ON THIS DATE (July 12, 1943) ... As two of baseball's greatest figures went "all out" for the benefit of under-privileged children. the fifth annual "Mayor Tobin Field Day" proved a tremendous success at Fenway Park before 18,000 fans. It mattered little that the might Bambino, Babe Ruth failed to turn back the years and keep face with his youthful clouting opponent, Ted Williams.

A five hour program of thrilling events featuring the Service All Stars exciting 9-8 victory over manager Casey Stengel's Boston Braves, was highlighted by Ted Williams' prodigious clout into the unpopulated center field bleachers, kept the fans excited. 35 men participated, as the Service All Stars proved that Uncle Sam has some pretty good players.

The game started with the Braves starting at full strength with the exception of Norwood High School's Ray Martin on the mound. The Braves gave the schoolboy a 3-0 lead over the first two innings. However a four run outburst, highlighted by Dom DiMaggio's triple, gave the Stars a one run lead. The Braves knotted up the score on Chuck Workman's homer in the fourth inning. In the seventh a walk to Skippy Roberge and a hard left field single by DiMaggio, set the stage for the "Splendid Splinter" who picked a high fastball deep into the center field seats. Steve Czaplicki tripled to deep center and trotted home with the ninth run on a single high off the left field wall by George Yankowski of the Philadelphia A's.

The Braves second stringers got busy trying to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh with three runs on a Workman triple, followed by singles from Chet Ross, Phil Masi, Tony Cuccinello and Ben Geraghty. A neat double play instigated by Skippy Roberge killed the rally and the Stars went on to preserve the 9-8 win.

The day's activities started when the gates opened at 12:30 and music was furnished by the United States Coast Guard Band. A five inning softball game between state officials followed. Mayor Tobin pitched and guided his side to a 17-1 victory. After the game a nifty drill by the WACs of the 1st Service Command pleased the crowd.

Batting practice from both teams before the big game drew ooohs and aaahs from the big crowd, with Williams and Ruth drawing rousing applause from the onlookers. Ruth wore his Yankee home uniform while Ted was attired in the traditional Sox road greys. Red Barrett served up fat pitches, three of which Williams deposited into the bleachers. The Babe, swinging a bat for the first time since last September, passed up 12 pitches, swung at 10 and missed four. He continued to try and hit one for his horde of admirers, many of them youngsters seeing him for the first time. He finally gave up and limped away to tremendous applause. Ruth, limping badly, did insert himself into the Braves lineup during the game as a pinch hitter and flied out to Cuccinello. The great Bambino certainly outdid himself on this day.

Rabbit Maranville tried some trick catches at shortstop off the fungo bat of Jim Tobin. His pantomime and mimicry with Long George Kelly produced numerous laughs from the crowd.

A reminder of days gone bye as stars from the past made an appearance. Players like Freddy Parent, Hugh Duffy, Joe Wood, Hal Janvrin, Buck O'Brien, Red Rolfe, Joe Dugan, and Maranville all shook hands and gave out autographs. The crowd enjoyed it to no end. The flag raising and lowering ceremonies concluded a fun filled day for everyone