1959 Ted Williams Fleer Cards

[tedzan]

Hey guys

Having seen Ted Williams play (1947 - 1959), I was an avid fan of his. I acquired this set (minus #68) for $35 in gem mint condition in 1982.
That was the going price for it in the early 1980's. Then I purchased an ExMt #68 for only $75.

In 1984, I met Ted and had a very interesting conversation with him "talkin baseball", and baseball cards. The following is straight from Ted's
mouth......

"In late 1958, the FLEER Gum Company contacted my agent to do a series of BB cards depicting my life. FLEER offered me $500 for the rights.
Sy Berger (TOPPS Executive) counter-offered $1000 to retain the exclusive rights to me (Ted). Well, (as Ted chuckles), this started a bidding
war between TOPPS and FLEER. When FLEER raised the stakes to $5000, Sy Berger gave in to FLEER.....and, the rest is history."

Then, Ted added (as he smiled)...."$5000 was a lot of money back then for just having your pictures on a series of BB cards."

I responded....."Sure was, 5000 was my Dad's annual salary."


In my book, Ted was not only a tremendous ballplayer, but also a tremendous person. Willing to give of his time to talk with you.

Oh, did I say.....I've always been a Yankees fan.

P.S....when I told Ted that I've always been a Yankees fan, he asked me why did I root for him to hit a HR in the upper deck in RF in Yankee
Stadium every time the Red Sox were in town ?

I told him...."back in 1949, and the 1950's, I always felt that the Yankees would win the Pennant every year, anyway."

Ted had a good laugh at my response.


TED Z

[the 'stache]

Ted, I'd have given my left nut for a chance to talk with Ted Williams. Literally. I consider him the greatest pure hitter to ever play the game. Like the Splendid Splinter, I am highly analytical, with a great attention to detail. Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with the same eye, the same wiry frame and powerful arms that Ted was, or I'd have been a hell of a player myself

On my DVR, I have a few things "saved until I delete", and the HBO special on Ted Williams is one. I watch it at least every few days, and it will remain there until a.) an asteroid hits the Earth, killing all mankind, or b.) Verizon takes my DVR away.

Thank you for sharing your anecdote!

[D. Bergin]

Great thread guys. I also consider Ted the greatest pure hitter who ever lived.

You can also count me as a Yankee fan who thinks Ted probably got ripped on at least a couple of MVP awards, possibly more.

Taking into account the military service he lost and the fact he played most of his career post-segregation, his stat lines are just mind-boggling to look at. If he were around today, everybody would be accusing him of being on PED's.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

Ted, I'd have given my left nut for a chance to talk with Ted Williams. Literally. I consider him the greatest pure hitter to ever play the game. Like the Splendid Splinter, I am highly analytical, with a great attention to detail. Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with the same eye, the same wiry frame and powerful arms that Ted was, or I'd have been a hell of a player myself

On my DVR, I have a few things "saved until I delete", and the HBO special on Ted Williams is one. I watch it at least every few days, and it will remain there until a.) an asteroid hits the Earth, killing all mankind, or b.) Verizon takes my DVR away.

Thank you for sharing your anecdote!

Bill

I have met Ted Williams at several BB card shows in the 1980's, and also at Cooperstown on HOF weekend.
Everytime, Ted was very cordial and loved talking about anything BB related.

I left out one more interesting comment Ted told me in response to my....

"back in 1949, and the 1950's, I always felt that the Yankees would win the Pennant every year, anyway."

Ted responded with this......

"If Phil Rizzuto was our shortstop all those years, the Red Sox would have been the Champions."

Ted alluded to The Scooter as being a great lead-off batter, who would start an inning by getting on base
either with a swinging Hit, a Bunt, a Walk, or whatever.


TED Z

[D. Bergin]

I noticed that Ted missed A LOT of games the second half of his career. For those more familiar then myself, was this due to injury issues or just a function of his lack of ability as an Outfielder. Hard to believe they'd want his bat out of the lineup no matter how bad he was out there.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

I noticed that Ted missed A LOT of games the second half of his career. For those more familiar then myself, was this due to injury issues or just a function of his lack of ability as an Outfielder. Hard to believe they'd want his bat out of the lineup no matter how bad he was out there.

From May 1952 to most of the 1953 season, Ted was flying Marine fighter planes in the Korean War.

From 1956 to 1960 he averaged about 123 games a season. I wouldn't say that Ted...."missed A LOT of games the second half of his career".

Regarding his fielding ability dealing with the "Green Monster" in Fenway's LF, I recall seeing Ted play his outfield position as good as any other outfielder.

But, if you don't agree with my observation, compare Ted's fielding stats.... Fldg. % = .977 (18 seasons). Compare that with Willie Mays' Fldg. % = .981.

I don't see that Ted was weak in his Fielding performance.


TED Z

[D. Bergin]

I guess I'm asking why a player of Ted's caliber routinely missed 20-60+ games a year for big chunks of his career?

Even before he left for Korea, he only played in 89 games in 1950. He also missed a lot of games after he came back in '54 and '55 before your 1956-60 average kicks in.

Did he have chronic health issues that weren't quite as publicized as Mantle and his creaky knees? Did he come out of that plane crash as unscathed as some reports suggest, or were there lingering injuries as a result?

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Even before he left for Korea, he only played in 89 games in 1950. He also missed a lot of games after he came back in '54 and '55 before your 1956-60 average kicks in.

Dave

In 1950, Ted broke his left arm in the 1st inning of All-Star Game, when he slammed into the Comiskey Park scoreboard.

I remember this well....my parents bought our first TV in the Summer of 1950....just in time to watch the All Star game.



TED Z