One of my Christmas presents was the book “Love and Loss; The Short Life of Ray Chapman,” the only player to die of injuries suffered in a Major League Baseball game. The Cleveland Indians shortstop was fatally struck in the head at the Polo Grounds by a pitch from New York Yankees hurler Carl Mays.
Having grown up in Cleveland, I’ve always been aware of “Chappie’s” untimely death and the devastating impact it had on the people of my hometown. A few years ago I read another book on Chapman, the excellent “Pitch That Killed” by Mike Sowell.
“Love and Loss” was published in 2024, written by Scott Longert, who has written other books on Cleveland baseball that I will seek out.
His book on Chapman is a good read, tracing Chapman’s life from his childhood to the minor leagues, the majors and the sudden, stunning end that followed hours after he was struck down on August 16, 1920.
The early chapters focus primarily on Chapman’s on-field exploits, which carry through to the end. Later chapters include his courtship and all-too-brief marriage to his wife, Katy Daly.
Chapman was a terrific ballplayer, an excellent hitter with tremendous speed. He was capable of stunning play in the field, although plagued by inconsistency. He was a fan favorite wherever he played, and he developed fond friendships with Tris Speaker, Jack Graney, Smokey Joe Wood and other teammates.
Longert weaves a compelling narrative throughout, bringing the games Chapman played to life with a nice mix of anecdote and detail. The author relates some out-of-character outbursts of temper that Chapman showed as well as some amusing off-field stories.
Longert acknowledges the differences of opinion on whether Mays intentionally struck Chapman, who by eye-witness accounts froze and made no effort to avoid the pitch. The author, properly in my assessment, gives a few hints of his beliefs but leaves it to the reader to ponder.
While mired in shock and grief over the death of their popular teammate, the Indians managed to win the American League pennant and defeat the Brooklyn Robins in the World Series.
As for Chapman’s family, the story ended in compounded tragedy. His widow, who was carrying their child when he died, gave birth to a daughter, married a cousin and moved to Los Angeles. But she had mental health issues and eventually committed suicide by driking poison. The daughter would die at age 8 of meningitis.
One can only speculate on what Chapman, killed at age 29 as he was entering typical prime ballplayer years, might have accomplished in his career. Its arc was upward until it was snuffed out.
I recommend “Love and Loss” to all fans and students of the game. It’s a compelling story, and Longert tells it with skill, empathy and respect.
The Ball Caps Blog 
I can’t help thinking of Tony Conigliaro, the Red Sox slugger hit in the head by a pitch in 1967, derailing his career, and who died young in 1990. I remember how he struggled when he couldn’t play anymore, and my heart still bleeds for him.
That Tony C beaning was awful. Such promise dashed. There was also Herb Score getting struck by a line drive, dashing his career, too. Tragedies all.
Great review Dan. It’s hard to imagine that there was a time when batting helmets didn’t exist.
It’s staggering when you think about it. It was probably the Tony Conigliaro beaning that finally got MLB to demand helmets.
My first “real glove” was a Tony C signed outfielders glove which was way to big for my 10 year old hand but I loved it while I played second base my entire Little League career. It was a hand-me-down. My dad was a corrections officer at a medium-level security prison and they had a prison baseball team. One of the other CO’s was an umpire and he’d always give my dad used baseballs or softballs…and this once a glove. I loved it. Still have it, and continued to used it up until a few years ago when, pitching to my son, he rocketed a line drive back to me. The glove saved my face…but the lacing, already about 35 years old gave way. But that’s how I got to know who Tony was. Also an article in SPORT magazine, I think.
What great provenance that glove has. I’ll be there are Red Sox fans who’d love to see it (and more than a few who’d make you an offer for it!).
Sounds like an interesting read.