Legendary Red Sox Hall of Famer Ted Williams, the last baseball player to hit above .400, has died. Share your thoughts about The Kid.

Page 3

I never saw him play, and I really don't know much about him. But I read a few of the Globes archived articles and I now realize what I missed out on. What a player. May God hold you in the palm of his hand, and may you ride every ball out of the park into infinity, Ted.

Dave C, Holliston

I was born 14 years after Ted Williams retired, so growing up I knew the man more for his bread commercials and fishing specials, than for a mastery of hitting a baseball. Both my Father and Grandfather, however, would not let that happen to me. Time and again I heard about his sweet swing, the artistery that he created at the plate, using the entire field as a canvas. I heard about the Williams Shift, and how he would just hit right through it, rather than around it. I was told about his heroic showing in World War II and Korea. His amazing All-Star record, his spats (and spits) with the fans and writers.....it goes on and on. But none of this truly was remarkable to me until that summer day in 1999 with the All-star game in town. Seeing the reactions of my generation's baseball heroes, when confronted with this man was truly inspiring. To see Gwynn, Garciapara, Rodriguez, Rose, Schmidt, Mays, and others crowd around this man, seeking to just touch him, maybe hear a tidbit of hitting wisdom, that was truly an incredible moment of respect and brought home to me why the people who introduced me to baseball as a child, always strove to include Ted Williams in thier teachings. For that I am so thankful and to live in the same city that Ted Williams played is an honor. He will be missed, but never forgotten.

Kyle Flaherty, South Boston

One of my biggest regrets in life, I am 44, was not being able to see Ted play in person. I was a History major in college. In my humble opinion, the "Splendid Splinter" was the greatest hitter that has ever put on a Baseball uniform. His only serious competition for this title is Babe Ruth and Ted Williams did not have the Iron Horse hitting cleanup for 10 years to protect him! How many people can claim to be the best of any profession in TWO fields? John Glenn said that Ted was the best fighter pilot he ever had the honor of flying with in his long Naval aviation career. He was a legitimate American Hero, a " real life" John Wayne minus the Hollywood publicity. One of my greatest pleasures in life is watching my 70 year old Dad's face light up when he talks about the enjoyment he received watching #9 playing at Fenway Park when he was a younger man. This passion has been passed on to yet another generation; my 7 year old son knows that Ted Williams was the greatest of all-time because " Grandpad told me that he was!"

Peter Colford, Medford,MA

The Greatest Ever!!

Phil, Los Angeles

In May of 1969, Ted was in his first year managing the Washington Senators and on this particular Sunaday, my Dad and I got down to RFK Stadium at 10:30am (gates didn't open until 11:30) and Ted was taking batting paractice off of Seantors Coach Nellie Fox... I didn't know who it was because Ted always seemed to have a blue "Senators" windbreaker on... My Dad told it that it was Ted... At RFK, right-center field was 375 ft. and Ted put 10 straight shots over it... "Shots" was the right word to describe the connection because the sound that Ted made sounded like a gun going off.. He didn't linger after he hit his 10 straight... He noticed that the stands were starting to fill and he went back into the first base dugout.... Nine years after he retired and he looked like he hadn't missed a day!!!!! Remarkable...truly remarkable!!!

Jim Roche, Rockville, MD.

this is in memory of my dad. he had a picture of Ted in his den. would look at it and always would say that no one would ever be as good as you!!!!. my father saw championships in hockey and basketball. he would have liked to have seen the sox win a world series,but he always enjoyed the love of the man as well as the game he represented. Oddly enough the Feb 4th addition of the boston globe, was my fathers 102nd birthday. And we all know what those headlines read. My father is waiting now for the autograph that he was never able to get. Ted will be missed.

larry mazzola, lexington,s.c.

Ted Williams was a great baseball player to learn of, and then when I had shown my father an interest in the Red Sox, my dad filled me in that Ted was also a great fly fisherman, who could cast the line out to points that others could never reach. That shows that Ted Williams will always have a place in the heart and mind of any true baseball fan, as he hit the ball better than anyone in the last 60 years! He will be missed as the best living legend, but his memory and love of the game should never be forgotten.

William Wilkinson, McLean

There goes the greatest hitter who ever lived.

Pat Clancy, Seattle, WA

I've always looked up to Ted Williams as a role model. On the field, he was one of the greatest baseball players ever. Off the field, he stepped away from baseball at the peak of his career to serve his country during WWII. How many of today's high priced athletes do you think would make such a supreme sacrifice?

Marcus, Quincy

A true American legend and hero. God Bless

George Figueredo, assonet