Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankWakefield
I think that Mays has been demonized over the years. What happened, happened. Chapman was a well-liked ball player, even Ty Cobb liked Chapman. Maybe start with Wikipedia's article on Carl Mays, then keep reading other articles. As for that 1920 touring team... Would you say that Babe Ruth joined up with that team to capitalize on Mays having killed Chapman? I doubt it.
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Most of what I know about the Mays/Chapman incident--not much--comes from Joe Wood on "The Glory of Their Times" audio. I didn't take sides in my comment, merely expressed wonderment at what appears to be crass capitalization of it given the timing. Mays did have a great season, though, so maybe he would have gotten equal billing with Ruth without the notoriety of the "pitch that killed." I tend to doubt it, but who knows? As for the Babe, I'm sure he was just happy to be picking up some extra cash for the tour; whether he gave any thought to Mays's involvement or had any feelings about it one way or the other would only be conjecture.