Eight Men Out

by Eliot Asinof, Harold N. Cropp (Narrator)

In 1919, American headlines proclaimed the fix and cover-up of the World Series as "the most gigantic sporting swindle in the history of America." In this painstaking review, Eliot Asinof has reconstructed the entire scene-by-scene story of the scandal, in which eight Chicago White Sox players arranged with the nation's leading gamblers to throw the series to Cincinnati. Asinof vividly describes the tense meetings, the hitches in the conniving, the actual plays in which the Series was thrown, the Grand Jury indictment, and the famous 1921 trial. Moving behind the scenes, he perceptively examines the backgrounds and motives of the players and the conditions that made the improbable fix all too possible. Far more than a superbly told baseball story, this compelling American drama will appeal to all those interested in American popular culture.

Genres: Baseball, Nonfiction, Sports, Historical, History

MP3 CD

Published August 7, 2018

Reviews

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a terrific baseball book. I was involved throughout listening to the reading. I was surprised by the moderate reviews.

[Chris Mirabal · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book. even though im not the biggest baseball fan the story of the 1919 blacksox and the scandal that followed intrigues me. The story of how 8 men basically lost the world series on purposes is still talked about to this day. This books gives great insight to the times and how/why the players did what they did. i would highly recommend this book to people that love sports and want to know more about one of baseballs most famous scandals.

[Quinn Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic baseball book. A little dry but the detail of how the World Series was fixed and the aftermath is really excellent

[John Stinebaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive look into actions that impact Major League Baseball today. A look at each game, the gamblers, and trial, with details only available after the fact.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this highly detailed account, Eliot Asinof reconstructs the notorious Chicagao Black Sox scandal, in which eight Chicago White Sox players agreed to throw the 1919 World series against the Cincinnati Reds. Asinof vividly describes the details surounding the scandal, from the secret meetings, to the actual plays in which the Series was thrown, to the Grand Jury indictment, and the famous 1921 trial. Asinof examines the backgrounds and motives of the players and the conditions that made the seemingly improbable fix possible. A gripping tale of greed and corruption, Eight Men Out is more than just a superbly told baseball story. It is a compelling American drama that is a must read for any fan of the game.

[Andrew Neveils · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is fair, the storytelling good at the bookends, but the middle-third to middle/half of the book was dull. I’ve read much better writing retelling baseball games than this.

Harold Cropp’s reading was very dry and dull as well. I sped up the reading more than my normal pace to liven it up some and to help push through quicker.

I did find the opening set-up to the World Series and aspects of the trial interesting, albeit knowing that it’s largely based on newspaper reports and some interviews. Overall, it doesn’t feel authoritative and I’m left in the same place I began.

[Cheryl L.E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book and I think perhaps with the amount of information in this book and people/names to keep track of, I might have done better with reading a hard copy. Regardless, this is an interesting story, particularly the history of baseball at the time and the many things that led to this scandal. I may take a swing at the print book (pun intended) or just watch the movie.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book, and very sad. It exposes the corruption and gambling that permeated sports 100 years ago. Most of the 8 Chicgo White Sox players were much more sinned against than sinning, and were the only ones who paid the price and suffered from throwing the World Series. Not cheapskate and penny-pinching Comiskey, not the double-crossing gamblers, not the manipulating lawyers. So, just like today.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not really a sports guy, but I knew the basics of the Black Sox, and the line, "say it ain't so, Joe". So when I saw this on sale for a get bucks at Chirp I picked it up. It was an interesting book, and written well. The 'bad' guys weren't always easy to identify, as there was certainly enough unethical behavior exhibited by just about everyone.

All in all, it was really quite interesting.

[Christine B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely more detail than I needed on this topic (book club pick), but also weirdly compelling? I did finish it thinking that everyone involved was either an ass or an idiot.

[Rob McCabe]

Excellent book! Much more detailed and informative than the movie. Asinof did a really nice job of shaping all of the players in this story.

[Amy Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of my recent deep dive into old timey baseball. Enjoyed the backstory and it gave some context to the scandal

[Mark Nicklay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like this story, and the breakdown of the fixed 1919 series. The only negative is the author doesn’t know what was actually said between players in private. Hearsay and assuming what players said by word of mouth, and not knowing who was part of the fix amongst the 8 players.