Carl Mays

''For the German author, see Karl May

Carl William Mays (November 12, 1891 - April 4, 1971) was one of the better right-handed pitchers in Major League Baseball from 1916-1926, but he is best remembered for throwing the pitch that struck Ray Chapman in the head on August 16, 1920, making Chapman the only major leaguer in history to die as a direct result of an on-field incident (he died the next day at an NYC hospital).

Born in Liberty, Kentucky, Mays threw with a submarine motion (he was nicknamed "Sub"), although it would be more accurate to say that he threw straight underhand. Mays was also a notorious spitball pitcher, even though this pitch was legal at the time (Chapman's beaning led directly to its being outlawed). In a 15-year career with the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Giants, he compiled a 207-126 record with 29 shutouts, 862 strikeouts and a 2.92 ERA when the league average was 3.48.

Mays enjoyed his best season in 1921, when he led the American League in wins (27), innings pitched (336.2), games pitched (49), and winning percentage (.750). He was also noted for his skills with a bat, hitting five home runs, 110 RBI, and a lifetime .268 batting average—an unusually high mark for a pitcher.

Carl Mays died in El Cajon, California, at the age of 79. His descendent, Joe Mays, is also a pitcher.

External links

[Baseball-Reference.com] - career statistics and analysis
[Baseball Library]

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