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  4. 16
  5. Ray Chapman

Events on August 16 in history

Ray Chapman
1920Aug, 16

Ray Chapman of the Cleveland Indians is hit on the head by a fastball thrown by Carl Mays of the New York Yankees, and dies early the next day. Chapman was the second player to die from injuries sustained in a Major League Baseball game, the first being Doc Powers in 1909.

Raymond Johnson Chapman (January 15, 1891 – August 17, 1920) was an American baseball player. He spent his entire career as a shortstop for the Cleveland Indians.

Chapman was hit in the head by a pitch thrown by pitcher Carl Mays and died 12 hours later. He is the only player to die directly from an injury received during a major league game. His death led baseball to establish a rule requiring umpires to replace the ball whenever it becomes dirty. Chapman's death and sanitary concerns also led to the ban on spitballs after the 1920 season. Chapman's death was one of the examples cited to justify the wearing of batting helmets. However, it took over 30 years to adopt the rule that required their use.

References

  • Ray Chapman
  • Cleveland Indians
  • Fastball
  • Carl Mays
  • New York Yankees
  • Major League Baseball
  • Doc Powers

Choose Another Date

Events on 1920

  • 19Jan

    League of Nations

    The United States Senate votes against joining the League of Nations.
  • 8Mar

    Arab

    The Arab Kingdom of Syria, the first modern Arab state to come into existence, is established.
  • 19Mar

    Treaty of Versailles

    The United States Senate rejects the Treaty of Versailles for the second time (the first time was on November 19, 1919).
  • 28Apr

    Soviet Union

    Azerbaijan is added to the Soviet Union.
  • 25Oct

    Sinn Féin

    After 74 days on hunger strike in Brixton Prison, England, the Sinn Féin Lord Mayor of Cork, Terence MacSwiney dies.

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