Ray Chapman

Baseball player and shortstop for Indians

Ray Chapman - Baseball player and shortstop for Indians
Born

January 15th, 1891
134 years ago

Died

August 17th, 1920
105 years ago — 29 years old

Category

Athletes & Sports Figures

Country

United States

Links & References

Played professional baseball as a shortstop for the Cleveland Indians in Major League Baseball. Debuted in 1912 and had a successful career over several seasons. Chapman was the only player in Major League history to die as a result of an on-field injury, occurring in 1920 after being struck in the head by a pitch. This incident led to significant changes in baseball safety regulations to protect players from head injuries.

Played for the Cleveland Indians

Had a career batting average of .278

Other People Born on January 15th

Claudia Winkleman

Television presenter and journalist
Born
January 15th, 1972 53 years ago

Born in 1972, Winkleman began a career in journalism, contributing to several publications. Transitioned to broadcasting, hosting programs on various television networks. Gained prominence as the host of the BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing', influencing the show's format and presentation. Also served as a judge on 'The Great British Sewing Bee'.

Continue Reading

Randy White

American football defensive tackle, Super Bowl XII
Born
January 15th, 1953 72 years ago

A professional American football player, played as a defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys from 1975 to 1988. Participated in five Pro Bowls and was a key player in the Cowboys' Super Bowl XII victory over the Denver Broncos. Played a significant role in the team's success during the late 1970s and 1980s, earning recognition for exceptional performance on the field. Retired as one of the franchise's all-time greats, and later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

Continue Reading

Ernie DiGregorio

Basketball player and NBA Rookie of the Year
Born
January 15th, 1951 74 years ago

Played college basketball at Providence College, where earned NCAA All-American honors in 1973. Drafted by the Buffalo Braves in 1973, had an outstanding rookie season, winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award. During the professional career, played for the Braves and later teams including the Los Angeles Lakers. Known for exceptional passing and scoring skills, contributed to the teams' successes during the 1970s.

Continue Reading

Margaret O'Brien

Actress known for 'Meet Me in St. Louis'
Born
January 15th, 1937 88 years ago

An American actress and singer, this individual gained popularity in the 1940s as a child actress. Achieved significant recognition for performances in films such as 'Meet Me in St. Louis' and 'Our Vines Have Tender Grapes'. She garnered an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'Meet Me in St. Louis', showcasing exceptional talent at a young age. Transitioned to television and continued to appear in various shows and movies throughout the latter half of the 20th century.

Continue Reading

Dylan Armstrong

Canadian shot putter and hammer thrower
Born
January 15th, 1981 44 years ago

This individual competed professionally in track and field, specializing in shot put and hammer throw. Multiple Canadian national champion in shot put. Achieved a notable performance at the 2008 Summer Olympics, where a fourth-place finish was recorded in shot put. Attained success at international competitions, including a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Continue Reading

Pavel Podkolzin

Russian basketball player, NBA drafted.
Born
January 15th, 1985 40 years ago

Born in 1985, played professional basketball and gained attention in the NBA during the 2004 draft. Played for the Dallas Mavericks, appearing in 29 games during the 2004-2005 season. Competed in the Russian national team as well, contributing to international competitions. Transitioned to various European leagues following his NBA career, continuing to engage in competitive basketball.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on August 17th

Radoje Domanović

Serbian journalist and author
Born
February 16th, 1873 152 years ago
Died
August 17th, 1908 117 years ago — 35 years old

Born in Serbia, Domanović became an influential journalist and author in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work primarily focused on social and political themes, often critiquing contemporary societal issues. He gained recognition for his satirical writings that highlighted the absurdities of bureaucracy and nationalism. Domanović's essays and stories resonated with the public, solidifying his place in Serbian literature. His legacy includes both literary contributions and the impact of his journalism on Serbian society during a transformative period.

Continue Reading

William Jervois

Governor of South Australia
Born
September 10th, 1821 204 years ago
Died
August 17th, 1897 128 years ago — 75 years old

Born in England, served as an engineer and politician. Held the position of the 10th Governor of South Australia from 1877 to 1883. Prior to governance, contributed to military engineering in various locations, including significant work on fortifications. Oversaw the development of infrastructure and governance frameworks during tenure in South Australia.

Continue Reading

Victor Poor

Engineer, developer of Datapoint 2200
Born
July 12th, 1933 92 years ago
Died
August 17th, 2012 13 years ago — 79 years old

An engineer born in 1933, contributed significantly to the development of computing technology. Focused on advancements in hardware and software, played a critical role in creating the Datapoint 2200, which is recognized as one of the first programmable desktop computers. This innovation helped pave the way for the personal computer revolution, influencing future designs and architectures in computing. Served as a key figure in the evolution of early computer systems and supported the growth of the computing industry during the 1970s.

Continue Reading

László Paskai

Hungarian cardinal and church leader
Born
1927 98 years ago
Died
August 17th, 2015 10 years ago — 88 years old

Served as a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, holding significant positions within the Hungarian ecclesiastical hierarchy. Paskai attended several synods and played a vital role in church administration and reforms. His tenure included efforts to modernize church practices and strengthen community ties during a time of significant change in Hungary following the end of communism. He also represented the Hungarian bishops at various international events, fostering dialogue and collaboration within the global church.

Continue Reading

José de San Martín

Argentinian General and Politician
Born
February 25th, 1778 247 years ago
Died
August 17th, 1850 175 years ago — 72 years old

A military leader played a crucial role in the South American wars of independence from Spanish rule. Led the Army of the Andes to liberate Argentina, Chile, and Peru from colonial control. Served as the Protector of Peru after its independence, establishing the foundation for the country’s government. Advocated for a unified South America and promoted the principles of democracy and self-determination.

Continue Reading

Hans Gude

Norwegian-German painter and academic
Born
March 13th, 1825 200 years ago
Died
August 17th, 1903 122 years ago — 78 years old

Born in 1825, a prominent painter specialized in landscapes, primarily influenced by the Romantic movement. Studied at the Düsseldorf Academy, where the works of Caspar David Friedrich inspired artistic direction. Became an academic, teaching at the Academy of Fine Arts in Berlin. His work primarily captured the beauty of Norwegian scenery, showcasing lakes, mountains, and dramatic skies. Contributed significantly to the Nordic landscape genre, developing a distinct style that emphasized the interplay of light and natural elements. Many of the paintings reflect an intimate connection with nature, often depicting winter scenes and fjords.

Continue Reading