Carl Mays, born on November 12, 1891, in Liberty, Kentucky, was a prominent figure in the annals of baseball history, known primarily for his pitching prowess and for an unfortunate incident that marred his career. Raised in rural Kentucky, and Oklahoma after his father died when he was 12, Mays developed a passion for baseball, and quit high school before graduating to play on semi-pro teams.

Mays' began his professional career in the minor leagues with Boise in the Class D Western Tri-State League in 1912, where his exceptional talent on the mound quickly caught the attention of scouts. In 1915, he made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox, marking the beginning of what would become a remarkable career.

Mays' used a submarine delivery, releasing the ball from below the hip, and was known to throw spit balls - which were legal at the time. He was also known for throwing inside to any batter who hugged the plate.  In his first season with the Red Sox he had a heated confrontation with Ty Cobb for throwing several pitches inside, nearly hitting Cobb.  In the eighth innng, after another close pitch, Cobb threw his bat in Mays' direction and they exchanged barbs. When order was restored, Mays hit Cobb on the wrist with the next pitch. 

In three of his first four seasons, Mays helped the Red Sox to American League pennants. In 1918, Mays enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his career, leading the league with 21 wins and playing a crucial role in the Red Sox's World Series victory over the Chicago Cubs. Despite his success on the field, Mays often found himself at odds with teammates and management due to his brash demeanor and independent spirit, and after a slow start in 1919, he was traded to the New York Yankees.

Mays' legacy in baseball is unfortunately overshadowed by a tragic incident that occurred on August 16, 1920. While pitching for the Yankees against the Cleveland Indians, Mays threw a pitch that struck batter Ray Chapman in the head. Chapman tried to take first base, but fell twice and was unable to get up.  He was taken to the hospital where surgeons operated and discovered a skull fracture.  Chapman succumbed to his injuries the following day, becoming the only player in Major League Baseball history to die as a result of an on-field incident.

The incident cast a dark cloud over Mays' career, and he was vilified by many fans and players alike, despite being absolved of any wrongdoing by baseball officials and the New York District Attorney.  He continued to pitch in the major leagues for several more years, enjoying moderate success with various teams, including the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Giants.

After retiring from baseball in 1929 with a 207-126 record, having won 20 games five times, and batting .268, Mays remained involved in the sport as a coach and scout. He passed away on April 4, 1971, at the age of 79, leaving behind a complicated legacy as one of the most talented yet controversial pitchers in baseball history.