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'''Joseph Jefferson “Shoeless Joe” Jackson''' (July 16, 1887 – December 5, 1951), a baseball player banned for his unproven connection to the [[Black Sox Scandal]] in professional baseball, was the finest natural hitter Babe Ruth ever saw, and Ruth imitated him. Far from "throwing" the 1919 World Series to the other team, Jackson put in a record-setting performance that was as flawless as practically possible.

'''Joseph Jefferson “Shoeless Joe” Jackson''' (July 16, 1887 – December 5, 1951), a baseball player banned for his unproven connection to the [[Black Sox Scandal]] in professional baseball, was the finest natural hitter Babe Ruth ever saw, and Ruth imitated him. Far from "throwing" the 1919 World Series to the other team, Jackson put in a spectacular performance that was as flawless as practically possible and not something indicative of someone trying to lose.

Jackson broke records for his batting during the series, and was stellar in his fielding:<ref>https://bleacherreport.com/articles/908953-chicago-white-sox-shoeless-joe-still-awaits-justice-50-years-after-his-death</ref>

Jackson broke records for his batting during the series, and was stellar in his fielding:<ref>https://bleacherreport.com/articles/908953-chicago-white-sox-shoeless-joe-still-awaits-justice-50-years-after-his-death</ref>

{{cquote|Shoeless’ performance for the White Sox in left field was astounding. In 13 fielding opportunities, Jackson made absolutely no errors and threw a Red out at the plate trying to score on a fly ball. Another one of Joe’s throws to home would have been in time had Cicotte not deflected the ball away from catcher Ray Schaulk. If he were to throw the Series, Joe would have made at least one error in 8 games. In this case, not a single botched catch or errant throw. Of the 12 errors the White Sox made, 9 were owned by the other 7 Black Sox. Shoeless Joe played flawlessly in left field.}}

{{cquote|Shoeless’ performance for the White Sox in left field was astounding. In 13 fielding opportunities, Jackson made absolutely no errors and threw a Red out at the plate trying to score on a fly ball. Another one of Joe’s throws to home would have been in time had Cicotte not deflected the ball away from catcher Ray Schaulk. If he were to throw the Series, Joe would have made at least one error in 8 games. In this case, not a single botched catch or errant throw. Of the 12 errors the White Sox made, 9 were owned by the other 7 Black Sox. Shoeless Joe played flawlessly in left field.}}

Shoeless Joe was the victim of judicial activism and collusion by owners.  He was acquitted at trial, but within hours of the verdict and without doing any investigation, Commissioner (and former judicial activist) Landis made him the scapegoat for misconduct by others.  Shoeless Joe then won a civil case against the White Sox, but the judge tossed out the jury verdict.<ref>https://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/shoelessjoetrialmilwaukee.html</ref>  The smears of Shoeless Joe by ''Eight Men Out'' and other accounts of him fail to include how a jury held in favor of him in his civil trial.

Shoeless Joe was the victim of judicial activism and collusion by owners.  He was acquitted at trial, but merely a day after the verdict and without doing any investigation, Commissioner (and former judicial activist) Landis made him the scapegoat for misconduct by others.  Shoeless Joe then won a civil case against the White Sox, but the judge tossed out the jury verdict.<ref>https://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/shoelessjoetrialmilwaukee.html</ref>  The smears of Shoeless Joe by ''Eight Men Out'' and other accounts of him fail to include how a jury held in favor of him in his civil trial.

Judge Landis, the perpetrator of this injustice, had previously been overturned for an activist ruling against Standard Oil.  In agreeing to become baseball commissioner, he insisted on absolute power, and then he abused it.

Judge Landis, the perpetrator of this injustice, had previously been overturned for an activist ruling against Standard Oil.  In agreeing to become baseball commissioner, he insisted on absolute power, and then he abused it.

A recounting of the criminal and civil trials overlooks the significance of how the former judge Landis and the state court judge pandered to the headlines to rashly and harshly punish Jackson.<ref>https://sabr.org/research/ever-changing-story-exposition-and-analysis-shoeless-joe-jacksons-public-statements-black</ref>

A recounting of the criminal and civil trials by a former prosecutor overlooks the significance of how the former judge Landis and the state court judge pandered to the headlines to rashly and harshly punish the high-profile Jackson, whom they personally disliked.<ref>https://sabr.org/research/ever-changing-story-exposition-and-analysis-shoeless-joe-jacksons-public-statements-black</ref> Commentary hostile to Jackson often overlook that he was illiterate, and was deprived of due process by Landis in banning Jackson for life without even doing an investigation.

The [[House of Representatives]] passed a resolution by voice vote in 1999 demanding Jackson's exoneration,<ref>https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-resolution/269/text</ref> and many politicians over the years (including [[conservative]] ones) have insisted likewise.

The [[House of Representatives]] passed a resolution by voice vote in 1999 demanding Jackson's exoneration,<ref>https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-resolution/269/text</ref> and many politicians over the years (including [[conservative]] ones) have insisted likewise.