Shoeless Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson
Birthdate 7/16/1887
Death Date 12/5/1951
Debut Year 1908
Year of Induction
Teams Athletics, Indians, White Sox
Positions Center Field, Left Field, Right Field

Shoeless Joe Jackson holds the record for highest batting average for a rookie (.408 in 1911); his .356 lifetime average is third all time.

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Despite his hitting prowess, Shoeless Joe Jackson is best remembered for his lifetime ban

Despite his hitting prowess, Shoeless Joe Jackson is best remembered for his lifetime ban

Joe Jackson was a natural-born hitter. In his rookie year he set a still-standing record for freshmen by hitting .408. It was no fluke. In more than 5,500 career plate appearances, Jackson hit .356 with a .423 on-base percentage and a .517 slugging percentage. Those numbers rank among the baseball e
The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum remains in Greenville, South Carolina

The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum remains in Greenville, South Carolina

Joe Jackson was born in Pickens County, South Carolina in 1887. Soon after his birth, the Jackson family moved a half-hour away to neighboring Greenville. When Jackson reached the big leagues, he made his off-season home in Savannah, Georgia. In retirement he eventually returned to Greenville where
Harry Hooper played from 1909-1925; he writes that Joe Jackson was

Harry Hooper played from 1909-1925; he writes that Joe Jackson was "unjustly punished"

Hall of Fame outfielder Harry Hooper witnessed some memorable baseball moments during his 17-year big league career. A four-time World Series champ with the Boston Red Sox, Hooper was part of Boston’s “Golden Outfield” along with Duffy Lewis and fellow Cooperstown man Tris Speaker.
Hall of Fame umpire and former White Sox player Jocko Conlan ranks Jackson among the best

Hall of Fame umpire and former White Sox player Jocko Conlan ranks Jackson among the best

Before he was a Hall of Fame umpire, Jocko Conlan was a centerfielder and pinch hitter for the White Sox. His time in Chicago combined with his 24-year career as an umpire gave him great insight into the game’s players. Shown here are Conlan’s choices for his personal All Time White Sox

7 responses to “Shoeless Joe Jackson”

  1. Parker Dulany says:

    I don’t care what anyone says, the only people Joe cheated were the gamblers. You simply cannot hit almost .400 and commit no errors in a series and ‘throw’ a series. Take back the Asstro series because they did cheat!

  2. Joe says:

    Do what is right! Put Joe Jackson in the Hall of fame

  3. Gene Needham says:

    You sir, are correct. He had gone to the owner to speak with him of the fix and he was the one who told Joe to keep the money. After the ban, he played in Industrial Mill leagues from all the rumors. It is said that Ty Cobb actually attended a game just to watch him too. He should be in the hall. No ifs, ands. or buts!

  4. Eshek3 says:

    He changed his story many times over the years. An innocent man doesn’t need to do that.

  5. David DeMarco says:

    This man is one of the greatest pure hitting gems, plus outfielders to ever play! Put him in

  6. John Nogowski says:

    While it’s true that Joe Jackson’s .375 batting average and HR in the 1919 World Series make it look like his suspension was unjust, a closer look justifies the lifetime ban. Jackson batted eight times with runners in scoring position and didn’t drive in a single run. In his testimony to the grand jury, he admitted to botching several defensive plays which while not officially scored an error, were intended to help the Reds score runs. And the only HR of the Series came in the final game which had long been decided. As an illiterate, it surely seems that this incredible offensive talent was taken advantage of. But, as longtime sports columnist Jerome Holtzman noted, “Jackson may not have been able to read, but he could count.” As with Pete Rose, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and so many other wonderful players, Jackson’s actions in taking part in the fix, even not blowing the whistle, should keep him out of Cooperstown. It’s a shame these wonderful players make such lousy decisions. Jackson did wind up his career in style – though of course he didn’t know it was ending. With his final swing, Jackson doubled in the game-winning run to make a winner out of Dickie Kerr, ironically the one White Sox pitcher who was trying to win in the 1919 Series. I write about that game in “Last Time Out” my new book of MLB finales available on Amazon.

  7. E. Powell says:

    Joe Jackson took the money, that was illegal.

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"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball…"

~Jacques Barzun, 1954