AUGUST 16, 1920 | NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Cleveland Indians shortstop, Ray Chapman was hit in the head while batting in the 5th inning of a game against the New York Yankees on this date in 1920. He died the next day.
Chapman was beaned by Yankee pitcher Carl Mays. Mays was described as having an underhand delivery. Both Mays and Chapman were right-handed so a typical curve would have broken away from Chapman. Instead one of Mays pitches must have tailed inside striking Chapman in the head.
Chapman was having a fine career with the Cleveland Indians – the only team he ever played for. He was their regular shortstop. He had a .278 batting average through nine seasons. He was known to be a good base stealer.
Mays was known to throw a spitball, which was a legal pitch at the time. A report in the San Antonio Evening News of August 17, 1920, said, “The crack of the ball hitting his head could be heard all over the Polo Grounds.” Chapman was rushed to St. Lawrence Hospital in New York. Doctors decided to operate at around midnight, but were unable to save him.
The Indians were in first place at the time of Chapman’s death and went on to win the American League pennant and the World Series.
Ray Chapman is the only player to be killed by a pitch.
Contributing sources:
New York Times
Chicago Daily Tribune, August 18, 1920
The San Antonio Evening News, August 17, 1920
