Sadly, Carl Mays is not best remembered for his four World Series rings or his 208 career wins. He is best known for a beanball he pitched that killed the Cleveland Indians’ Ray Chapman. Mays was also not the most liked player and was a spitball pitcher (legal at the time) which has not necessarily shone him in the brightest of lights. He was a very adept submarine style pitcher and though he won his share of games he could never shake the cloud of Ray Chapman.
Mays may eventually be considered as the sting of his accident may have washed away. What doesn’t is that he was a purveyor of the spitball and that in itself could be enough to keep him out.
Should Carl Mays be in the Hall of Fame?
Definitely put him in! - 57.3%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 11.2%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 12.4%
No opinion. - 2.2%
No way! - 16.9%
Comments
I was sitting in the grand stand in Twin Falls, Idaho(team
was called Magic Valley) b/4 my game. An elderly man
was sitting by himself and called me over. He said "my
name is Carl Mays, I scout for the Houston Colt '45s.
I knew who he was and knew about the Ray Chapman
incident. I did not know about his great pitching record
at the time. He was a very nice man......
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