This is an addition to my previous post on whether Mickey Mantle ever played meaningful games against the Red Sox. From that post:
Even though Cleveland's Mike Garcia defeated Boston at Fenway Park on Sept. 18 Boston was only 2.5 games back after 142 of 154 games. However, the Red Sox completely fell apart and won only one more game
Ted Williams in his final 8 games, Red Sox games 142-150: 6 ( 5 singles, 1 homer) for 26 (.230).
Williams did not play Boston's final four games in 1951 at Yankee Stadium after Allie Reynolds had no-hit Boston in game one of the September 28, 1951 doubleheader. That was the second no-hitter in 1951 for Reynolds and it was the famous game in which Williams made the final out twice. Williams fouled out to Yankee catcher Yogi Berra but Yogi dropped the ball for an error. Then Williams did it again and the second time Yogi caught it. Williams never batted again in 1951.
Sound familiar? Check 1960.
September 28, 1960 (nine years to the day) at Fenway Park Boston Williams did his famous thing: homered in the 8th in the final at bat of his career; Boston was still losing 4-3. What did he do next? Williams abandoned his team. Top of the 9th: "Carroll Hardy replaces Ted Williams playing LF batting 3rd". Nice move. Leave in a one run game. That eliminates the possibility that he may bat again and ruin his individual accomplishment. Aided by an error Boston scored two in the bottom of the 9th to win 5-4. Number 2 batter Willie Tasby was the final Boston batter. Williams spot was next with Carroll Hardy waiting to bat.
In 1960 after the Ted Williams farewell homer Boston still had three more meaningless games to play at Yankee Stadium. Boston played them without Ted Williams. Yanks won all three: 6-5, 3-1, 8-7. I wonder how Ted Williams teammates, especially the pitchers, felt about that. You think losing pitchers Brewer, Nichols and Earley were thrilled about the great Ted Williams simply going home before the season had ended?
1 comment:
Ted didn't even chose to die when he expired: he had himself frozen instead. He was a great ball player but not a great man.
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