Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-08-18
DISCUSS PLAN TO
BAR PITCHER MAYS
Bost on and Detroit Teams Put
Action Up to Speaker;
Strike Proposed.
BY Associated Press to Every Evening

by Assocfated Press TO Every Evening
Cleveland, Aug. 1S--Hundreds of adj
mirers and friends of Ray Chapman,
shortstop of the Cleveland baseball tlub,
who was killed in New York by a pitched
ball, gathered at the Union depot today
to meet the body
Among those accompanying the body
were Chapman's widowed bride, and iris
Speaker and Joe Wood, Of the Cleveland
team.
Chapman's friends said TODAY that his
eagerness to aid in giving this city its first
pennant indirectly resulted in his death.
When he married Miss Kathleen DAILY,
Cleveland society girl, last October, he
was asked l. he would retire from the
game and devote his time To bus lness In
which he had acquired an interest.
"Ill play next year, for ! want to help
give Cleveland the first pennant il ever
has had" he replied. "Then will talk
quitting"
Boston, Aug. 1s A decision to con-
suit Manager Speaker Of the Cleveland
Americans before taking any action toward
asking that Carl Mays, pitcher of the
New York team, be barred from further
participation In organized baseball, was
reached by members of the Boston and
Detroit teams after meeting yesterday.
Several of the players expressed the
opinion that some move of this kind
should be made as a result of the death of
Ray Chapman of Cleveland, who was hit
by ball pitched by Mays Monday.
Shortstop Bush of the Detroit team
announced that he was prepared to volun-
teer his services to the Cleveland club
for the rest of the season if sanction of
h.. l. Ia a1sa,pol
Sentiment among his fellow players in
dicated that no opposition to such an
arrangement was probable from members
of his own club.
When news of Chapman's death was
received yesterday morning "Stufy
McInnis, Red Sox first baseman, hurried
from his seaside home at Manchester to
be at the clubhouse early yesterday to
call a meeting of the players
Members of the Boston club, who were
team mates of Mays until the latter de-
serted the club prior to his sale to New
York last year, said they felt certain the
Detroit players would join in any action
that might be decided on.
"Ty" Cobb, the Detroit star asserted
that summary measures should be taken
against Mavs immediately Oscar Stan
mage, veteran catcher of the Tigers, said
the players had already discussed action.
The players held meeting at the club
house before taking the field yesterday
afternoon. The petition was discussed, as
was the proposal to refuse to play IN any
game in which Mays took part. IL was
said that the players were agreed that
action of some kind should be taken by
them, but at the suggestion OF some OF the
cooler heads IL was decided 10 ask Mana
ger Iris Speaker of the Cleveland Club Tor
a statement on the fatal accident and on
the action proposed.
Washington, Aug IA suggestion
that PLAYERS of the American League
baseball clubs strike against any
further participation by Pitcher Carl
MAYS Of the New York Americans IN
league contests was made today by st.
Louis players, who joined members OF the
Washington team in informal meetings TO
discuss the death of Ray Chapman.
Washington players took no action pend
ing a decision by the league authorities as
to their course.
St. Louis players were said TO have
favored a general appeal to all Others IN
the league TO refuse to play In any game
where Mays was included.
Chicago. Aug. 1S.-Ban Johnson, presi-
dent of the American League, issued a
statement here yesterday in appreciation
OF the baseball career of Ray Chapman,
Cleveland shortstop.
RAY Chapman was splendid char
acter." Mr.. Johnson said. In all the
wears he was identified with the American
League he was loved and respected by
every one in the profession. In the period
of his connection with the Cleveland team
there never was occasion for censure by
club officials or the executive officers OF
the league.
His tragic death will be keenly de-
plored by his comrades In the profession
and the many thousands who have been
thrilled by his brilliant performance on
the field
Cleveland, Ohio, Aug. 1s-All Cleve-
land baseball fans are stunned and
over the death OF Ray Chap |
man OF the Cleveland team, the greatest |
shortstop that ever wore a Cleveland uni |
form and one Of the most popular players
in the country.
Mayor W. S. Fitzgerald yesterday is
sued a proclamation calling upon Cleve- |
and sport lovers TO raise a Ray Chapman |
memorial fund 10 erect a suitable memo |
rial to be placed at League Park. The |
mayor also suggests that September 3, |
he day the team returns home, be made |
Ray Chapman memorial day.
A newspaper has started "a flower from /
fan fund, suggesting that men, women |
md children contribute ten cents each to |
lay for one flower to go into an immense |
loral offering at Chapman's funeral.