I Remember Ted Williams: Anecdotes and Memories of Baseball's Splendid Splinter by the Players and People Who Knew Him

by David Cataneo

The legendary Red Sox outfielder is remembered through dozens of anecdotes, stories, and insights offered in their own words by former teammates as well as friends, associates, media, baseball officials, and fishing buddies.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2002

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of several volumes in the Cumberland House "I Remember" series. Each is an anthology of reminiscences of those who personally knew the subject, in this instance, Ted Williams (August 30, 1918 - July 5, 2002). David Cataneo edited the material and contributed brief but perceptive introductions to each chapter. From childhood, Williams was determined to be recognized as the greatest hitter in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB) but resisted and resented most efforts to know him as a person. However, he did have a circle of especially close friends with whom he maintained direct and frequent contact until just before his death. The highlights of his MLB career include a lifetime average of .344, a total of 521 homeruns, and 1,839 runs batted in, and only 79 strikeouts s in 2,292 games. He made his MLB debut on April 20, 1939, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1966. According to Catanero, "He was a pal with the press, and he was brutally heartless with the press. He was a charming gentleman, and he had a notorious foul mouth. He had a voice like a howitzer, and he was gently sweet with children. He was sarcastic, and he was sensitive. He was an intelligent grownup, and he threw tantrums like a spoiled kid. He was a chatterbox, and he was a loner."

Catanero obtained anabundance of lively as well as revealing reminiscences and observations from Williams' teammates at Hoover High School in San Diego and when he played in the minors as well as from teammates on the Red Sox and those who served with him during two tours of duty as a Marine fighter pilot.