Shoeless: The Life and Times of Joe Jackson

by David L. Fleitz

"Shoeless" Joe Jackson was one of baseball's greatest hitters and most colorful players. Born Joseph Jefferson Wofford Jackson on July 16, 1888, in Pickens County, South Carolina, Jackson went to work in a textile mill when he was around six years old, and got his start in baseball playing for the Brandon Mill team at the age of 13 earning $2.50 a game. He emerged as the star of the team and a favorite of fans with his hitting and throwing abilities, and moved up to play in the Carolina Association, where he received his nickname "Shoeless" because the blisters on his feet forced him to play in his stockings. He then made his move to the major leagues, signing on with the Philadelphia Athletics and rising to fame. This work chronicles Jackson's life from his poor beginnings to his involvement in the scandal surrounding the 1919 World Series to his life after baseball and his death December 5, 1951, with most of the work focusing on his baseball career.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Biography, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2001

Reviews

[Suzanne Manners · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not much of a sports fan, but I love to read memoirs and biographies. Joe Jackson went from rags to riches, so to speak, and his story was quite interesting … involving scandal and speculation. Joe was born in 1887 and went to work at a textile mill at the age of seven. He never had a chance to attend school or learn to read and write. Times were certainly hard, especially living in a large family. Everyone had to work to help ends meet. As Joe got older he began playing baseball with the mill league and soon started to be recognized for his talent. He was an extraordinary hitter and led his team to many victories. Joe got his name “Shoeless” when he played in his stocking feet once, after his new shoes began rubbing blisters. He took a job with the Carolina minor leagues and started making more money than he ever did at the mill. Then he was recruited for the major league as a player for the Chicago White Sox.

The author detailed much of Joe's career on the baseball field with play-by-play accounts. These parts lost me since I don't know a lot about the game or players. I did recognize Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth … both crossed paths with Joe from time to time. The interesting parts where the personal struggles and life he lived with his wife and family. Joe's wife managed all his contracts and helped him when reading and writing were concerned. There was one contract he signed without her review that locked him in at a much lower pay scale than he could have made if he had negotiated better. At the time Comiskey, owner of the White Sox, was under paying his team and becoming rich off the profits.

Feeling cheated, Joe along with several other players were easily enticed into throwing the World Series (1919). The bookie gangsters they were dealing with promised a payoff of $20,000 each. When the White Sox lost the game, Joe was only given $5,000 of the promised take. The loss caused quite an uproar and within a year things were exposed. Joe was technically not found guilty, but he was banned from baseball and never made the Baseball Hall of Fame, despite his outstanding record. Joe lived his final years owning and managing a dry cleaning business and a liquor store. His legend continues to live on and the dispute over his guilt in the Series fix continues to be debated. The ghosts of Joe and the other banned players were even immortalized in the popular movie Field of Dreams.

[Joe Santoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just the sort of format I want out of a baseball book. The author tells the story of Shoeless Joe with facts, and discusses the popular legends that exist in the context of actual verifiable evidence.

There are times when such a presentation gets bogged down and boring, but in this case they were fashioned into a solid, coherent narrative that makes one have a real sense of the man and his life.

The only compaint I have is that Mr. Fleitz promises an opinion on whether he things Jackson should be in the Hall of Fame, then doesn't really give one. He opines (probably correctly, based on his book) that Jackson didn't care one way or the other, and lays out the case extremely well as to the extent of his involvement in the scandal, but doesn't ACTUALLY give an opinion.

Otherwise, this is an excellent book on a great topic.. I'd definitely happily read another book by the author.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, well-written, and even-keeled. The best part is that he has no interest in promoting a particular reinstatement/Hall of Fame perspective. It's clear that Joe Jackson knew exactly what he was doing, likely helped to throw games despite his denials, and his main regret was only getting $5,000 instead of the $20,000 he demanded (and not getting it up front like Eddie Cicotte).

