Ted Williams: A True All Star
By Derek Bunker
Although I never saw him play, I can’t help but wish that I had based on everything that I’ve read and seen concerning him. Ted Williams was a true definition of a great player. Batting titles. MVP awards. Hall of Fame. But I think the way he played in the All Star games truly reflected who he was as a ballplayer. Here is what are widely considered his greatest moments as an All Star:
1941-Detroit: Williams, after doubling in a run earlier, went to bat in the ninth against Claude Passeau with 2 outs and 2 on. The AL was trailing 5-4. He hit the ball onto the right field roof of Briggs (Tiger) Stadium for a walk off 3-run homer and the AL won 7-5.
1946-Boston: Williams came up in the eighth against Rip Sewell and his famous "eephus" pitch. Not once, but twice did he throw his ridiculous blooper pitch to Williams. Williams watched the first for a strike. The second one he hit for his second home run of the game. His batting line for the game:
AB:4; R:4; H:4; RBI:5; BB:1
1949-Brooklyn: Williams made an amazing running catch of a Don Newcombe liner in the second inning with the bases loaded. This preserved a 4-3 AL lead and they eventually won 11-7.
1950-Chicago: Williams slammed into the wall while making a great leaping catch of a ball hit by Ralph Kiner in the first inning. He broke his left elbow, yet stayed in the game until the ninth inning, going 1-4 with an RBI. Williams had surgery 2 days later to remove 7 bone fragments from his elbow.
One of the other things that made Williams a great All Star was the fact that he used the opportunity to be around other great players as a way to make himself better. If you read other autobiographies or interviews with other HOFs, they talk about how Ted always wanted to spend a great deal of time talking about hitting. Ralph Kiner once said that Williams was the only other player that took a great interest in the mechanics of his swing.
It is fitting that MLB has decided to name the All Star MVP award after Williams. He once said that the All Star game was made for players like Willie Mays. I think it was made for players like Ted.
