August 16, 1920: Ray Chapman suffers fatal blow to his skull on pitch from Carl Mays – Society...

On August 16, 1920, Cleveland Indians shortstop Ray Chapman was hit in head by NY Yankees pitcher Carl Mays. Chapman died the next day. It is the only MLB game related fatality. An excerpt from the article:

"Ray Chapman led off the fifth inning and the first pitch from Mays struck him on the left side of his head. He crumpled to the ground. Umpire Tommy Connolly, who was working the plate, immediately turned to the stands. He requested the services of a physician. Two responded to Connolly’s plea. A silence came over the crowd as the doctors worked on Chapman. Eventually he was able to get to his feet with the aid of two teammates, and walked across the infield to the Cleveland clubhouse (which players accessed through center field at the Polo Grounds). But Chapman lost consciousness, and two teammates had to carry him to the clubhouse. Chapman was taken to St. Lawrence Hospital, a half-mile from the ballpark, for x-rays. It was feared that he might have a fractured skull.

A shroud of gloom fell over the ballpark. Players on both teams, as well as the fans in the grandstand, were unsure how serious the injury was. Chapman, who was one of the more popular players in the league, was badly injured and it was reason enough for everyone to feel melancholy.

Harry Lunte ran for Chapman. Tris Speaker then sent a grounder to second baseman Del Pratt, who threw to Peckinpaugh to force Lunte. Back-to-back singles by Gardner and O’Neill enabled Speaker to score with the Indians’ fourth run.

Coveleski was having little trouble with the Yankees. He retired them in order in the first, second, fourth, sixth, and eighth innings. Through eight frames, the Yankees managed only four hits.

But in the bottom of the ninth, the Yankees staged a comeback. Babe Ruth led off and singled to right field, his only hit of the day. Pratt walked. Duffy Lewis, who like Ruth and Mays was obtained from the Red Sox, lifted a fly ball to the wall in left field. Charlie Jamieson raced back to the wall and made a sensational grab for the first out. Wally Pipp grounded out to first, and Ruth and Pratt each moved up a base. Both runners scored when Bodie doubled on a ball hit just inside the foul line in right field. Ruel followed with a single past third base and Bodie crossed the plate to cut the Yankees’ deficit to one, 4-3.

Speaker jogged in from his center-field position to have a talk with Coveleski. The right-hander assured Speaker that he was able to get the next batter and get the club a victory. Pinch-hitter Lefty O’Doul hit a groundball to short. Lunte went the short way, throwing to Wambsganss for the force out, and the end of the game.

But in spite of the victory, the mood was somber in the visitors clubhouse. The doctors at St. Lawrence operated on Chapman’s skull around midnight, and he survived the surgery. Speaker contacted Chapman’s wife, Catharine, who rushed to New York to be by her husband’s side. She was late arriving, and Chapman died in the early morning hours of August 17. Outrage was directed at Mays, who was not a sympathetic figure. Players from the Red Sox and Tigers took up a petition, demanding that American League President Ban Johnson ban Mays from playing baseball again. Mays contended that the baseball was wet and it sailed on him. Furthermore, what was to gain in hitting Chapman with a pitch?

“It is the most regrettable incident of my baseball career,” said Mays. “I would give anything if I could undo what has happened. Chapman was a game, splendid fellow.”1

“It is the duty of all of us,” said Speaker, “of all the players, not only for the good of the game, to suppress all bitter feelings. We will do all in our power to avoid aggravating the unfortunate impression in any way.”2

Chapman’s funeral was held at St. John’s Cathedral in downtown Cleveland on Friday, August 20. Thousands jammed the church or stood outside on Superior Avenue. Johnson, who attended the funeral, decided to take no action against Mays. The Indians returned to Cleveland for the service, then went back on the road to Boston. They played two doubleheaders at Fenway Park. Boston took three of four, as the Indians team undoubtedly played with heavy hearts."