to even consider offering contracts to either, stating that it is a matter for club owners, league officials, and the Commissioner of Baseball to allow it. April–June June 2 – Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox enlists in the United States Navy. May 13 – Jim Tobin of the Boston Braves almost single-handedly beats the Chicago Cubs at Braves Field, 6–5, by pitching a five-hitter and hitting three consecutive home runs. Tobin, who hit a pinch-homer the day before, becomes the only pitcher in modern history to collect three home runs in a Major League game. His fourth at-bat results in a fly ball caught against the fence in left field. The St. Louis Browns purchase the contract of Babe Dahlgren, who became part of baseball lore when he replaced Lou Gehrig at first base for the Yankees, thus ending the consecutive playing streak, from the Chicago Cubs. Less than a week later, the Browns return him to the Cubs, who then sell his contract to the Brooklyn Dodgers. June 1 – Jimmie Foxx, who'd been placed on waivers by the Boston Red Sox, is claimed by the Chicago Cubs. June 19 – Paul Waner of the Boston Braves joins the 3,000 hit club. June 26 – Shortly after an Army baseball game, Chicago White Sox minor league pitcher Gene Stack dies from a fatal heart attack, making him the first major league player drafted into military service to die on active duty. July–September July 6 – At the Polo Grounds, home of the New York Giants, the American League defeated the National League, 3-1, in the All–Star Game. July 19 – Boston Red Sox pitcher Mike Ryba catches both games of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. August 23 – Babe Ruth dons a uniform for the first time in 7 years for a hitting exhibition against Walter Johnson at Yankee Stadium. On Johnson's fifth pitch, Ruth hit a drive into the lower right field stands as the crowd thundered its approval. On the final pitch, Ruth hit a towering upper-deck shot that was just foul. He circled the bases doffing his cap and saluting the roaring crowd with every step. Ruth and Johnson then left the field together to a thunderous ovation. $80,000 was raised for the Army-Navy relief fund. September 11 – Chicago Cubs catcher Paul Gillespie homers in his first major league