It's amazing to think of an illiterate superstar player--he had multiple offers of tutoring but turned them all down. He had his wife Katie read at least most things (though famously not his final contract with the hated 10-day clause in it). Overall, he likely would've done better if he had consulted with her first...

[Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting look at Shoeless Joe Jackson's life. Presents the person and not just the ball player. A good discussion of Jackson's case to be eligible for the Hall of Fame. I agree he should not as he did throw games. A very talented player.

[Jeremiah Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly interesting, well researched, and insightful.

[Chris McCormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of Joe’s life with interesting tidbits and elaboration from the author. A great book to begin learning about Joe

[Charles Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read that didn't take sides.

[Drew Zagorski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having grown up blocks from Comiskey and being a die-hard Sox fan, most of what I'd known of Joe Jackson was the myth, and how Comiskey's tightwad ways played into the throwing of the Series. That's about all I'll share on that so as not to be a spoiler. But the reason I chose this book was to learn more about what happened after the 1919 Series. This book delivered that and a whole lot more about his life prior to and during his playing days. Fleitz's narrative was very easy to read, though at times felt more like a listing of fact A, fact B, fact C. All in all, if you've got an interest in the times and aftermath of the 1919 Series, or are a Sox fan looking for a good read, this is a safe bet!

[Maryann Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at Shoeless Joe Jackson ... the man, the baseball player, and one of the men involved in "fixing" the 1919 World Series. This book is filled with a lot of stats, but you can skim those and get to the meat of the book which revolves around Jackson ... his childhood, start in the majors, the fact that he couldn't read or write ... and the scandal that destroyed his baseball career and his reputation. Wow ... his stats are incredible and he was actually MLB's first real power hitter. Like him or not, Shoeless Joe was a force to be reckoned with at the plate - and in the outfield.

[Ken Heard · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could write a baseball book, this would be it. This is a great read about Joe Jackson, and the events leading up to his banishment for baseball for allegedly gambling on the 1919 World Series. I say 'allegedly' because Fleitz does not make any editorial statements and just presents facts from court documents, newspaper accounts, biographies of other players, etc. There is so much more to Jackson than that ill-fated Wold Series, and Fleitz captures it all.

I totally enjoyed this and would recommend it to any baseball fan.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading so many books dealing with the Black Sox I wanted more info on Shoeless Joe Jackson. He and Buck Weaver were the two I found the most interesting. This is a very involved bio on his book and gives me some insight into his character. Almost all books I've read [including Ty Cobb's:] left me with the impression that he died broken and destitute. Not so! The liquor store Ty said he worked in was owned by him- along with a restaurant down the street. Somehow the other books left that out!

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but after reading it I do not think Shoeless Joe should be in the hall of fame. He was in on the fix and took 5,000.00 for his part. He was a great player and he should not have done what he did but he did. He has to suffer the consequences. Poor Buck Weaver took no money but because he did not inform his bosses that there was a fix on he was banished from the game. You pay a price for wrong doing.

[Yofish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a good bit about the era and about Jackson himself. But the author seemed a little stilted as a writer. A little too much of a fan, even sycophantic. And much of the book is just a recitation of game after game during a season, and streak after streak.

(Really 3.5)

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the movie and thought that was cute and so found this book on my bus and started reading it since no one has claimed it yet. It was a book that told the story just like the movie "Field of Dreams" and I like that movie, too. A good book for anyone.

[Kim Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-balanced telling of the controversial tale of Joe Jackson. Author provides fairness and well-documented support for Jackson's involvement, and the limits of it, in the Black Sox scandal. Great baseball read.

[Jim Noyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good recount of a misunderstood man. overall, he was one great ballplayer who was manipulated by many. even though he probably did take the money, he belongs in the hall of fame.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great read . I have always wanted to know more about his man ever since I saw field of dreams.

[Billy Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story with a lot of information I was not aware of.

[Chad Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Did not sugar coat Joe's involvement in the scandal.