“SHOELESS” JOE JACKSON BOUGHT BY THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX
OWNER CHARLES COMISKY PAYS $31,500+ FOR THE STAR BASEBALL PLAYER
The New York Times
August 21, 1915
The legendary “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, the Cleveland Indians leading batter, is traded to the Chicago White Sox for $31,500 and three players (although the text article on the Sports Page indicated the price was only $15,000). Jackson, whose career ended ingloriously following the infamous “Black Sox” scandal in the 1919 World Series, was one of baseball’s greatest players. He averaged .356 for his career. In his first season with the then Cleveland Naps, he hit an astonishing .407. Great contemporaries like Walter Johnson (who called Jackson “the greatest natural ballplayer I’ve ever seen”), and Ty Cobb all acknowledged Jackson’s extraordinary skills. Babe Ruth himself copied Jackson’s “feet-together” batting stance and power stride into a pitch.
Complete newspaper, usual browning and such, but in nice shape overall stored flat for years in an old bound volume. A truly rare story and a nice piece for a serious baseball collection.
$850