From 1942 to 1946 a number of MLB players, including Stan Musial, Hank Greenberg, Bob Feller, Warren Spahn, and Joe DiMaggio joined the United States Armed Forces and served their country during World War II. After winning the Triple Crown in 1942, Ted Williams went on active duty as part of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 until early 1946.
The prime seasons of Williams’ career - ages 24, 25, and 26 - were lost.
Even losing three of what would have been his greatest years in baseball, Ted Williams finished his career with 2,654 hits, 521 home runs, 1,839 RBI, a career .344 BA, and the record for highest On Base Percentage at .482.
But, what if World War II never happened, and Ted Williams did get those three years back?
I simmed those seasons to see what could have been - and, of course, Williams was amazing.
After his Triple Crown in 1942, Williams went on to accomplish the feat again in 1944. He was named to the AL All-Star team each year, winning the Most Valuable Player Award in each! With these 3 added MVPs, his career total would be 5 - something no player would match until Barry Bonds won his 5th MVP in 2002.
Also, with these three added seasons, Williams would reach some new milestones. With 3,199 hits, he would currently have the 15th most ever, behind Nap Lajoie’s 3,243. His new doubles total of 603 would tie him with with Cal Ripken Jr. for for 13th overall. 642 home runs would put him 7th behind, new Hall of Famer, Ken Griffey Jr. Williams would also have the 2nd highest walk total, as well as the 3rd most runs batted in.
The prime seasons of Williams’ career - ages 24, 25, and 26 - were lost.
Even losing three of what would have been his greatest years in baseball, Ted Williams finished his career with 2,654 hits, 521 home runs, 1,839 RBI, a career .344 BA, and the record for highest On Base Percentage at .482.
But, what if World War II never happened, and Ted Williams did get those three years back?
I simmed those seasons to see what could have been - and, of course, Williams was amazing.
After his Triple Crown in 1942, Williams went on to accomplish the feat again in 1944. He was named to the AL All-Star team each year, winning the Most Valuable Player Award in each! With these 3 added MVPs, his career total would be 5 - something no player would match until Barry Bonds won his 5th MVP in 2002.
Also, with these three added seasons, Williams would reach some new milestones. With 3,199 hits, he would currently have the 15th most ever, behind Nap Lajoie’s 3,243. His new doubles total of 603 would tie him with with Cal Ripken Jr. for for 13th overall. 642 home runs would put him 7th behind, new Hall of Famer, Ken Griffey Jr. Williams would also have the 2nd highest walk total, as well as the 3rd most runs batted in.
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