CAREER CHRONOLOGY

* Dec. 1, 1937--Red Sox obtain Williams from San Diego of the Pacific Coast League for $35,000, outfielder Dom Dallessandro and second baseman Al Niemiec.

* Feb. 7, 1938--Williams’ parents, after learning the Red Sox gave the San Diego club $35,000, demand $5,000 from San Diego as a condition of their son’s reporting to the Red Sox. They pay.

* April 17, 1938--Williams is sent to Boston’s minor league affiliate in Minneapolis. While leaving Boston’s spring training facility, Williams is heckled by Red Sox outfielders Doc Cramer and Joe Vosmik, who say, “Good riddance, busher.” When Williams arrives in Minneapolis, he sends the two a telegram that reads, “I’ll be back and will make more money in this game than the two of you put together.”

* April 20, 1939--The Red Sox open the season at Yankee Stadium. After striking out in his first two at-bats, Williams lines a 407-foot double to right-center off Red Ruffing.

* May 4, 1939--Williams hits two homers in a game for the first time. One of them is the first to clear the right-field roof at Detroit’s Briggs Stadium.

* July 23, 1939--Williams has appendicitis but delays surgery to complete the season.

* Aug. 19, 1939--Williams hits his first grand slam in an 8-6 win over the Senators. Three days later, Carl Yastrzemski is born.

* April 1, 1940--Williams signs a $12,500 contract.

* July 2, 1940--Williams sets a record by batting three times in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia A’s. He walks twice and grounds out as the Red Sox score 14 runs in the inning.

* Aug. 17, 1940--Williams is booed by Boston fans after making an error, then striking out in the next inning. After the game he demands a trade to the Tigers. In his autobiography, Williams says, “The unfairness of it all hit me. I vowed that day that I’d never tip my cap again.” He never did.

* Aug. 24, 1940--Williams pitches the final two innings of Boston’s 12-1 loss to Detroit, giving up one run and three hits, with one strikeout. Catching Williams is Joe Glenn, who caught Babe Ruth in his final game as a pitcher.

* July 8, 1941--With two on and two out in the bottom of the ninth at the All-Star game, Williams homers off Clyde Passeau to give the AL a 7-5 victory.

* July 17, 1941--Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak ends at 56. Asked for comment, Williams says: “There isn’t a record in the books that will be harder to break. It may be the greatest batting achievement of all.”

* Sept. 28, 1941--Williams begins the day hitting .39955, and Manager Joe Cronin offers him the chance to sit out a season-ending doubleheader to preserve a .400 average. Williams responds: “I don’t care to be known as a .400 hitter with a lousy .39955 average. I’m going to be a .400 hitter.” He goes six for eight in the doubleheader and finishes at .406. Still, DiMaggio wins MVP award.

* July 14, 1942--Cleveland Manager Lou Boudreau invents the Williams shift, putting the shortstop on the second-base side of the diamond.

* Oct. 1 1942--Wins first Triple Crown. Yankees’ Joe Gordon is MVP.

* Dec. 8, 1942--Inducted into Navy.

* May 4, 1944--Marries Doris Soule.

* Jan. 2, 1946--Returns from World War II and wins first MVP award.

* Oct. 1, 1947--Wins second Triple Crown. Loses MVP award to DiMaggio by one point after a New York writer leaves him off the ballot entirely.

* Jan. 28, 1948--First daughter is born in Boston while he is on a fishing trip in Florida. He flies home five days after the birth.

* Oct. 1, 1949--Wins second MVP award.

* May 10, 1950--Responds with vulgar gesture after Fenway Park crowd boos him for dropping a fly ball.

* Feb. 7, 1952--Marine Corps announces Williams will be recalled to active duty on May 2 to serve in Korean War

* April 30, 1952--In final plate appearance before going to Korea, Williams hits homer to win game.

* Feb. 16, 1953--Lands fighter jet safely after it is damaged by enemy fire.

* April 27, 1953--Right wing of fighter jet is destroyed by enemy fire, Williams ejects and is rescued.

* July 10, 1953--Released by Marines.

* July 14, 1953--Given standing ovation by fans as he throws out first ball at All-Star game in Cincinnati.

* Aug. 6, 1953--Returns to field with Red Sox.

* Sept. 27, 1953--Finishes season with a batting average of .407 over 37 games.

* Sept. 27, 1954--Announces retirement from baseball.

* May 9, 1955--In divorce settlement, ex-wife awarded $50,000 and $125 a week

* May 13, 1955--Signs $80,000 contract with Red Sox, saying he “missed baseball.”

* June 14, 1957--Becomes first American Leaguer to hit three home runs in a game twice in one season.

* Sept. 23, 1957--Ties record by hitting home runs in four consecutive plate appearances.

* June 17, 1960--Hits 500th home run of career.

* Aug, 14, 1960--Voted player of the decade by The Sporting News

* Sept. 28, 1960--Homers in final at-bat of career.