Major League Baseball Player. Cleveland Indians shortstop. Was the only modern day ball player to have died as the direct result of being hit by a pitch. On August 16th, 1920, at the Polo Grounds, Chapman was struck in the temple by a pitch from Yankee Carl Mays. He collapsed on the field and was rushed to the hospital. Despite emergency surgery he died, never regaining consciousness. Chapman led the Indians in stolen bases four times, setting a team record with 52 in 1917 that stood until 1980. He led the AL in runs scored and walks in 1918. He was hitting .303 with 97 runs scored when he died. It was because of his death that spitballs were declared illegal. The Cleveland Indians went on to win the World Series that year wearing black armbands in honor of their teammate.
Major League Baseball Player. Cleveland Indians shortstop. Was the only modern day ball player to have died as the direct result of being hit by a pitch. On August 16th, 1920, at the Polo Grounds, Chapman was struck in the temple by a pitch from Yankee Carl Mays. He collapsed on the field and was rushed to the hospital. Despite emergency surgery he died, never regaining consciousness. Chapman led the Indians in stolen bases four times, setting a team record with 52 in 1917 that stood until 1980. He led the AL in runs scored and walks in 1918. He was hitting .303 with 97 runs scored when he died. It was because of his death that spitballs were declared illegal. The Cleveland Indians went on to win the World Series that year wearing black armbands in honor of their teammate.
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