On Aug. 16, 1920, Cleveland Indians shortstop Ray Chapman - the only Major League player to be killed by a pitch - was struck in the temple by Yankee pitcher Carl Mays. "Chappie," as his teammates called him, crowded the plate at Polo Field that day. Mays' pitch was inside but barely out of the strike zone. Chapman fell, got up, took two steps toward first and fell again. Conscious and bleeding from the right ear, he tried to speak but couldn't. He struggled to his feet and began to walk off the field. He collapsed and was carried to the clubhouse. Chapman mumbled, "I'm all right, tell Mays not to worry," before he lost consciousness. He died at a hospital 12 hours later.

Chapman was a popular player who led the Indians in stolen bases four times. His team record - 52 set in 1917 - stood until 1980. He led the American League in runs scored and walks in 1918. He was hitting .303 with 97 runs scored when he died.

Cleveland's players wore black armbands the rest of the season. They went on to beat Brooklyn in the club's first World Championship that season. They donated a share of their winnings to Chapman's pregnant widow.

Ohio State Fair History

In 1928, the John Philip Sousa Band performed twice daily at the fair.

Rebecca Goodman

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com or call (513) 768-8361.