N 16 Ray Chapman of the Cleveland Indians stepped up to the plate to bat. Yankees pitcher Carl ‘Sub’ Mays wound up for one of his notorious ‘submarine’ deliveries, the ball leaving his hand from almost ground level. In the fading light Chapman failed to follow the flight of the well-used and discoloured ball, which struck him on his temple with a crack that echoed around the stadium. He died 12 hours later. The only Major League player so to die.
