Friday marks the 122nd birthday of a legend who was born in Pickens County. He was a man who competed on baseball’s highest level and excelled as few other could. He led his team to a World Series. Despite his team’s loss in the series, he had the highest batting average of either squad in the series. He hit the series’ sole home run, and he played defense with no errors in the series.

In his late life, he was dedicated to the youth of the area, spending endless hours working with young players at local high schools, textile leagues and American Legion baseball games.

Yet that is not what Joseph Jefferson Jackson is remembers for.

Jackson was part of the 1919 Chicago White Sox team that allegedly lost the World Series on purpose in order to earn money from gamblers.

Although Jackson was cleared of any involvement by a court of law at the time, baseball commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis issued a lifetime ban from baseball for Jackson and seven of this teammates. By the ruling, Jackson was supposed to have absolutely no association with the sport on any level. Jackson’s love for baseball and the fans’ love for his talents kept him from obeying this command, as he often would play for minor league or textile teams, using assumed names.

But Jackson’s promising professional career was ended much too early.

He still holds the White Sox franchise record for most triples in a season and career batting average.

Almost immediately, supporters of Jackson began pushing for his re-instatement.

Many argued that Jackson had done no wrong. Although Jackson allegedly temporarily accepted gambler’s money from his teammates, he reportedly returned the money once he figured out what it represented. His stellar statistics in the series suggests that he did not hold back in his efforts.

Others say that Jackson’s “lifetime ban” should have already expired. After all Jackson died more than half a century ago. Does the term “lifetime ban” somehow apply to the lifetime of the game of baseball?

Others suggest that not allowing Jackson to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame when the HOF facility house one of his “Black Betsy” bats, a pair of his shoes, and other memorabilia, is somewhat hypocritical. If baseball is shamed by Jackson, why is he mentioned at all in the Hall of Fame.

Still others argue that Jackson’ ban should remain permanent because of the seriousness of the situation. They note that if fans believe players are taking bribes to purposely make mistakes, the integrity of the entire sport comes into question.

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