- published: 04 Dec 2015
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Carl William Mays (November 12, 1891 – April 4, 1971) was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1915 to 1929. He is primarily remembered for throwing the beanball that killed Ray Chapman of the Cleveland Indians on August 16, 1920. Chapman became the only Major League player to die as a direct result of an on-field injury.
According to his World War I draft card, Carl William Mays was born November 12, 1892 in Adderson, Kentucky. His father was a Methodist minister named William Henry Mays. Carl had a strict upbringing as a child. Much like legendary pitcher Christy Mathewson, Mays refused to pitch on Sundays. He was known for a habit of throwing inside to any batter who hugged the plate. Despite a stellar win/loss record, Mays was typically among the American League leaders in hit batsmen.
When Mays was 12, his father died. Mays internalized his grief, settling into a surly persona. He had very few friends in the baseball world. His best personal support group was a couple named Pierce and Genevieve Mays. Pierce may have been related to Carl, and the couple served as a surrogate uncle and aunt to Carl.