Ted Williams Timeline

(1918 - 2002)

Ted Williams (1918–2002) was an American professional baseball player widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters in Major League Baseball history. Known as 'The Kid' and 'The Splendid Splinter,' he spent his entire 19-year career with the Boston Red Sox, twice interrupted by military service in World War II and the Korean War. He was the last MLB player to bat over .400 in a single season (.406 in 1941) and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early Life

Born in San Diego, California

Aug 30, 1918

Theodore Samuel Williams was born in San Diego, California, to Samuel Stuart Williams and May Venzer. Growing up in a modest household, he developed an early love for baseball, practicing obsessively in San Diego's playgrounds and sandlots.

Attends Herbert Hoover High School and stars as a hitter

Sep 1934 - Jun 1936

Williams attended Herbert Hoover High School in San Diego, where he played baseball and American Legion ball. His remarkable hitting ability drew the attention of major league scouts while he was still a teenager.

Signs with the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League

1936

Before finishing high school, Williams signed with his hometown San Diego Padres minor league team. He quickly impressed with his hitting prowess, batting .271 in 1936 and .366 in 1937.

Image source: San Diego Padres (PCL)

Marries Doris Soule

May 4, 1948

Williams married model Doris Soule, with whom he had his first daughter, Barbara Joyce 'Bobbi Jo' Williams. The marriage ended in divorce in 1954.

Image source: Ted Williams

Baseball Career

Signed by the Boston Red Sox

Dec 8, 1938

Boston Red Sox general manager Eddie Collins acquired Williams' contract from the San Diego Padres. He was assigned to Minneapolis Millers of the American Association, where he batted .366 and won the Triple Crown in 1938.

Major league debut with the Boston Red Sox

Apr 20, 1939

Williams made his MLB debut at Yankee Stadium, going 1-for-4. In his rookie season he hit .327 with 31 home runs and 145 RBIs, establishing himself as one of baseball's premier hitters.

First All-Star Game selection

Jul 11, 1939

As a rookie, Williams was selected to his first All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, beginning a streak that would make him a perennial midsummer classic participant throughout his career.

Image source: 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Bats .406 — last .400 season in MLB history

Sep 28, 1941

On the final day of the 1941 season, manager Joe Cronin offered Williams a chance to sit out a doubleheader to protect his .3995 average. He played anyway, going 6-for-8 to finish at .406 — a feat no MLB player has matched since.

Image source: Peugeot 406

Wins first American League Triple Crown

1942

Williams led the American League in batting average (.356), home runs (36), and RBIs (137) in 1942, capturing his first Triple Crown. Despite this achievement, he lost the MVP vote to Joe Gordon of the Yankees.

Image source: Triple Crown (baseball)

Returns to baseball after World War II

Apr 16, 1946

After three years away from the game, Williams returned to lead the Red Sox to the American League pennant. He hit .342 with 38 home runs and won his first AL Most Valuable Player Award.

Hits home run in 1946 All-Star Game off Rip Sewell's eephus pitch

Jul 9, 1946

At Fenway Park, Williams famously homered against pitcher Rip Sewell's lobbed eephus pitch, going 4-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs in the AL's 12-0 victory.

Image source: 1946 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Wins first American League batting title with .342 average

Oct 6, 1946

Williams captured the American League batting championship in his comeback season, cementing his reputation as baseball's greatest pure hitter despite losing to the Cardinals in the World Series.

Wins second American League Triple Crown

1947

Williams led the league with a .343 average, 32 home runs, and 114 RBIs, winning his second Triple Crown. Remarkably, he again lost the MVP vote, this time to Joe DiMaggio.

Wins second American League MVP Award

Nov 1949

Williams won his second MVP award after hitting .343 with 43 home runs and 159 RBIs in 1949, narrowly missing another Triple Crown by falling just short of the batting title.

Named American League Player of the Decade for 1940s

Jan 1950

Following his dominant performances throughout the 1940s despite missing three seasons to war service, Williams was recognized as the outstanding player of the decade in the American League.

