Let's Talk About Ted Williams The Greatest Hitter To Ever Live

Ted Williams was known by many nicknames, including "The Splendid Splinter," "The Kid," and "Teddy Ballgame," but the one he liked the most was "the greatest hitter to ever live." This nickname was bestowed upon him by his fans and peers alike, and it was a title he certainly earned. He was a renowned hitter, often considered one of the most talented in the history of the game. He was an 18-time All-Star, two-time American League Most Valuable Player, and six-time batting champion, and led the league in home runs six times. He was also the first and only player to have a career batting average of .400 or higher since 1941 when he hit .406. His Hall of Fame career spanned 19 seasons, and he was one of the few players to have over 500 home runs and a lifetime batting average over .300. His legacy lives on as one of the greatest hitters to ever grace the diamond, and it's a title he cherished and proudly carried until the day he passed away. 

Ted Williams was born in San Diego, California in 1918. He was an American professional baseball player who played his entire 19-year Major League Baseball career with the Boston Red Sox. He was known for his mastery of hitting and was considered one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. His quote “There's only one way to become a hitter. Go up to the plate and get mad. Get mad at yourself and mad at the pitcher” is still one of the most famous quotes in the world of baseball.  

 I can remember having a long conversation with Bob Grim, a late NY Yankee Pitcher, about Ted Williams. On the field they were competitors but off the field Bob, like so many other players, admired Ted Williams. Bob had a great deal of respect for the way Ted played the game and the way he conducted himself. He told me about how he and Mickey Mantle watched Ted in batting practice before a game. Both agreed that Ted was one of the best players to ever walk on the field. He was a textbook player. 

In his second season with the Boston Red Sox, Ted got irritated when he heard a few boos from fans at Fenway Park. This disappointment in the lack of support from the crowd led him to make a bold vow: he would never tip his cap in acknowledgment of the fans' applause after a home run, no matter how much they came to love him. His promise was true to the very end of his career, even when he hit a home run in what everyone knew would be his last at-bat.  

Ted’s decision to forgo the traditional baseball gesture was respected by the fans, and his legacy with the Red Sox organization remained strong. But thirty years elapsed before he finally came back to Fenway at the age of 72 and took off his cap, perhaps ready to finally make amends with the crowd that had once disappointed him so long ago. This time, the cheers were deafening and the applause was thunderous as if the crowd had been waiting for this moment for three decades. The fans stood and cheered, and Ted smiled, grateful for the support that had been missing all those years before. 

Thanks for reading 

Tom