When Did Players Start Wearing Helmets in Major League Baseball (MLB) and Who Was the Last One to Not Wear One?
In the early days of baseball, players rarely wore helmets, and it wasn't until the late 1970s that they became mandatory. The first player to wear a helmet in an MLB game was Ray Chapman of the Cleveland Indians in 1912. Chapman was hit in the head by a pitch and died from his injuries. The incident led to a rule change that required batters to wear helmets when batting. However, the rule was not strictly enforced until the 1970s.
The last player to not wear a helmet in an MLB game was Dick Allen of the Philadelphia Phillies. Allen played from 1963 to 1977 and was known for his power hitting. He was also known for his refusal to wear a helmet, even after the rule change in the 1970s. Allen retired in 1977, and no player has played in an MLB game without a helmet since then.
Related Questions:
- When did Ray Chapman die from a beanball?
- Ray Chapman died on August 17, 1920.
- Who was the last MLB player to not wear a helmet?
- Dick Allen was the last MLB player to not wear a helmet.
- When did MLB make helmets mandatory?
- MLB made helmets mandatory in the 1970s.
- Why did MLB make helmets mandatory?
- MLB made helmets mandatory after Ray Chapman died from a beanball.
- What is the penalty for not wearing a helmet in MLB?
- There is no penalty for not wearing a helmet in MLB, but it is strongly discouraged.
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