Sports History

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Ted Williams, nicknamed "The Splendid Splinter" for his lanky physique and graceful swing, carved his name in baseball history not just with statistics, but with a singular dedication to hitting excellence. His 19-year career, spent entirely with the Boston Red Sox, was a masterclass in controlled aggression and a testament to his unwavering passion for the game.

A Prolific Hitter and Triple Crown Winner:

Williams' offensive prowess was undeniable. He holds a career batting average of .344, the highest of any qualified player in the post-dead-ball era (after 1920). He led the American League in batting average six times, a feat surpassed only by Ty Cobb, and won the prestigious Triple Crown (leading the league in batting average, home runs, and RBIs) twice, in 1942 and 1947.

His pursuit of hitting perfection was legendary. In 1941, he achieved the unthinkable, batting .406, the last MLB player to hit over .400 in a single season. This accomplishment solidified his place among the game's greatest hitters and cemented his reputation as a hitting savant.

Beyond the Statistics:

Beyond his statistical dominance, Williams' impact went far deeper. He possessed a deep understanding of the art of hitting, meticulously studying pitchers and perfecting his swing. He was a fierce competitor, known for his intense focus and unwavering determination to succeed at the plate.

However, Williams' career was not without its challenges. He lost five prime years to serving in the United States Navy and Marine Corps during World War II, a sacrifice that undoubtedly impacted his career statistics and longevity. Additionally, his relationship with the Red Sox and the Boston media was often strained, with his blunt personality and outspoken nature creating friction at times.

A Complex Legacy and Enduring Impact:

Despite the complexities, Williams' legacy remains unquestioned. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966, and his influence continues to inspire generations of players and fans alike. His passion for the game, his dedication to hitting perfection, and his place among the game's greatest hitters solidify his position as one of baseball's true legends, forever earning him the title of "The Splendid Splinter."

Ted Williams Becomes Last MLB Player To Hit .400
Born August 30, 1918, in San Diego, CA, was Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Ted Williams.

Ted Williams wore the number 9 on the Boston Red Sox (1939-42 and after military service 1946-60) for 19 seasons as he batted 0.344 for his career, had a Base percentage of 0.634, with 521 career Home Runs.

William's nicknames included The Kid, Teddy Ballgame, Splendid Splinter or Thumper. Ted was Inducted as Player to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966. He is one of the top MLB players to have worn the Jersey Number 9. MLB Number 9 Jersey

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Baseball Almanac remembers many May 25 occurences including:
1941 - Ted Williams raises his batting average over .400 for the first time
1953 - Max Surkont of the Braves fans eight Reds in a row

ThisDayinBaseball.com takes a wide sweep of May 29 baseball history an among the items in their net are pieces of history such as:
1880 - Boston with George Wright in its lineup‚ upsets a tough Chicago squad.
1905 - Possibly the 1st spitball is thrown by a player named Elmer Stricklett
1916 - Christy Mathewson pitches the New York Giants to their 17th consecutive road victory.


1928 - Bill Terry hits for the cycle to lead the Giants to a 12 – 5 win over Brooklyn.

1941 - Ted Williams is 3 for 5 and scores a pair in the Red Sox’s 6 – 4 win over the A’s. Ted will score 2 or more runs for the next 7 games, giving him 8 in a row.

1942 - New York’s Lefty Gomez‚ self-described as the worst-hitting pitcher in baseball‚ bangs out 4 hits in pitching a four-hit‚ 16 – 1 victory over Washington. They are his last major league hits. Buddy Hassett adds 4 hits as well.

1951 -Indians hurler Bob Lemon one-hits the Tigers, 2 – 1.

1955 - Larry Doby of the Indians hits the first major league homer.

The ThisDayinBaseball.com website provides dozens of June 13 events including these gems:
1949- Three-Finger Brown, Charlie Gehringer, and Kid Nichols inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1957 - Ted Williams hits three home runs in the Boston Red Sox’ 9-3 win over the Cleveland Indians.
1966 - The Red Sox played the Indians in Cleveland and three home runs were lost to the rain out. (Boston- George Scott,Indians -Jose Azcue and Leon Wagner)

The ThisDayinBaseball.com website provides dozens of June 9 events including these gems:
1914 - Honus Wagner becomes the first player in baseball’s modern era to reach 3,000 hits.
1934 - Boston hurler Lefty Grove becomes the first pitcher in major league history to yield six doubles in one inning.
1946 - Ted Williams hits the longest homerun at Fenway Park.
1963 - Ernie Banks drills three HRs including two off Sandy Koufax.

The website This Day in Baseball answers the bell with stories of May 12 baseball history centered on figures like Ted Williams, Red Faber, Walter Johnson, Joe DiMaggio, Sam Jones, Jackie Robinson, and more. MLB May 12