On March 23rd, 2014, Baseball was once again reminded just how the Chapman name has impacted the game. Aroldis and Ray Chapman are not related. 94 years separate their careers. One is a pitcher, the other a hitter. One was lucky, the other, not so lucky! Aroldis Chapman was a relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds who was struck by a line drive to the face, off the bat of Salvador Perez. He laid on the ground covering his face. Trainers, coaches and player surrounded him. He was taken off the field on a stretcher. The next couple hours nobody knew the diagnosis. In the words of the team physician, Chapman got lucky. He broke bones above his left eye and his nose. Doctors inserted a plate behind his left eye and stapled his head shut. He will now have to pitch with a plate in his head as a reminder of how close he came to death. Aroldis did get lucky, he will get to pitch again in 6-8 weeks.
Who is Ray Chapman? From 1912-1920 Ray Chapman was a baseball player for the Cleveland Naps (the team later became the Indians). The 5’10”, 170 lbs Short Stop had a career batting average of .278. He hit over .300 for three seasons and led the Indians in stolen bases four seasons. He led the league in put outs for three seasons and assists for one season. He is sixth all time in sacrifice hits and he holds the single season record with 67 in 1917 (He still holds that record to this day). A true team player, his greatest sacrifice came in 1920.
The day was August 16th, 1920, late in the afternoon. NY Yankees vs Cleveland Indians at the Polo Grounds. Ray Chapman was at the plate. A submarine pitcher named Carl Mays was on the mound. (Back in those days the pitcher’s doctored the baseball with dirt, spit, tobacco juice, scuff marks, spikes, basically anything to give the pitcher the advantage). It was the top of the fifth inning. Chapman stood in the batter’s box. The pitch was inside and Chapman didn’t move. The pitch hit Chapman in the head. Chapman fell to his knees and then to the ground with blood pouring out of his left ear. His speech was interrupted and he could only mumble as he was helped off the field. He was taken to the hospital, where he died 12 hours later. To this day the impact of that game is seen in MLB every game. Chapman is the only player to die as a result of a play on the field. Rules were changed, umpires were told to replace any balls that were doctored. No more substances, scuff marks and spitballs became illegal. For pitchers the changes that were implemented were almost immediate and forever. For batters, they would have to wait for technology. 30 years later, batting helmets were made and established as mandatory for batters to use. (Chapman was one of the main reasons used to support the use of baseball helmets)
In 2014 baseball approved the use of a protective cap for pitchers manufactured by 4Licensing Corporation a subsidiary of isoBlox. The cap is slightly wider and measures 7oz heavier than the standard cap. The protective cap is layered with uniquely formulated protective plates that will protect a pitcher up to 90 miles per hour on the frontal lobe and 85 miles per hour on the temple. The cap has been tested and still only covers 40 percent of the head. It’s a start. It will be available on a voluntary basis for 2014 spring training. That’s right you heard me voluntary! Many pitchers have been struck in the head and face recently. Chris Young in 2009, Brandon McCarthy in 2012, J.A. Happ in 2013, to name a few. They have all faced extreme circumstances in their rehabilitation. All have come back to pitch, with side effects looming, memories will eventually fade but the scare last forever. Pitchers are 60 feet and 6 inches away from a ball coming back at them with an average speed of 83 mph. Their reflexes and a glove are the only thing between them and a near death experience. What does MLB have to do to make this protective cap mandatory for its player and their safety? Ray Chapman died! Aroldis Chapman lived! Another life lost when the technology is available is just plain stupid.
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