There was not one single person who masterminded the ideas behind the scandal; it was more a joining of ideas.  Two gamblers, however, stand out above the rest.  They are William Thomas “Sleepy Bill” Burns and Billy Maharg.  Burns, an ex-major league pitcher, was the connection to all of the White Sox players.  Maharg was the gambler with the connection underground.  With large sums of money and even larger dreams, these two men approached First Basemen Arnold “Chick” Gandil with a proposition.