Ray Chapman was a member of America's favorite pastime well before most of us were born. Perhaps some of us have a grandfather that can recall the prowess of this man on the baseball field. His career began in 1912 at the ripe old age of twenty one. This s when he began making the moves that would make him a baseball legend.
Within his first six years of play this young man had already stolen the American Leagues record of walks and runs. Well known for his ability at bunting, he still hold position number six in the most sacrifices in any career. He actually totaled 67 of them in one season alone which is a feat that he maintains as number one.
Originally called the Cleveland Naps, Kentucky born Chapman played his entire career as shortstop for the team. His short career was emblazoned with highlights that most players can only hope to achieve. In the 1918 ball season this man led the American League in both runs and walks totaling 84 each.
Ray was not an overly big man. He stood about 5' 10" tall which is short by most of today's standards but that did little to stop him when he was on the field. Stolen bases seemed to be his forte leading his team four different times. At present, he is number 6 in the all time record of fifty-two stolen bases during his career.
It was common practice during these years of pro baseball to dirty up the ball in several ways. The worst the ball looked the better it was considered to be. Dark and dingy the baseball was difficult to see, and the ball that one could not see, one could not hit. It was this thinking that led to the death of Ray Chapman.
It was in August of 1920 in a game against the New York Yankees that Ray stepped up to the plate for the last time. Known for crowding the plate, pitcher Carl Mays let loose with a fastball. Witnesses attest to the fact that Ray never backed away giving the impression that he was unable to see the ball, and it hit him in the head. The sound was so loud, that the pitcher thought the ball had hit Chapman's bat and he made a throw to first base.
Totally dazed, Ray was taken off the field with the assistance of some fellow players. He was hospitalized immediately but passed away twelve hours later on that fateful day in 1920. Yet another record had been broken by this man being the only baseball player in history to be killed by a pitched ball. This ended the use of 'spit' or dirty balls, but it took thirty more years before helmets were used.
With the spitball outlawed, the untimely death of Ray Chapman was a lesson well learned by all ballplayers of that time. There was real danger in a practice that had been accepted as par for the game. The eight years Ray played with such success makes one wonder what other records he could have broken.
Within his first six years of play this young man had already stolen the American Leagues record of walks and runs. Well known for his ability at bunting, he still hold position number six in the most sacrifices in any career. He actually totaled 67 of them in one season alone which is a feat that he maintains as number one.
Originally called the Cleveland Naps, Kentucky born Chapman played his entire career as shortstop for the team. His short career was emblazoned with highlights that most players can only hope to achieve. In the 1918 ball season this man led the American League in both runs and walks totaling 84 each.
Ray was not an overly big man. He stood about 5' 10" tall which is short by most of today's standards but that did little to stop him when he was on the field. Stolen bases seemed to be his forte leading his team four different times. At present, he is number 6 in the all time record of fifty-two stolen bases during his career.
It was common practice during these years of pro baseball to dirty up the ball in several ways. The worst the ball looked the better it was considered to be. Dark and dingy the baseball was difficult to see, and the ball that one could not see, one could not hit. It was this thinking that led to the death of Ray Chapman.
It was in August of 1920 in a game against the New York Yankees that Ray stepped up to the plate for the last time. Known for crowding the plate, pitcher Carl Mays let loose with a fastball. Witnesses attest to the fact that Ray never backed away giving the impression that he was unable to see the ball, and it hit him in the head. The sound was so loud, that the pitcher thought the ball had hit Chapman's bat and he made a throw to first base.
Totally dazed, Ray was taken off the field with the assistance of some fellow players. He was hospitalized immediately but passed away twelve hours later on that fateful day in 1920. Yet another record had been broken by this man being the only baseball player in history to be killed by a pitched ball. This ended the use of 'spit' or dirty balls, but it took thirty more years before helmets were used.
With the spitball outlawed, the untimely death of Ray Chapman was a lesson well learned by all ballplayers of that time. There was real danger in a practice that had been accepted as par for the game. The eight years Ray played with such success makes one wonder what other records he could have broken.
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