Ted Williams, at bat in Fenway Park in 1946.
The legendary Ted Williams hit the longest homer of his distinguished career on June 9, 1946 off of Detroit Tigers’ Fred Hutchinson. The ball ended up in the 30th row of the Fenway Park bleachers, breaking the straw hat of a construction worker named Joseph A. Boucher, who happened to be a Yankees fan. Serves him right. According to legend, the reporters who interviewed Boucher afterwards asked if he’d contemplate switching his support after Williams doinked him with a long ball. This seems like the last thing a fan would do – Williams could have killed him. But Boucher said the incident was a possible sign – root for Boston, or suffer the consequences – and he switched his allegiance. The next day, the headlines could barely contain their glee: “Williams Knocks Sense Into Yankees Fan”