Ted Samuel Williams

Ted Williams playing for the Boston Red Sox, 1943 (google images)

“Baseball gives every American boy a chance to excel, not just to be as good as someone else but to be better than someone else. This is the nature of man and the name of the game.”(SI, August 8, 1966) On the field Williams was a legendary hitter. He attended Hoover High School in San Diego—where the baseball field is named in his honor. Off the field he did something that most don’t recognize him for; he was a military veteran. Williams, born August 30, 1918, protected and fulfilled his dream for many years. He was known as the most fearsome hitter to ever step into the batter’s box. Williams is the most astonishing hitter to ever play the game. He is an inspiration to many of the aspiring young athletes in America, yet what he did off the field, away from the public eye, was what truly made him a hero.

One of many hits by Ted Williams (http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/ted-williams.jpg)

Ted Williams’s determination to fulfill his destiny is what the motivation for his dream was. He dreamed of being the most outstanding hitter in major league baseball; he went through intense training to be the most fit for his spot. “Ted Williams was one of baseball's most fearsome hitters. Despite the five seasons he lost to military service, the ‘Splendid Splinter’ of the Boston Red Sox, hit 521 home-runs and a total career average of .344, which is an amazing feat, and one of the best ever.” (Jennifer Mossman, 2010). He was loved by fans all over America. The highlights of his career make jaws drop. He says it’s all in the hard work. To get the name “Most Fearsome…” anything is an accomplishment to any athlete in any sport. So there’s definitely reason to work hard for your dreams. ““Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” (Greek philosopher, BC 341-270). This was the quote that Williams live his life by. In the chase of fulfilling his dream; he would always use this quote as his motivation to work harder. Williams was a great dreamer, and the desire to effectuate his dreams was what made him the person he was.

Williams before deployment for World War II (http://mdd2403.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/ted_williams_pilot.jpg)

Williams was not just a great player, he was a brave and courageous fighter pilot. He fought in World War II and The Korean War, both in which he left his dream to protect his country. The bravery it took to go up into the air in a fighter aircraft is just astonishing. He survived every mission he was sent into, and even got shot down. “Every mission I was assigned; I thought I was going to die. Yet, here I am today still alive, and standing here telling you this story. I guess it wasn’t as bad as you’d think”(Ted Williams, 1978). His reflection on the past, and present, makes his decisions so much more complicated. Some may say bravery and courage are the same thing, but they are not. Bravery is agreeing to do something knowing what’s going to happen after it. Courage is deciding that whatever happens in present effects what the future is and you can make it what you want. Ted Williams is a war veteran who put his own dream and life on the line for his country. Everyone in the world today has benefitted from his service and in a positive way. The commitment he gave to protect all Americans was a heroic act. “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his” (General George S. Patton, 1885). He once used this quote to describe his feelings about war. Williams idea about war, and what he did is intellectual, yet well thought about.On November 18, 1991, he was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H. W. Bush."The greatest team I played for was the Marine Corps"(Ted Williams, 1992).

Concentration on the placement of the hit. (http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/upload/schools/horace/307-ted-williams-0209-lg.jpg)

Williams is the greatest player to ever hit in the game of baseball, yet what he did for our country in his military service is what truly makes him a hero. He was a courageous and hard working American. Williams is an inspiration to many for the dedication he put into fulfilling his dreams. He proved that anything is possible as long as you work through the dilemmas placed in your path. To everyone in our country Williams is an outstanding person, yet he is also a true American hero.

Works Cited Belfiore, Michael. "Williams, Ted (1918-2002)." Newsmakers. Ed. Laura Avery. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 30 Apr. 2010 . Stasio, Marilyn. "An Incorrigibly Adorable Thief." DISCovering Authors. Online ed. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 14 May. 2010 . "Ted Williams." Ted Williams. N.p., 2007. Web. 14 May 2010. .