Bibb Falk: The Man Who Replaced Shoeless Joe

Born in Austin, Texas, in 1899, Bibb August Falk was the classic stereotype of a Texan, standing six feet. He brimmed with confidence and played the game of baseball with swagger. He played three years of varsity football and baseball at the University of Texas before being signed by the Chicago White Sox following graduation in 1920. Falk reported to the Sox that summer without having played a single minor league game. In just a couple of months, he--an untested rookie--would confront the challenge of replacing Shoeless Joe Jackson, newly banned from organized ball for complicity in the 1919 World Series scandal.

Retiring from the major leagues in 1931 after a brilliant career, Falk returned to the University of Texas in 1940 as head baseball coach and became a Longhorn legend. During his 25 years as head coach, his teams won two National Championships, 15 Southwest Conference titles and four co-championships. When Bibb Falk died in June 1989, at the age of 90, he was the last surviving member of the 1920 Chicago White Sox.