Opening Day Auction 2014
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/26/2014
For the second time in his career, Uncle Sam interrupted Ted Williams' career. A Marine Corps fighter pilot in World War II, Williams was recalled to active duty in 1952 and flew jets over Korea. While many ballplayers came back from war unable to pick up their careers where they left off, Williams, for a second time, came back and re-established himself as the game's premier hitter. In 117 games he hit .345 and made the All-Star team. This pair of Red Sox white flannel pants are a silent testimony to the sheer drive and determination Ted Williams had when he came back from war. The home white flannel pants feature a single navy blue piping stripe down each leg which have faded through time and washing. The piping on the right leg is missing from the belt loop about 9" down the leg. McAuliffe label is sewn in the inside back of the waistband and has "Williams" in black stitched on a white strip tag. "36-28-54" is stitched on an additional white strip tag in black. A number "19" has been handwritten in black marker on the inside waistband, the mean of which has been lost to time. The pants show tremendous game use, Ted was truly playing with a vengeance in '54 making up for the time he spent chasing Mig fighters for the Marines in Korea. There are 3 team repairs on the pants, all 3 on the front right leg. There are many other scuffs and abrasions from a long, productive summer in Fenway Park, proving he was indeed still The King. Comes with an LOA from Mears.