Shoeless Joe's Will and Related Points of Law

       Legendary outfielder "Shoeless" Joe Jackson played in the major leagues for a period of thirteen years, from 1908 to 1920. Once, in a game in Cleveland, a fan took to heckling Shoeless Joe over his inability to read and write. The fan asked Jackson if he knew how to spell "illiterate." Jackson knew enough to take offense at the question. He responded by hitting a pitch to the outfield wall for a triple. Safely perched on third base, Jackson yelled at the fan, "Hey, big mouth, how do you spell 'triple'?"

       During Shoeless Joe Jackson's playing days, it was widely known that he could not read or write. Only with a laborious effort could he sign his name. When signing autographs for fans, Jackson would usually scribble an "X." Inevitably, of course, people in the grandstands would heckle Jackson about being illiterate, as did the fan in Cleveland. For Jackson, lacing a triple to the outfield wall was a satisfying rejoinder. If Jackson had been able to see into the future, he might also have responded, "Hey, big mouth, how much is your will worth?" Joe Jackson died in 1951. At his death, his will was one of the few documents in existence that bore his full signature. The will itself became an item of value, appraised at more than $100,000.