Ted Williams
1918-2002
American Athlete

Ted Williams was born in San Diego, California on August 30, 1918. He was a natural at baseball and had offers from Yankees before he graduated. He started working for the minor leagues San Diego Padres. Williams joined the Boston Red Sox in 1939. He left baseball to join the Navy during World War II becoming a fighter pilot.
Ted Williams may have been the greatest hitter in the history of baseball. His lifetime .344 average and 521 homeruns were accomplished during a career interrupted twice by active military service (for World War II and Korea). Williams held six American League batting titles, a record bettered only by the legendary Ty Cobb.