June 3, 1932. Shibe Park, Philadelphia. Lou Gehrig went to bat 4 times against 3 different pitchers. In 4 of those trips to the plate he belted out a homerun. It was the first time since 1894 that any player had hit 4 homeruns in 4 consecutive at-bats.

The first 3 homeruns were all off rightie George "Moose" Earnshaw, all going over the right field fence 331 feet from the plate in the 1st, 4th, and 5th innings. At that point the Philadelphia manager, Connie Mack, pulled Earnshaw out for another rightie, Leroy Mahaffey.

As Earnshaw dejectedly milled about the dugout, Mack said, "Sit here for a few minutes, son. I want you to see how Mahaffey does it. You've been pitching entirely wrong to Gehrig."

When Gehrig slammed Mahaffey's 7th-inning fastball over the left field fence 334 feet away, Earnshaw turned to his manager and said, "I understand now, Mr. Mack. Mahaffey made Lou change his direction. Can I shower now?"

A bit of relief came in the 8th inning when Gehrig grounded out. But there was still one inning to go.

Mack attempted to pair up Gehrig with yet another rightie, Eddie Rommel, in the 9th, and Gehrig attempted to hit for the center field fence. Gehrig would have earned a 5th homerun had it not been for the incredible defense on the part of Al Simmons.

Though Gehrig had matched a then-rare record in MLB, his accomplishment, as usual, was overshadowed by bigger events. That same day Giants long-time manager John McGraw announced his retirement. (McGraw had vehemently passed Gehrig up - to his face - back when Gehrig was being scouted, so the feelings Gehrig reserved for McGraw were not pleasant; but any intensity in dislike was, as usual, kept under his hat).

Gehrig is one of many MLB players to hit 4 homeruns in a single game, consecutively or non. Below is a chart printed in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. It is the most current list of the 4-homer club, following Seattle Mariners Mike Cameron's replica of the feat on May 2, 2002, which is coincidently the anniversary of St. Louis Cardinals Stan Musial's 5-homer double header (May 2, 1954).