All-Time Indians: Ray Chapman

Ray Chapman’s story is another tale of what could have been. Chapman grabbed control of the shortstop position in 1913 and was one of the Indians top offensive performers every year he was on the team after that. In 1920 Ray Chapman was replaced by another amazing short stop, Joe Sewell, but it was not because of his talent. August 16th, 1920 was Ray Chapman’s last day on the Indians and on Earth as he was struck in the head and killed by a baseball thrown by New York Yankee pitcher, Carl Mays. Ray Chapman remains the only player to have died on a professional baseball field. The Indians went on to win their first World Series that season and Sewell went on to a splendid career and entry into baseball’s Hall of Fame. Chapman is still remembered with a large plaque in centerfield at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

As little as he played, Chapman still left his mark on the Indians record books and was inducted into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame. He remains in the top ten in career triples and single season steals as well as the top five in career steals.