Welcome back to volume 16 of today with baseball. For those who are unfamiliar with what the phrase means. Check out the intro blog here.

Today’s Moment? Ted Williams .406 season

One of the ways I measure some of the greatest athletes of all time is if the discussion of that sport can happen without mentioning that player. You can’t talk basketball without Michael Jordan, can’t take football without Tom Brady, can’t talk hockey without Gretzky and you certainly can’t talk golf without Tiger Woods.

While there’s many names that come to mind when it comes to baseball: Derek Jeter, Mike Trout, Jackie Robinson, Barry Bonds, Nolan Ryan and many other Cooperstown legends; you can’t talk the sport of baseball without mentioning Ted Williams.

Ted Williams is talked about as one of the best hitters of all time. Williams knew exactly where the strike zone was better than any umpire then and even today. The legendary Red Sox left fielder has a list of accolades that can go on and on. Of all the impressive feats Williams accomplished, none was better than Williams honoring his military service following the U.S. involvement in WWII. Williams began serving his time in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps after the 1942 MLB season.

The year is 1941 and the Red Sox were set to play a doubleheader to end the season. Williams entered the last day of the season with a .3996 batting average. An average that would be rounded up to .400, the 2nd* most all time in the live ball era.

Instead of taking the day off and enjoying his first ever batting title, Williams played in both games and went a modest 6-8 and rose his batting average to a cool .406; making Williams the last player to ever hit .400 in a single season. Shoutout Tony Gwynn for coming damn fucking close.

We also don’t talk enough about how Williams was robbed of MVP that season. Imagine hitting .406/.553/.735 with a 1.287, all of which led the league. I’m sure Joe DiMaggio is a good guy and all but fuck him for robbing Williams of a 3rd MVP award.

20 days till opening day!

Ernie El's
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