On this date in 1937 the Red Sox bought the contract of Ted Williams from the minor-league San Diego Padres. Williams finally made it to the majors in 1939 and led the league in RBIs that year. In 1941 he became the last player to hit over .400 (.406) for a full season. He finished his career with a .344 lifetime average and 525 home runs.

Since this is also Pearl Harbor Day it's especially appropriate to recognize that Ted also distinguished himself as a Marine Corps pilot, training other pilots during World War II and flying 38 combat missions in Korea. One can only imagine what his lifetime stats might look like if he hadn't given up five of what would have been his most productive years to server his country.

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