Ernie Shore completed the June 23, 1917, combined no-hitter after Babe Ruth was ejected.
Ruth started for the Boston Red Sox against the Washington Senators in Washington, D.C. He walked the first batter, Ray Morgan, after arguing with home-plate umpire Brick Owens and was ejected. Shore replaced him, retired Morgan on the bases, and then set down the remaining 26 batters in order as Boston won 4–0.
For decades, the game was recorded as Shore pitching a perfect game because he faced the minimum 27 batters. That description became inaccurate after statistical rules were revised: Shore did not start the game, and the first batter reached base before being erased. In 1991, MLB’s Committee for Statistical Accuracy reclassified the performance as a combined no-hitter.
Ruth therefore receives no-hit credit for the opening portion, while Shore is remembered for finishing the game. It remains one of the strangest pitching stories in Red Sox history.