On this day in 1920, Cleveland Indians infielder Ray Chapman passed way, succumbing to injuries suffered after being hit in the head by a Carl Mays pitch. That anniversary is particularly poignant today.
On Wednesday, Major League Baseball suffered a black eye. Decidedly mediocre Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Urena fired a 97 MPH fastball directly at white hot Atlanta Braves leadoff hitter Ronald Acuna. It was the hardest pitch that Urena had fired thus far in 2018, and the intent was obvious. Understandably, the benches cleared, and as though to clarify any ambiguity to the meaning of the pitch, the Marlins pitcher dropped his glove and motioned for others to come at him.
Urena was understandably ejected, and handed a six game suspension afterwards. Acuna remained in the game for an inning before departing, undergoing tests on that elbow. Fortunately, he was fine, and back in the lineup Thursday night. Urena, however, gets an extra day of rest, and really does not lose anything. For all the gnashing of teeth and outrage amongst the fanbase, Major League Baseball has handed out an implied approval of the Unwritten Rules, slapping him on the wrist. A hitter is torching your team? Fire away!
That lack of a punishment, and the spineless approach by the powers that be, comes during a tragic anniversary. On this day in 1920, Cleveland Indians star Ray Chapman passed away, the only major league player to perish from injuries sustained on the diamond. He had been hit in the head by a pitch from New York Yankees submariner Carl Mays, suffering a fractured skull, the day before.
In order to change the present and future, we must learn from the past. Let us step aboard the TARDIS and travel back to the moment that baseball had blood on its hands.