Raymond Chapman, a shortstop for the Cleveland Naps and later the Indians, has the dubious distinction of being the only ballplayer to die of an game-related injury in the major leagues.
On August 16, 1920, Chapman was hit by a pitch at the top of the 5th inning in a game with the New York Yankees. Back then, spitballs and other ornery tricks were quite common and the ball thrown by Carl Mays was reportedly very erratic and hard to see. It hit Chapman so hard, it sounded like the crack of a bat. Chapman froze momentarily before falling to the ground with blood pouring out his ear; he died early the next day. After that, umpires were required to immediately replace dirty balls, although the batting helmet didn't become mandatory until 1971.
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