42 Athletes That Died Before 40

NBA | February 16, 2021

Ray Chapman

Ray Chapman played for the Cleveland Indians, and is the only person in MLB history to die from an injury that happened while playing.

Chapman was struck in the head by a ball from pitcher Carl Mays after Mays had dirtied the baseball, making it harder to see. Chapman did not try to move out of the way of the deadly bean, suggesting that he did not see it at all.

Chapman died at age 29 from his injury.