August 16, 1920: MLB’s Only On-Field Death – Ray Chapman’s Tragic End

On August 16, 1920, baseball witnessed one of its most tragic moments. During a game between the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees at the Polo Grounds, Indians shortstop Ray Chapman was struck in the head by a pitch thrown by Yankees pitcher Carl Mays.

At that time, pitchers often altered the baseballs by rubbing them with dirt, licorice, and tobacco juice, or by scuffing and cutting them, which made the balls difficult to see and caused them to move unpredictably. These practices resulted in a worn, discolored ball that softened as the game went on, making it nearly invisible to batters. Mays, known for his submarine-style delivery, threw one of these pitches, which struck Chapman in the left temple. The impact was so loud that many thought the ball had hit Chapman’s bat, leading Mays to field it and throw to first base as if it were a routine play.

Umpire Tommy Connolly noticed blood trickling from Chapman’s left ear and urgently called for medical help. Tris Speaker, who had been waiting on deck, rushed to his fallen teammate, with players from both teams soon joining him. Mays, realizing the severity of the situation after making the throw, stood in shock near the mound. Chapman made an attempt to stand but collapsed moments later. As his teammates helped him off the field, he faintly murmured, “I’m okay; tell Mays not to worry… the ring… Katie’s ring,” before slipping into unconsciousness.

Chapman was rushed to St. Lawrence Hospital, close to the Polo Grounds, where doctors determined that he had suffered a skull fracture. Despite emergency surgery to alleviate the pressure on his brain, Chapman passed away early the next morning, at 4:40 a.m. His pregnant wife, Katie, who had hurried from Cleveland to be by his side, arrived at the hospital only to be informed that her husband had died, causing her to faint from the shock.

Thousands of mourners gathered at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland to pay their respects during Chapman’s funeral. He was later laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery. For the rest of the season, the Cleveland players wore black armbands in his honor, and they went on to win the 1920 World Series, dedicating their victory to Chapman.

Ray Chapman remains the only Major League Baseball player to die as a result of an on-field injury. His death prompted changes in the game, including the introduction of rules requiring fresh, clean baseballs to be used during games to improve batter visibility. Additionally, his death contributed to the eventual adoption of batting helmets, although it would take many more years for them to become mandatory.

Chapman’s tragic passing serves as a poignant reminder of the risks associated with the sport and underscores the importance of safety measures in protecting players today.