Me and Ted

I was so fortunate to be friends with Ted Williams.  I loved Ted, as he was an outstanding player and a great friend.  One of my favorite memories of Ted was when he called me to let me konw that I was to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

“I thought I was the only guy who loved you in Cooperstown,” he said.  “But I was wrong, everybody here loves you.  Congratulations, welcome to the Hall of Fame.”

Over the years we had many great times togeter.  Once I asked him about one of my players who needed some help hitting.

“Ted, I’ve got a player who can’t hit the high fastballs.  What should I tell him to do?”

“Tell him not to swing at them,” he said.

During Spring Training one year I brought him to Dodgertown in Vero Beach.  I introduced him to the players and the coaches, and before the game they introduced him and of course the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

Although he’s gone, I will always remember him as one of the greatest hitters that ever lived, and of course as one of my greatest friends.