Hit by Pitch

On August 16, 1920, Yankees pitcher Carl Mays threw a fastball that struck Cleveland Indians shortstop Ray Chapman in the head. Chapman died the next morning. Hit by Pitch is a nonfiction graphic novel about these men, their lives and legacies, and the event that linked them forever. Born the same year (1891), both in Kentucky, they had similar beginnings but opposing personalities. This wonderfully drawn work brings the two men and their era back to life.

Molly Lawless grew up in Boston, where she developed a passion for two things: drawing and baseball. After several years working as a freelance illustrator, she found a way to combine the two, publishing her baseball-themed comic art, including the series “Great Moments in Baseball.” She lives in Arlington, Virginia. Hit by Pitch is her first graphic novel.

Molly Lawless

Format: softcover (7 x 10), graphic novel
Pages: 208
Bibliographic Info: b&w illustrations, bibliography
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4609-4
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8484-3
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      ix
Introduction: Indians 4, Yankees 3      1

Part I: Origins
Chapter 1. Kentucky, 1891      14
Chapter 2. Dolly’s Calf      18
Chapter 3. Carl & the Babe      31
Chapter 4. Our Man “Chappie”!      33
Chapter 5. Ray Chapman: “Famed Irish Tenor”      39
Chapter 6. Collision Course      41

Part II: 1920
Chapter 7. Presenting the 1920 New York Yankees!      52
Chapter 8. Presenting the 1920 Cleveland Indians!      54
Chapter 9. Tris Speaker, Manliest of Men      56
Chapter 10. Spoke & Slim      63
Chapter 11. Ray Chapman’s Last Game      70
Chapter 12. The Yankees’ Wally Pipp in: The View from First      76
Chapter 13. Post-Game, Yankees Clubhouse      87
Chapter 14. New York, August 17, 10 a.m.      95

Part III: Aftermath
Chapter 15. The Mays Residence      100
Chapter 16. A Defense of Carl Mays      119
Chapter 17. Wamby Tells a Tale      129
Chapter 18. Filling Chappie’s Shoes      140
Chapter 19. The 1921 World Series: A Drama in Three Acts      148
Chapter 20. Legacies      179

Bibliography      195

• “Lawless’ evocative drawings, her imaginative and highly varied use of the elements of the graphic novel, her not-strictly chronological examination of the story and its aftermath from a variety of angles, and her surprising ability to inject humor into a most unfunny tale make Hit by Pitch a pleasure to read and a welcome addition to the genre”—Spitball
• “It’s one of my favorite books of the year so far…captivating story…Lawless really goes above and beyond what’s expected with her research and perspective. Lawless transcribes interviews with other players and experts and delivers them in wonderful comic form. I loved it. The book benefits from Lawless’ expression-filled art and clear enthusiasm for her subject…definitely for everyone”—USA Today
• “The story has been told in many formats, but Lawless turns the central characters’ lives and the tragedy that connects them into a graphic novel”—Journal Interactive