n October 1st, fans at Redland Field began arriving for the start of Game 1. The starting pitchers were Ed Cicotte (29-7) and Dutch Ruether (19-6). As both teams were on the field warming up, scalpers were outside the park selling tickets for up to $50.00 a piece. Many dignitaries were on hand to see the game including Ohio Governor James Cox and various baseball owners. Also at the game, seated in a box seat behind third base was gambler Abe Attel.

Ed Cicotte: "I didn't put a thing on the ball. You could have read the trademark on it, the way I lobbed it over the plate. A baby could have hit 'em."

As was the custom of the day, betting on the Series was commonplace. A New York Times headline for October 1st read "Redland Field is ready for opener." The article next to this read "Rumor of Cicotte's sore arm starts real money a-flutter and odds shift." What was once 5 to 1 odds for the Sox, was now 8 to 5 odds for the Reds.

The capacity crowd of 30,511 on hand for Game 1 was treated to a 9-1 Reds victory. Reds pitcher Dutch Ruether struck out 1, walked 1, allowed 6 hits and gave up 1 unearned run in 9 innings. In helping his own cause, Reuther went 3 for 3, including 2 triples and 3 RBI's.

In the bottom of the first inning, Ed Cicotte hit Reds leadoff batter Morrie Rath in the back with an 0-1 pitch. This was the signal to the gamblers that the fix was on.

Years later, both pitchers would comment on the game. Dutch Ruether commented: "It was too easy. I knew there had to be something wrong. I was pretty good that day myself, but there was something in the air."