The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1955-09-10
Williams Can Return
To His Finnan Hoddie

10 His Finnan Hoddie
When he let three called strikes whiz DIV his hat in
nat close and crucial game at Cleveland two weeks ago
lanS ana fellow players alike could have committed NAV,
hem on him right there on the diamond may
When Boston Red Sox escaped barely alive from
SSERScago last wednesday night Ted Williams had hit
20 nome runs and Boosted neat 355 batting average
/ Could anybody in their right mind therefore sig
gest that Williams retire from baseball for the future
Well that's exactly thz advice handed TO Williams
lew days ago by his loving critic, coumnist Dave
AS for Williams even entertaining the idea inst
don't bother to give it thought
Williams is everything that Egan said he was
and maybe little more. He hits when he wants and
chaSes fly balls when he wants
HIS hefty averages notwithstanding he's the one
man In baseball that rival pitchers prefer to pitch to
when the chips are down and hit can win the big
game. 70
1t must have the heart strings of the Red sox
rockies to watch the big boy mseably in the clutch
Well they may as well save their another day
Because Mr.. Williams not for their sentiments
william will hit when he field when he wants
and he will quit baseball baseball no longer serves
its purpose. saws
There must be moments such as that one in cleveond
when even Tom Yawkey and reached the depths
dispair and wished that Williams would take off his uni
form and get out of their sight for good
But it requires cool heads properly analyze the Will
S case ana IN the case OF Williams Messrs Yawkey and
Cronn cannot afford to make hasty decisions
Despite his damaging eccentrcties williams is still is
the big attraction in baseball
Even when he three called strikes it only adds
to his controversial nature and actually come to the
PARK next DAY to see the guy who gets 100000 for commit
One day he chokes in the clutch Next day he belts
homer with bases loaded Jeers turn to cheers The
forgiven him. And Mesrs Yawkey Cronn know it,
He is one of the remaining bio nance in bosabon 1y
is the only big the Red roster Until another
one comes along, Williams make his decisions
1t might have been different in other days when
the SOx had other great stars in their lineup
DNlaggio, Bobby Doerr Jimmy Foxx etc.
In fact it might be different now If the Red Sox
picture not confusing.
Two years the Sox honestly planning re-
building program with their rockies
Kids like Olson Throneberry. Lepcio, Boiling Console
zauchn Stephens up from the farm teams with
raving notices.
They had all the earmarks of great the making
and the front office must have been thinking would be
best to get Williams out Of their hair and let the brilliant
looking rockies blend themselves into the future
/ Unfortunately and you might tragcaly 1t didn't
! didn't have it. ''S' - '"' 'OOA'eo
The sox were deep in the second division, Fans
keeping away from the park in droYes The youth
dream exploded in Joe Cronn the lesser of two
! evils called for bringing Williams back.
Tom YaWkey and Joe Cronin naturally are business
e men ana 1t is their duty to protect the huge Red
D But Yawkey and Cronn are also men of strong
character we happen to know Cronin quite well,
a II is our firm opinion that for the past years
CrOnn has many times held his nose tight to ward
eff the foul OdOr of Williams actions
Williams, to is much like ungrateuI politician who
beeds his friends dry then upon reaching the tor Of
the ladder has little consideration for those who
We like baseball great DEAL but never enough to
brush off any character weakness among the men who plav
Our disgust with williams became permanent IN the
day two years ago he played his farewell be,e
returning to the service.
The setting there that day for Williams TO win his
way into the heart of every baseball in America
! The SoX were playing oWy division club Under
normal circumstances few hundred fans would have
showed up for the game.
i But this Ted's farewell appearance and more
than $4,000 fans kids and grown-ups almost jammed
Fenway Park to wish him well.
II This should have moved a stone
Many of them had to ball game before.
i name Of the game not important They
there to take part in friendly sendoff to man,
i Williams, and to wish him well
i They gave him a automobile. and everybody
who anybody paid him public tribute. When it
time to make his acceptance speech he stood
with his good looking face at the mchrOphOne and
smiled like boy.
This, said those who had read all him. could
be the who refused to tip his hat to the fans
Then the drama. 1t was the eight inning Teds
Kids from every Of the park their plea t
homer will you Ted"
And Ted did. He swung the first pitch and drove 1t
into the right field bleachrs Every and child
in the park rushed to their feet.
They cheered and they whistled. Grown up
cried with emotion
he rounded third, they asked OF him only one
thing Please tip your hat It echoed from all sections of the
park Come Ted, tip your hat"
They weren't asking too much There had been jeers
from the stands that he had often complained
There $4,000 friends sitting there and
children who left their work to buy tickets and wish him
we'll
Come Ted" they urged SHOW them, Ted Tip your