RAY CHAPMAN Meaning and
Definition
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Ray Chapman was a professional baseball player who was born on January 15, 1891, and died on August 17, 1920. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a shortstop for the Cleveland Indians from 1912 until his untimely death.
Chapman is unfortunately best known for being the only player in MLB history to have died as a result of an on-field incident. On August 16, 1920, during a game against the New York Yankees, he was struck in the head by a pitch thrown by Carl Mays. Despite initially walking off the field, Chapman later collapsed and was rushed to the hospital where he passed away early the next morning. This tragic event led to increased focus on player safety and the introduction of padded helmets in baseball.
In terms of his baseball career, Chapman was known for his outstanding defensive skills and speed on the basepaths. He was a reliable hitter and played a key role in helping the Cleveland Indians win their first World Series championship in 1920. Over the course of his nine-year career, Chapman posted a batting average of .278 with 1,097 hits, including 97 doubles, 49 triples, and six home runs. His contributions to the sport, both on and off the field, are remembered and revered by baseball fans.
Etymology of RAY CHAPMAN
The word "Ray Chapman" does not have an etymology in itself because it is a proper noun that refers to a specific individual. It consists of two separate names: "Ray" and "Chapman". The name "Ray" originates from Old Germanic languages and means "counsel" or "advice". "Chapman" is an English occupational surname derived from the Old English word "ceapmann", which means "merchant" or "trader". Therefore, the term "Ray Chapman" does not have a particular etymology as it is a combination of two distinct personal names.
