Anatomy of a Hitter: Gjon Mili Pictures Ted Williams

In 1941 Ted Williams, 22, was the focal point within the baseball world as he pursued a .400 batting common, which was on the time a uncommon feat (as an alternative of inconceivable, because it has seemingly turn into). The Red Sox outfielder famously pursued the purpose that yr in a way which affirmed not solely his talent on the plate but additionally his character.

With Boston set to play a double-header on the ultimate day of the season, Williams’ batting common was .3996—which, beneath the foundations of baseball, would have been rounded as much as .400 to provide him the mark. Boston’s supervisor, Joe Cronin, offered Williams the chance to sit out and shield his common, however Williams selected to play each video games of the double-header. An totally respectable day on the plate—say, 2-for-7—might have dropped his common by essential thousandths of a share level, however Williams took the chance. He performed each video games and had six hits in eight at bats, elevating his season common to .406—no rounding wanted.

His daring resolution has gained significance over time as a result of, all these many years later, Williams is the final batter to ever hit .400. No one has completed it since.

Even earlier than that historic season was over, although, LIFE had positioned Williams amongst baseball’s elite. In its Sept. 1, 1941 problem the journal ran a narrative titled “Williams of Red Sox is Best Hitter” that tried to clarify what made this younger man so particular.

Williams is a superb hitter for 3 causes: eyes, wrists and forearms. He has what ballplayers name “camera eyes” which permit him to focus in on a pitched ball because it zooms down its 60-foot path from the pitcher’s hand, precisely decide its supposed path throughout the plate, and attain for it. He even claims he can see the ball and bat meet. The remainder of his formulation is to by no means cease swinging. On and off the sphere he persistently wields a bat to maintain the spring in his highly effective wrists. Even when he’s within the outfield he generally retains waving his arms in a batting arc. And, greater than most different nice batters, he retains his physique out of his swing, places all his drive into his forearms.

LIFE illustrated its story with studio images by Gjon Mili, in one thing of a gathering of the masters. This LIFE assortment of Mili’s studio work options his stop-motion pictures of drummer Gene Krupa, actor/dancer Martha Kelly and artist Pablo Picasso. The inclusion of Ted Williams of their firm is a telling tribute to his mastery of the artwork of hitting. Williams posed shirtless, which underlined that Williams relied on approach somewhat than muscle. The 6’3″, 175-pound Williams was skinny sufficient that the press nicknamed him “Toothpick Ted” and “The Boston Stringbean.”

In addition to Mili’s portraits of Williams from the 1941 season, this assortment features a few different pictures that LIFE shot through the years of Williams in uniform. Pay particular consideration to the final picture, taken by George Silk, which exhibits Williams in spring coaching in 1956, speaking to a younger participant named Gordie Windhorn.

Williams was by that point a 12-time All-Star, whereas Windhorn was a younger journeyman who was passing by Red Sox camp and wouldn’t make the roster. But Silk’s picture captures the intense and respectful means that Williams handled Windhorn, as a result of they have been speaking about his favourite topic, which was hitting.

While Mili’s pictures seize Williams approach and physique, that final shot hints at his obsession along with his craft.

Ted Williams demonstrated his batting stroke within the studio of LIFE photographer Gjon Mili, 1947.

Gjon Mili/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams, 22, confirmed off his highly effective baseball swing for photographer Gjon Mili, 1941.

Gjon Mili/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams, 22, confirmed off his highly effective baseball swing for photographer Gjon Mili, 1941.

Gjon Mili/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams, 22, confirmed off his highly effective baseball swing for photographer Gjon Mili, 1941.

Gjon Mili/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams, 22, confirmed off his highly effective baseball swing for photographer Gjon Mili, 1941.

Gjon Mili/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Ted Williams demonstrated his batting stroke within the studio of LIFE photographer Gjon Mili, 1947.

Gjon Mili/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams, 22, confirmed off his highly effective baseball swing for photographer Gjon Mili, 1941.

Gjon Mili/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams, 22, demonstrated his grip on the bat for photographer Gjon Mili, 1941.

Gjon Mili/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Ted Williams sat on the bench along with his Red Sox teammates, 1946.

Sam Shere/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Red Sox nice Ted Williams took the sphere, 1946.

Sam Shere/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Ted Williams took batting follow, 1948.

Frank Scherschel/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox spoke with teammate Gordie Windhorn in regards to the artwork of hitting throughout spring coaching in Sarasota, Fla., 1956.

George Silk/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock