Athletics at the 1904 St. Louis Summer Games:

The first event on 31 August was the shot put, and the betting choice was Ralph Rose, who held the world's record but was yet to win a major championship. With Ireland's Denis Horgan, the top non-American, not in attendance, Rose's main competition was expected to be several times AAA champion, Wesley Coe. The two made a Mutt-and-Jeff pair as Rose stood 6'6", weighing 265 lbs., while Coe was only 5'10" and weighed 210 lbs.

Rose opened the competition and threw 47', while Coe opened with a mark described only as less than 46'. On the first throw of the finals, Rose put the shot 47'1", to extend his lead slightly, only to see Coe take the lead with 47'3". On his fifth attempt, Rose unleashed a new world's record, throwing 48'7", which held up to win.