Timeline - 1940s

May 15, 1941: Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak begins with a single off Edgar Smith in a 13-1 loss vs. Chicago at Yankee Stadium.

June 2, 1941: Lou Gehrig dies of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis at the age of 37.

July 17, 1941: Joe DiMaggio's consecutive-game hitting streak ends at 56 when he goes 0-for-3 in a 4-3 Yankees' win at Cleveland. Indians' third baseman Ken Keltner twice robs DiMaggio of hits with great fielding plays. DiMaggio then hits in the next 16 straight games to give him hits in 72 of 73 games.

Jan 25, 1945: Dan Topping, Del Webb and Larry MacPhail purchase the Yankees for $2,800,000 from the estate of the late Col. Jacob Ruppert. MacPhail replaces Ed Barrow as President and General Manager.

May 28, 1946: The first night game is played at Yankee Stadium and the Yankees suffer a 2-1 loss vs. Washington before 49,917 fans.

Apr. 27, 1947: "Babe Ruth Day" is celebrated throughout Major League Baseball.

June 13, 1948: Babe Ruth's uniform number (3) is retired at Yankee Stadium's 25th Anniversary celebration. The Babe makes his final Stadium appearance.

Aug 16, 1948: Babe Ruth dies in New York of throat cancer at age 53.

Oct 12, 1948: The Yankees announce that Casey Stengel will replace Bucky Harris as manager.