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Teddy Ballgame
By Ted Williams with David Pietrusza
Foreword by Bobby Doerr, Tribute by Bob Feller
Introduction by John Thorn
Teddy Ballgame is an intimate portrait of one of the most compelling sports figures of the 20th century, vibrantly told in Ted Williams own plain-spoken words, and framed by more than 240 photographs, many from Williams’ own collection, revealing this American icon in all his guises – baseball and fishing superstar, war hero, father and elder statesman of the game he lived and loved.

The extraordinary life of Ted Williams exemplifies achievement. Williams was driven as a ballplayer, courageous as a combat pilot and relentless as a trophy fisherman. His no-nonsense, straight-talking approach often ignited controversy, but Williams never flinched in his conviction that honesty, courage and hard work, not newspaper headlines, were the true measures of a man.

The Hall of Famer is revered as one of baseball’s greatest players and, by many, its greatest all-round hitter. The last major leaguer to bat .400 in a season, Williams compiled astounding career hitting statistics, including 521 home runs and a lifetime .344 batting average. He won six batting titles, two American League MVP awards and two Triple Crown titles, despite missing almost five prime playing years as a pilot in World War II and Korea.

At war, his squadron mate was John Glenn. At baseball, his benchmark was Babe Ruth. Williams represents a time when it was enough to love the game and love your country, and when allegiance to both was unwavering.

This is very much Williams’ own book. Sitting at his kitchen table in October, 2000, just weeks before heart surgery, he reviewed hundreds of photographs and reminisced about his life with co-author David Pietrusza. The earthy, ebullient timbre of Williams’ voice is everywhere in these pages.

Revised following Williams’ death on July 5, 2002, Teddy Ballgame is the story of a classic American hero.
About the authors
TED WILLIAMS had one goal in life: "To walk down the street and have people say, 'There goes the greatest hitter who ever lived'." At age 23 he batted .406 for the season. Williams played 19 seasons in the major leagues, all with the Boston Red Sox, between 1939 and 1960, and appeared in 18 All-Star games. He missed five prime playing years to serve as a pilot in World War II and in Korea, where he flew 39 combat missions. An avid fisherman, Williams is the only athlete enshrined in both the baseball and Freshwater Fishing Halls of Fame. In 1969 he was named American League manager of the year after resurrecting the Washington Senators. He is the author of four other books, including the acclaimed My Turn at Bat and The Science of Hitting.

DAVID PIETRUSZA is the author or editor of over two dozen books, many of them on baseball. Despite the fact that he is indeed a writer — or "A WRITER!!!!!" as Ted Williams put it during their first meeting — Pietrusza and the Splendid Splinter worked together on several projects, culminating in this book. Pietrusza has co-edited Total Baseball and Baseball: The Biographical Encyclopedia. His Judge and Jury: The Life and Times of Kenesaw Mountain Landis captured the 1998 CASEY Award as best baseball book of the year.
BOOK COVER

Order this book


Details
$34.95 US
Hardcover
8-1/2 x 10-7/8
ISBN 0-9731443-0-0
216 pages
245 photos (90 color)

Testimonials
John Glenn: "He was an excellent fighter pilot and he wasn't one that hung back. I remember one time someone asked him what was his favorite music was, and he said without hesitation, `The Star Spangled Banner, the Marine Corps hymn, and Take Me Out to the Ballgame'.''

Hall of Famer Joe Morgan: "Ted was like John Wayne. He was a man's man."

President George W. Bush: "With the passing of Ted Williams, America has lost a baseball legend. Whether serving the country in the armed forces or excelling on the baseball diamond, Ted Williams demonstrated unique talent and love of country."

Former Yankee Yogi Berra: "There was no one more dedicated to this country and more proud to serve his country than Ted Williams. Nobody was more loyal, generous, courageous, more respected than Ted. He sacrificed his life and career for his country. But he became what he always wanted to be -- the greatest hitter ever."

Author George Plimpton: "I'll always remember that Joe DiMaggio said Williams was the greatest hitter who ever lived. I bet that's something he wore in his cap."

Tony Gwynn: "There is no doubt in my mind that Ted is the greatest hitter baseball has ever known, especially considering his service to our country. Given back those five seasons in his prime, Ted's number would be untouchable."

Johnny Pesky: "He would always tell me that you have to carry yourself Johnny in the military like you do in baseball," said Pesky, who served in the Navy in World War II. "You have to take it seriously and be the best at what you do. That was really what Ted was all about -- being the best at all times."

Nomar Garciaparra: "I remember the first conversation I ever had with him, for like 45 minutes, and all he was talking about was hitting and asking me questions, just left and right, what I was thinking at the plate. He loved hitting and he loved talking about it, and afterwards he just told me, 'you answered them all right.'"
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