Commissioner Manfred denies appeal of Shoeless Joe Jackson's ban
The wait continues for Shoeless Joe Jackson and his fans.
Commissioner Rob Manfred has denied the latest request to reinstate the former major-league great who was banned by former Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis in 1920 for his alleged part in throwing the 1919 World Series while with the Chicago White Sox. That eventually became known as the "Black Sox scandal."
The unsuccessful attempt on behalf of Jackson came from the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum in Greenville, S.C. The museum posted Manfred's ruling on its Facebook page Tuesday. An excerpt from Manfred's response: "The results of this work demonstrate to me that it is not possible now, over 95 years since those events took place and were considered by Commissioner Landis, to be certain enough of the truth to overrule Commissioner Landis' determinations."
Manfred stated that he reviewed similar rulings by former Commissioners A. Bartlett Giamatti and Fay Vincent on the matter.
In the 1919 World Series, Jackson hit .375 (12 for 32) with one homer, six RBI and no errors. His story -- and that of the seven teammates who also received lifetime bans -- has been immortalized in movies such as "Field of Dreams" and "Eight Men Out".
Jackson finished with a .356 career batting average, 54 homers and 785 RBI in his 13 seasons in the majors.
