War on the Diamond

The Deadly Pitch That Launched a Rivalry

The Indians and Yankees, both in a tight race with the White Sox, met at the Polo Grounds on August 16th, 1920. In the fifth inning, Carl Mays threw one of his "submarine" pitches that hit Ray Chapman in the head. Chapman collapsed at the plate. He was rushed to the hospital and died the next day, the only Major League Baseball player ever to be killed in a game. Grief tore through Cleveland and the pivotal moment led to an explosion on and off the field. The Indians, sparked by the addition of young shortstop Joe Sewell, recovered in time to win their first World Series Title. What resulted was a rivalry that would last 100 years.

Cast

Chris Leabu

Ray Chapman (voice)

Jonah van Bemmelen

Carl Mays (voice)

Daniel Salmons

Tris Speaker (voice)

Megan Brautigam

Kathleen Daly (voice)

Jim Abbott

Self

Sandy Alomar Jr.

Self

Marty Appel

Self

Mandy Bell

Self

Sherrod Brown

Self

Craig Carton

Self

Kenny Lofton

Self

Terry Francona

Self