Ted Williams, American Icon. Nicknamed The Kid, The Splendid Splinter, Teddy Ballgame, he played his entire career {1939-1960} with the Boston Red Sox. Two times selected American League Most Valuable Player, Twice Triple Crown winner. 6 times American League batting champion, played in 18 All Star games. Lifetime batting average of .344, 521 Home Runs, last player in Major League Baseball to bat over .400 {.406 in 1941}. Named Player of the Decade {1951-60} Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 25, 1966.
His illustrious career was interrupted twice by military service as a Marine Corp pilot in World War 2, and the Korean War. At the age of 35 Ted flew 38 combat missions. This service to his country took 5 years off his playing career.
On his 40th birthday his idol Douglas Mac Arthur sent Ted an oil painting of himself with the inscription "To Ted Williams- not only America's greatest baseball player, but a great American who served his country, your friend Douglas Mac Arthur, General US Army".
The Kid died on July 5, 2002. Age 84.