"Shoeless" Joe Jackson Baseball Charm

| History Behind the Charm |

|Shoeless Joe Jackson was one of the most talented and controversial figures in the history of American baseball. Born in 1887 in Pickens County, South Carolina, Jackson rose from humble beginnings to become a star outfielder, best known for his powerful hitting and graceful fielding. He started his career playing for the Greenville Spinners in Greenville, SC and went on to play for teams like the Philadelphia Athletics, Cleveland Naps, and most famously, the Chicago White Sox. In 1919, Jackson was implicated in the "Black" Sox Scandal, in which eight members of the White Sox were accused of intentionally losing the World Series in exchange for money from gamblers. Though Jackson’s involvement remains debated, he was banned from professional baseball for life, despite maintaining his innocence and posting a .375 batting average in the series. In May 2025, however, the MLB Commission updated their policy so all banned players may be eligible for the Hall of Fame after their death.

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After his professional career ended, Jackson returned to his home state of South Carolina and lived in Greenville. There, he remained connected to the game he loved by playing baseball informally with children (my great great uncle, John L. Buchanan, being one of these kids) in the Greenville Mill communities.

Joe was often seen on dusty fields, sharing his knowledge and joy for the game with young players, many of whom looked up to him as a local legend. Though barred from the Major Leagues, Jackson’s legacy lived on in these small moments of mentorship and in the enduring admiration of fans who saw him not just as a great player, but as a symbol of both the greatness and tragedy of early 20th-century baseball. 

Joe's legacy still lives on in Greenville today: in the 1930s Joe Jackson also opened Joe Jackson's Liquor Store on 1626 Pendleton St; the building still stands and has a plaque outside. The Shoeless Joe Jackson Memorial Park sits behind Brandon Mill and still has a field that Shoeless Joe played on when he was in the Textile League. Outside of Flour Field stands a bronze statue of Joe Jackson, made by a local artist and even contributions of clay from the community! Just across the street from Flour Field sits Joe's old home which has now become a gift shop and baseball museum for the community, tourists, and baseball enthusiasts from all over!|