Image courtesy of United States Postal Service

By Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff

The United States Postal Service said it will feature Red Sox hall of fame player Ted Wiliams individually on its new "Forever" stamps, a change from its original plan.

Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Larry Doby and Willie Stargell were to be featured on the new "Forever" stamp sheets together, but demand for the stamps spurred the postal company to reconsider the group configuration.

"We’ve heard from Indians, Pirates, Red Sox and Yankees fans and we’re stepping up to the plate to immortalize their revered players individually,” said U.S. Postal Service Stamp Services Manager Stephen Kearney in an e-mailed statement.

The stamps, designed by Los Angeles based artist-illustrator Kadir Nelson, will be released July 21, but will be available for order through Aug. 21. There will be a special event in Boston July 21 for the Williams stamp unveiling. Details about that event will announced later, according to the postal service.

"It will be interesting to learn which of the four players sells the most individual sheets," Kearney said.

Red Sox fans can order the stamps online at http://www.usps.com/play-ball, or by calling 1-800-STAMP24 (1-800-782-6724).

Or, in the spirit of the enterprise, by mailing a check or money order to:

MLB Pre-Order Offer
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive #210
Kansas City, MO 64144-0001