Did the Chicago Cubs throw the 1918 World Series?

A recently unveiled court deposition from the Chicago Black Sox scandal contains allegations that the White Sox got the idea for throwing the 1919 World Series after Cubs players were offered $10,000 to throw their series against the Red Sox in 1918. (The Cubs blew it four games to two, regardless of any bribery.) So all those times you shouted "1918!" at Red Sox fans, you should have been shouting "1916!" Or at least, "1918 Asterisk!"

Babe Ruth cursed the Red Sox with an epic losing streak, bad Drew Barrymore-Jimmy Fallon movie (Getty Images)

Could they have done it? Could the Cubs have decided to throw the 1918 series, having waited a full ten years to get their second World Series win? Was there a conspiracy afoot to take the quick money over the glory?

I don't know if there was a conspiracy then, but there is one now. It's a conspiracy to put forth the idea that the Chicago Cubs have any choice in whether or not they lose. Far from putting a black mark on the ball club, Cubs fans would rejoice if this were true. The very fact that they decided to throw a game means they may be capable of winning one. We can win! We were right to keep hoping year after year!  Let's keep being fans for another whole freaking century!