This month marks the 100-year anniversary of one of the saddest days in baseball history. On Aug. 16, 1920, Cleveland Indians shortstop Ray Chapman was hit in the head by a pitch thrown by submarine Yankee pitcher Carl Mays. Following emergency brain surgery, the 29-year-old Chapman died the following morning. To this day he is the only major league ballplayer to die as a result of action during a ball game. This tragedy had a profound effect on many lives.
In a fierce battle for the American League pennant, the Yankees were hosting the Indians at the Polo Grounds, the diamond they shared with the New York Giants prior to the construction of Yankee Stadium.
The two main figures in this drama were about as different as any two men could be. Chapman’s brief career had earned him the respect and affection of his teammates and fans throughout the league. He always had a smile on his face. “Chappie,” as he was called, had reached stardom in 1917, and had the good fortune to meet the beautiful and talented Kathleen Daly, an accomplished ice skater and the daughter of one of the richest men in Cleveland. Married in 1919, Chapman, following the advice of his father-in-law, announced that the 1920 season was to be his last. He looked forward to being a part of Martin Daly’s thriving business. His best man had been Hubbard, Texas native Tris Speaker, the future Hall of Famer and Chapman’s best friend.
