🇺🇸 Most Badass Ballplayers: Combat Veteran Edition #2 Ted Williams
Ted Williams, widely regarded as the greatest pure hitter who ever lived, was one badass ballplayer.
Born August 30, 1918, in San Diego, California.
He made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox in 1939 and quickly became one of the most feared hitters in baseball. In 1941, at just 22 years old, he hit .406, the last time any player has hit over .400 in a season.
He followed that up by winning another batting title in 1942. By the end of the 1942 season, Williams was already a superstar and widely considered the best hitter in the game.
Then, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Williams enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and trained as a pilot.
He missed the 1943, 1944, and 1945 seasons, three full prime years of his career, while serving stateside during World War II.
When he returned in 1946, there were questions about whether he could pick up where he left off.
He answered them immediately, winning the American League MVP award in his first season back.
Over the next several years he continued to dominate, winning the Triple Crown in 1947 and another batting title in 1948.
When the Korean War broke out, Williams was recalled to active duty as a Marine Corps pilot.
In 1952 and 1953 he flew 39 combat missions over North Korea in the F9F Panther jet.
He often flew as wingman for future astronaut John Glenn.
On one mission his plane was hit by the enemy and caught fire. He made a successful belly landing and jumped out and ran off the wingtip to safety.
He was hit by enemy fire at least three times during his tour.
After Korea, Williams returned to baseball in 1953 and continued one of the most remarkable careers in baseball history.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966.
Ted Williams, superstar athlete, answered the call for his country twice.
Thank you, Ted! 🫡🇺🇸⚾
🇺🇸 Most Badass Ballplayers: Combat Veteran Edition #3 Lou Brissie
Lou Brissie, 1949 All-Star pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics, was one badass ballplayer.
Born June 5, 1924, in Anderson, South Carolina.
He had already been scouted by Connie Mack’s Athletics and was expected to report to spring training, but after losing a brother in the war, Brissie enlisted in the United States Army instead.
He was sent to Italy as a squad leader in G Company, 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division.
On December 7, 1944, the third anniversary of Pearl Harbor, his unit was hit by a sudden German artillery barrage in the mountains near Florence.
An artillery shell exploded right beside him.
The blast shattered his left leg in 30 places, drove shrapnel into his right shoulder, both hands, and both thighs, and knocked him unconscious.
He lay in the snow and mud for hours before medics finally reached him.
When he was brought to a field hospital, doctors recommended amputating his left leg.
Brissie refused, telling them, “I’m a ballplayer. I can’t play on one leg.”
Over the next two years he underwent 23 surgeries and received 40 blood transfusions.
While he was still recovering on crutches, he received a letter from Connie Mack encouraging him to focus on healing and promising that the Athletics would give him a tryout when he was ready.
In 1947, just two and a half years after nearly losing his leg, he made his major league debut with the Athletics while wearing a heavy metal brace.
Over seven seasons in the majors (1947–1953) he compiled a career record of 44–48 with a 4.07 ERA.
His best season came in 1949 when he won 16 games and was selected to the All-Star team.
Brissie was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts for his service.
Thank you, Lou! 🫡🇺🇸⚾