Red Sox legend Ted Williams dead at 83

Associated Press ^ | July 5, 2002 | Associated Press Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

This is the way to go out!:

He had 145 RBIs as a Red Sox rookie in 1939 and closed out his career -- fittingly -- by hitting a home run at Fenway Park in his final major league at-bat in 1960.

[jra]

Yeah, Williams was an OK player, I'd think a lot more highly of him if he had been more generous with his time in granting television interviews, had he not taken amdro, or worn all that body armor at the plate. /sarcasm

[Uncle Hal]

When I was growing up Ted Williams was my idol. As a kid I had no idea he was so hostile to the press. I would have not have cared any way. If he had not missed the 3-4 years of playing time when he serviced in WWII and Korea it is very possible he would have broken Babe Ruth's home run record. I have seen statistics where if they assumed he would have hit his average in HR's for the the years he missed because of service and added them on to his actual total he would have beat the Babe in homers. But we will never know. I will miss him

[Renegade]

Really pi$$ed me off at a card show in Atlantic City about 10 years ago . Had a Sports Illustrated with him and Carew on the cover . He signed his name over Carew .. Now I have to have Carew someday sign his name over Williams ...
Really was a grumby old man, even in front of my 12 year old son I took to the show .

[Andyman]

One of my softball highlights was playing a game on a diamond where Ted had played a game in San Diego. I just could not help but think, "Wow, Ted Williams played here." Ted could be the best pure hitter ever, he did not get a lot of infield hits.

[Mat_Helm]

Every young player should read his book on the proper basebal swing. He will be missed. Sempre Fi Ted!

[MeekOneGOP]

What a shame. Sorry to hear that, FRiend......

[Mike Fieschko]

As a member of the Marine Reserves, was called up as a jet pilot in 1952.

John Glenn's wing man.

[Hildy]

If any of you want to read the definitive book on Ted Williams, read my father's book, "HITTER, THE LIFE AND TURMOILS OF TED WILLIAMS. It was the definite book about Ted Williams. He actually wrote one earlier on in Williams' career, but HITTEr is considered the best.

[Charles Henrickson]

Every young player should read his book on the proper baseball swing.

I did. Helped me a lot. It's called, The Science of Hitting.

[MeekOneGOP]

Your Dad wrote a book on Ted Williams? Cool!

[AppyPappy]

Was that your dad, the freeper?

[Charles Henrickson]

Ted Williams is #2 all-time in slugging percentage at .634, second to Babe Ruth's .692. Williams is #1 all-time in on-base percentage at .481 (Ruth is second at .469).

[FreeReign]

...twice interrupting his career to serve as a Marine Corps pilot in World War II and the Korean War.

[FreeReign]

...twice interrupting his career to serve as a Marine Corps pilot in World War II and the Korean War.

I believe he lost three full seasons when he served in WW II and most of two seasons when he served in the Korean War.

[Redleg Duke]

I remember him for being a spokesman for Sear hunting and fishing products. They were good and he was a man you trusted.

A legend has indeed passed. We won't see his kind again...more the pity.

[Hildy]

Yup. Click here

[Charles Henrickson]

In 1941, when he was 22-23, Ted Williams hit .406 with 37 home runs, a .551 on-base percentage, and a .735 slugging percentage. He led the majjor leagues in all those categories. And he struck out 27 times in 456 at-bats.

In 1957, when he was 38-39, Williams hit .388 with 38 home runs, a .526 on-base percentage, and a .731 slugging percentage. He led the major leagues in all those categories, except home runs. And he struck out 43 times in 420 at-bats.

He did not play at all in 1943, 1944, and 1945, when he was 24-27. He played only a little bit in 1952 and 1953, when he was 33-35. So he missed almost five full seasons in the prime of his career, when his numbers would have been at their highest.

What a hitter.

[MeekOneGOP]

That bears repeating:

What a hitter.