Ray Chapman Essentials
Positions: Shortstop, Second Baseman and Third Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
5-10, 170lb (178cm, 77kg)
Born: January 15, 1891 in Beaver Dam, KY
Died: August 17, 1920 in New York, NY
Buried: Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, OH
Debut: August 30, 1912 (3,777th in major league history)
vs. CHW 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game: August 16, 1920
vs. NYY 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1912 season
Full Name: Raymond Johnson Chapman
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View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Nine Players Who Debuted in 1912
Rabbit Maranville
Cy Williams
Del Pratt
Bobby Veach
Ray Schalk
Casey Stengel
Buck Weaver
Ray Chapman
Herb Pennock
All-Time Teammate Team
Coming Soon
Notable Events and Chronology for Ray Chapman
Ray Chapman
Replaced By
After Chapman’s terrible death, the Indians called Joe Sewell up to take his place at short. Sewell batted .329 with 12 RBI in 22 games down the stretch as the Tribe nosed out the White Sox for the pennant. The youngster struggled in the Series but Cleveland still won their first title. Sewell earned his spot at shortstop and won over Cleveland fans with his batting skills. In 1923, 1924, 1925 and 1927 he finished in the top ten in MVP voting. He hit .320 in his eleven seasons with Cleveland and only Harry Heilmann and Babe Ruth had more hits from 1920-1930. After three seasons with the Yankees, Sewell retired and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1977, assuming a station in baseball history that it seemed Chapman was destined for.
Best Season
Chapman was playing the best baseball of his career when he fell to the beaning. He was hitting .303 with a .380 OBP and was on pace to set career-highs in runs, doubles, homers, RBI, and hits. His only challengers for best shortstop in the American League were Roger Peckinpaugh and Deacon Scott.
Factoid 1
On June 20, 1914, Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman committed four errors in the fifth inning, tying a ML record.
Strengths
His defensive range and his patience at the plate.
Weaknesses
Power
The Roller Coaster 1917 Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians of 1917 finished in third place, well back of the Chicago White Sox, but they were an interesting team. They won 32 of their last 47 games to finish 88-66. From August 31 to September 24, they won 17 of 20 to race past the Detroit Tigers in the standings. During a ten-game winning streak through September 24, Chapman batted .517 with four steals of home.
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