 10 greatest players. I pretty much agree with that list. Except for one individual named "Shoeless" Joe Jackson.

The debate has raged for decades did he or didnt he throw the World Series? One thing that most people forget was that he was aquitted in a trial in 1920/21(?). But Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the first commissioner of Baseball went against the ruling and banned all eight players including Joe Jackson from baseball for life.

At age 30 Jackson's career was over. In his final year in 1920 he batted .382, had an OBP of .444, drove in 121 RBI, and scored 105 runs. To go along with that he only struck out 14 times for the entire year.

His career totals are a .356 BA, .423 OBP. His batting average is 3rd all time. OBP is 18th all time. In almost every single one of his offensive categories he was in the top 10. HR's, RBI, OPS, Runs, OBP, BA, tripples, doubles, hits, total bases, slugging %. If you want to get more in depth he finished 1-3 more often than he finished 4-10 in those categories.

I dont believe for a second he threw the World Series. He made a couple of spectacular catches in the 1919 World Series and batted .375. And he was aquitted in a court of law. Who knows what this man could of accomplished if they just let him play. If you compare him to Ty Cobb the only thing Cobb had on Jackson was speed and got a few more walks than Jackson. Other than that they are mirror images. So when i see Ty Cobb on the list of 10 greatest players, i think Shoeless Joe Jackson's name should be right beside him. Cobb got to play until age 41, Jackson was regulated to semi-pro teams and running a successfull dry cleaning business. Forgotten as one of the greatest players of his era.

I know its not Cubs related, its just what came to my mind as i read that over at Red Bird Nation. I am always fascinated with the old time baseball players. Playing the game of baseball was a passion, not a paycheck to most. They loved baseball for what it was. It was just a game. Something i think many of todays baseball players forget or take for granted in the world of "show me the money."