You can imagine the shock to the players when they found out that Ray had died. They still had to play another game, then take a train to Cleveland for the funeral. It is always a wonder to me that the ball club was able to overcome the loss and still win the pennant and the 1920 World Series. 

Ray's widow Katy was pregnant with their first child, a little girl who would be named Rae. Mrs. Chapman never recovered from the loss of her husband. She committed suicide eight years later. If that was not enough, Rae Chapman contracted measles and died at age nine. A promising future for the Chapman family was not to be.

Last Friday night the Indians tied a club record  by stealing eight bases in a lopsided win over the Los Angeles Angels. Rajai Davis and Jose Ramirez stole three bases each. The record occurred on August 27, 1917 when Bobby "Braggo"Roth stole four bases, Joe Harris two and Tris Speaker and Bill Wamby one apiece. I did some research with my good friend Marc Bona of Cleveland Dot.Com on the particulars of the game. Roth, in the bottom of the eighth inning attempted to steal second for his fifth stolen base. Joe Harris swung and missed for the third out. Roth had a great year stealing bases, but the American League leader turned out to be the above mentioned Ray Chapman with fifty-three.

The current day Indians continue to win and maintain their seven game lead over Detroit. Last night they came from behind to win in the ninth when Tyler Naquin hit a sacrifice fly to score Abraham Almonte from third. Everyone is contributing and I see no obstacle to stop the Tribe from winning the A.L. Central.