 Before the Series began, the Athletics were already at a major disadvantage.For the Series, they were without the services of Rube Waddell, who was arguably their best pitcher that year.The reason for Waddell's absence was listed as a shoulder injury from some sort of 'wrestling match' with teammate Andy Coakley, though in years since some have speculated that Waddell was actually bribed or 'paid off' to fake the injury and thus not play in the Series.