Is 1919 World Series ball from ‘Black Sox Scandal’ key to 2024’s dismal White Sox season?
Say it ain’t so
Long forgotten, the rotting, chewing-tobacco stained, paraffin waxed “shine/spit” World Series baseball was found in 2022, hidden in an old copper time capsule during the conversion of the old Tribune Tower into luxury condos. Developer Lee Golub asked sports memorabilia buff Grant DePorter to verify its history. DePorter subsequently placed the “bad luck ball” near the battered remains of the exploded “Bartman Ball” at his Michigan Avenue sports museum.
Blown off rather than blown up?
DePorter claims he has the figures to prove that the White Sox slump began shortly after the Black Sox ball’s relocation to the museum in 2022. “After the ball was removed from its hiding spot in 2022, the White Sox team’s winning percentage fell to .321,” he said. “They lost 101 games in 2023, and in 2024, and the Sox set MLB’s all-time loss record with 121 losses.”
A showman in a city besotted with baseball!
DePorter has a plan to lift the White Sox curse, and hopefully stop fans from cursing. Put the 1919 World Series ball back in its time capsule where it was found at 435 N. Michigan Avenue. The ceremony will be held on March 18 as part of the 27th Annual Worldwide Toast to Harry Caray at Navy Pier.
Turn it off!
Watching CNN’s Anderson Cooper getting whip slapped, hosed and battered by 16 inches of Hurricane Milton rain for hours Wednesday night as it moved across the Tampa area in Florida was painful, heroic and comedic to watch all at the same time. And ditto for CNN’s Randy Kay, barely able to stand up against Milton’s pummeling wind force.
Sneedlings …
Don’t be surprised if Hillary Clinton winds up huddling with her old Park Ridge pals when she hits town Sunday to pitch her new non-fiction book: “Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty” … The Kids’ Korner! Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin will pitch her first book for young people: “The Leadership Journey: How Four Kids Became President” on Oct. 22 at an event presented by Winnetka’s revered The Book Stall at the Skokie School Auditorium in Winnetka.
FAQs:
Q: What is the significance of the 1919 World Series ball?
A: The 1919 World Series ball is linked to the "Black Sox Scandal", where eight White Sox players were banned from baseball for allegedly throwing the series.
Q: What is the purpose of the ceremony to relocate the ball?
A: The ceremony aims to lift the White Sox curse and stop fans from cursing.
Q: Who will be attending the ceremony?
A: White Sox legend Ron Kittle will be in attendance, as well as other notable figures.
