gold star for USAHOF

45. Ray Chapman

45. Ray Chapman
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: January 15, 1891 in Beaver Dam, KY USA
  • Weight: 170 lbs.
  • Height: 5'10"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: August 30, 1912
  • Final Game: August 16, 1920
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1917
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1917
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1918
 
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Ray Chapman made his Major League debut in 1912 with Cleveland, and a year later, he was a fixture in the Indians' infield.

Usually playing at Shortstop, Chapman was a versatile defender who could slide into Second or Third when needed.  Like most infielders of his day, defense was Chapman's calling card, and he would lead all American League Shortstops in Range Factor per Game, Assists, and Putouts three times respectively.  

Chapman was a respectable hitter who excelled at bunting.  He led the American League three times in Sacrifice Hits and is still sixth all-time in Sacrifice Hits.  He could also draw a walk, and he led the AL in that stat in 1918.

Sadly, Chapman will best be known for he died.  In a game against the New York Yankees during the 1920 Season, Chapman was struck in the head by a submarine pitch from Carl Mays. Chapman went down immediately, bleeding from the left year.  As spitballs and ball-doctoring were common, the ball was less than sanitary, and the combination of a dirty baseball connecting with an unprotected skull led to death.  Even sadder, it was believed that this would be his last year, as he recently married and was going to devote his life to the family business.

The Indians wore black armbands in Chapman’s honor for the rest of the season, and they went on to win the World Series.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Second Base, Short Stop, Third Base
  • Acquired: Purchased from Davenport (Three-I) 6/30/11.
  • Departed:

    Died 8/17/20.

  • Games Played: 1,051
  • Notable Statistics:

    671 Runs Scored
    1,053 Hits
    162 Doubles
    81 Triples
    17 Home Runs
    364 Runs Batted In
    238 Stolen Bases
    .278/.358/.377 Slash Line
    23.8 bWAR                     

    No Playoff Games

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Most Plate Appearances (1917)
    Most Runs Scored (1918)
    Most Walks (1918)
    Most Sacrifice Hits (1913, 1917 & 1919)
    Most Outs Made (1917)
    Most Assists (1917)
    Most Putouts by a Shortstop (1915, 1917 & 1918)
    Most Assists by a Shortstop (1917)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Shortstop (1915, 1917 & 1920)

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