The Chicago White Sox had the worst record in the history of Major League Baseball last year. While last year’s struggles were largely just on the field, more than a century ago, the Chicago White Sox were notorious for an entirely different reason – eight players were accused of throwing the 1919 World Series in exchange for money.
That scandal became the subject of Eliot Asinof’s 1963 book “Eight Men Out”, which was later adapted into the 1988 film of the same name, directed by John Sayles.
Much of the filming occurred at the old Bush Stadium and other locations around downtown Indianapolis.
“What cracked me up as I am revisiting it, there’s one scene where I know it’s the stairs at the Athenaeum,” says local film critic and WFYI Radio Host Matt Socey. “Several scenes were filmed at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. There’s a scene where they broadcast the ballgame through teletype into the cathedral.”
Socey says producers likely chose the old Bush Stadium because it already had a unique look and feel. “Why here? Availability, cheaper production costs,” says Socey. “A minor league baseball team’s stadium is going to cost less to use as a location and the stadiums already have more of a vintage feel. It’s not about money; it’s about playing for the love of the game.”
“Eight Men Out” put Indianapolis on the map as a filming location, following in the footsteps of another lauded sports film: “Hoosiers”.
“‘Eight Men Out’ is one of the best sports films ever made and it’s one of the most underrated sports films ever made,” Socey says. “The cliché of sports films is, ‘Will they win the big game?’ That’s not the case in this film. There’s no happy ending.”
Even though the eight players were acquitted of conspiracy charges, they were all banned for life from Major League Baseball.
Socey says the Indianapolis area has not had a film commission in decades to try and court new film and television productions to come here. Despite that, grassroots organizations are taking up the mantle to make Indianapolis a film and TV production destination.
“Events like the Heartland Film Festival, Indy International Film Fest and the Indianapolis LGBT Film Fest are helping put Indy on the map,” Socey says. “We have a great reputation for hosting these festivals and giving these films a chance to be in the spotlight. It’s on the regular rotation for film festivals. It’s not Cannes, but it’s got some legitimacy and it’s noted on posters.”
