Lake View Cemetery, section 42 lot 16, Cleveland Ohio
Ray Chapman is one of those baseball players that a lot of people don't know about. People that do know about Chapman know him because of his death.
Chapman spent his entire career with the Cleveland Naps/Indians, starting in 1912. Napoleon Lajoie, a HOF inductee, spent part of his career with Cleveland. Lajoie was so popular, the team was named the Naps in honor of him. After Lajoie left the team became known as the Indians. Chapman was a shortstop and played with the Cleveland team from 1912 to 1920. Chapman had a batting average of .278, 1053 hits, 17 HR and 364 RBI. He did lead the league in walks and runs, 84 each in 1918. Not exactly the best stats, but they were serviceable. Then came August 16th, 1920.
Cleveland was up against the New York Yankees that afternoon. Carl Mays was pitching that day. Mays was known for his submarine delivery.
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An example of the Submarine delivery.
Top of the fifth inning, Chapman was up to bat. Mays threw and hit Chapman in the head. It's said the sound was so loud that Mays thought the ball was hit the bat and he proceeded to field the ball. Chapman died the next day from the injuries.
Lake View Cemetery has some signs out for certain notable people.
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Chapman's grave is one of the most visited graves in the cemetery. It's probably the most decorated grave I've seen there. Almost always hats, balls and bats. Chapman's wife Kathleen was pregnant at the time of the incident. She did remarry and moved to California but committed suicide in 1926 from the ingestion of cleaning fluid. Their daughter died in 1929 from the measles.
