Fullerton was born in Ohio and attended the
Ohio State University. Fullerton reportedly never graduated from Ohio State. He was kicked out for unknown reasons (he never explained to his family). He was later honored by the university for his writing. After starting in
Cincinnati, he moved to
Chicago to continue his career in journalism. Fullerton wrote in a colorful style, including slang and
human interest elements for the first time in sports journalism. In fact, he is credited as the first writer to include quotes from players in sports coverage. Among his
protégés were
Ring Lardner and
Grantland Rice. Fullerton, however, was also adept at the details of the game of baseball, and made strong use of the predictive power of baseball statistics. He made a name for himself by predicting that the weak-hitting
Chicago White Sox would upset the crosstown-rival
Chicago Cubs in
1906 World Series; Fullerton rightly prognosticated that the White Sox would win Games 1 and 3, that the Cubs would win Game 2 and that it would rain on the fourth day.
Black Sox Scandal Fullerton's prestige made him a powerful voice blowing the whistle on the
Black Sox Scandal. Prior to the
1919 World Series between the White Sox and the
Cincinnati Reds, Fullerton received a tip from professional gamblers that Cincinnati was a lock to win. The scene immortalized in the 1988 film
Eight Men Out indicated that Fullerton (portrayed by
Studs Terkel) watched the series with
Ring Lardner (played by director
John Sayles) and together they counted suspicious plays. In actuality, Fullerton did this with former pitching great
Christy Mathewson. Fullerton's article for
The Evening World, headlined "Is Big League Baseball Being Run for Gamblers, with Players in the Deal?", forced the baseball establishment to investigate the charges. One year later, the eight White Sox ballplayers who participated in, or knew of, the plot to throw the series were banned from the game for life.
Personal life Fullerton was also famous for writing stories about his hometown of
Hillsboro, Ohio. He died on December 27, 1945, in
Dunedin, Florida. Fullerton was posthumously awarded the
J. G. Taylor Spink Award by the
Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964. Hugh Fullerton IV (also known as Hugh Fullerton Jr., 1904–1965) was a reporter and columnist for the
Associated Press. Hugh Fullerton V was a newspaper owner in Ohio and Michigan, and later taught journalism. ==Sources==