Suffers broken elbow in 1950 All-Star Game

Jul 11, 1950

Williams crashed into the outfield wall catching a fly ball at Chicago's Comiskey Park, fracturing his elbow. The injury hampered him for the rest of the season but he still finished with a .317 average.

Image source: 1983 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Returns from Korea to win 1952 home run derby

Aug 1952

In his final game before reporting for military duty, Williams hit a game-winning home run in his last at-bat. Upon returning from Korea late in the 1953 season, he resumed his dominant hitting.

Wins fifth and sixth AL batting titles

1957 - 1958

In his late thirties, Williams won back-to-back batting titles, hitting .388 in 1957 and .328 in 1958, proving himself among baseball's most enduring hitters well into his forties.

Retires from playing baseball

Sep 1960

Williams retired after 19 seasons with a .344 lifetime average, 521 home runs, and two MVP awards. He finished with the highest career on-base percentage (.482) in major league history.

Homers in final career at-bat at Fenway Park

Sep 28, 1960

In his last plate appearance, Williams hit a home run into the Fenway Park bullpen before a crowd of only 10,454 fans. He never took a curtain call, famously refusing to tip his cap to fans.

Military Service

Enlists in the U.S. Navy during World War II

May 22, 1942

Williams enlisted as a Navy aviator after being reclassified from draft deferment. He began flight training and would miss the entire 1943-1945 seasons serving his country during World War II.

Earns Marine Corps pilot wings

May 2, 1944

Williams completed flight training and earned his wings as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He was later stationed at Pearl Harbor awaiting combat orders when the war ended.

Recalled for service in Korean War

1952 - 1953

As a Marine Corps reservist, Williams was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He flew 39 combat missions as a pilot alongside John Glenn and survived a crash landing after his plane was damaged by enemy fire.

Later Life and Legacy

Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Jan 25, 1966

Williams was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in his first year of eligibility. In his induction speech, he advocated for the inclusion of Negro league players, helping pave the way for Satchel Paige's election in 1971.

Image source: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Manages the Washington Senators

1969 - 1971

Williams managed the expansion-era Washington Senators from 1969 to 1971, winning AL Manager of the Year honors in 1969 after leading the team to its best finish. He continued managing through their move to become the Texas Rangers in 1972.

Image source: Washington Senators (1961–1971)

Number 9 retired by the Boston Red Sox

May 12, 1984

The Red Sox retired Williams' uniform number 9, honoring his legacy as arguably the greatest hitter who ever lived and the most iconic figure in franchise history.

Publishes autobiography My Turn at Bat

1988

Williams released his candid autobiography, co-written with John Underwood, detailing his career, his complicated relationship with fans and media, and his lifelong obsession with hitting.

Image source: My Sharona

Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

1991

President George H. W. Bush awarded Williams the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, recognizing both his athletic achievements and his distinguished military service in two wars.

Image source: Presidential Medal of Freedom

Appears at 1999 All-Star Game and named Greatest Player of the Century

Jul 13, 1999

At Boston's Fenway Park, an emotional Williams threw out the ceremonial first pitch surrounded by dozens of Hall of Famers. Major League Baseball honored him as the greatest player of the 20th century during the centennial celebration.

Image source: 1999 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Dies in Inverness, Florida at age 83

Jul 5, 2002

Williams died of cardiac arrest in Inverness, Florida. Following a dispute among family members, his remains were cryopreserved at the Alcor Life Extension Foundation in Arizona, sparking significant public debate about posthumous wishes.

Key Facts

Ted Williams was born on August 30, 1918, in San Diego, California.
In 1941, he became the last player in MLB history to finish a season with a batting average over .400, hitting .406 for the Boston Red Sox.
He served as a pilot in both World War II and the Korean War, missing nearly five full seasons during his playing prime.
Williams won two American League Triple Crowns (1942 and 1947) and two AL MVP Awards (1946 and 1949).
His final career at-bat was a home run on September 28, 1960, immortalized in John Updike's essay 'Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu.'

Source

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