But on June 23, 1917, Ruth’s name was recorded next to one of the rarest pitching feats in history – with a lot of help from teammate Ernie Shore.

That day, Ruth was a starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. He took the mound during the first game of a doubleheader at Fenway Park against the Washington Senators and faced the Senators’ lead-off batter Ray Morgan.

Umpire Brick Owens called ball four and gave Morgan a base-on-balls to begin the game. Ruth rushed to the plate to argue.

Owens warned Ruth that he would run him from the ballgame if he didn’t get back to the mound.

“If you chase me, I’ll punch your face,” Ruth said as reported by the Washington Post.

Subsequently, Owens tossed Ruth – and Ruth hit Owens in the head, behind his ear. After players broke up the argument and helped Ruth to the dugout, Shore came on in relief – having pitched five innings on June 21.

Morgan was thrown out attempting to steal second, and Shore set down the next 26 straight batters, earning a 4-0 win and – at the time – a perfect game.

“We will take care of Ruth,” American League President Ban Johnson was quoted as saying.

Johnson handed Ruth a 10-game suspension, lighter than some expected – and the game was later changed to a combined no-hitter.”