Remembering Buck Weaver

Buck Weaver taking batting practice with the White Sox

After spending more than half of his life trying to clear his name, Buck Weaver dies 70 years ago today in Chicago. He is 65 years old.

Up to his death in 1956, Weaver, a native of Pottstown, Pa., maintains his innocence in the Black Sox scandal of 1919, saying he never participated with seven teammates in conspiring to throw the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds.

Buck Weaver in retirement

In that Series, which Chicago loses in eight games – they were best-of-9 back then, youngsters – Weaver hits .324 with 11 hits in 34 at-bats, although with nary a run batted in during those eight games. Only four of his 34 plate appearances come with a runner in scoring position.

Nonetheless, the popular third baseman is banned from the game for life along with the other seven Black Sox by commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis in 1920, starting Weaver’s 36-year quest to clear his name from any wrongdoing.

At the time of his banishment, Weaver, then only 30, is coming off a 1920 season in which he hits a career-high .331 in 151 games for the White Sox.

Weaver has at least one proponent in Abe Attell, the discredited former boxer who helps gamblers organize the 1919 fix with the Chicago players.

“I always have felt sorry for Weaver,” Attell later says to the Minnesota Tribune. “I wrote a number of letters to Judge Landis in which I explained Weaver’s innocence, but of course the judge wouldn’t take my word for anything.”

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