Ted Williams, My Father: A Memoir

It is not secret that I choose Father's Day to write my review of a book I have read not once but twice. I was 10 years old when Ted Williams retired. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York I was a Yankee and Met Fan and only knew him as "The Splendid Splinter" who played for the hated Red Sox. I saw him several times at Yankee Stadium; "The House That Ruth Built" as my Uncle a NYPD Cop took me to see "The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived." I realized many years latter how their personalities and lives paralleled each other.Baseball is a game where you are judged by yours stats: 2 Time MVP, 6 Time Batting Champion, 17 Time All-Star and 2 Time Triple Crown Winner. A lifetime .344 Batting Average with 521 Career Home Runs and a .482 OBP. The last MLB player to hit .400 when in 1941 he hit .406. All this while serving 3 years in the Navy and Marine Corps for WWII and 2 years in the Korean War.I am reminded of Matthew 7.1 "Do Not Judge or You Will Be Judged." Ted Williams had flaws, a complicated man who sometimes took the English language to another level. Often impatient with an explosive temper. "Who among us does not have flaws? Who does not bear scars? Each of our journey's unique. Our adversities leave upon us lasting marks. They show us all that we have overcome. Life; a constant struggle, and choosing not to give in, we rise above."Claudia Williams wrote this book to clarify many misconceptions but more importantly to honor her father who she dearly loved. She wanted people to know her father as she did; not the baseball player, fisherman or Marine. Like my Uncle, Ted Williams was a perfectionist on and off the field who hated mediocrity, and was overwhelming on every level. He played The Greatest Game on Earth and in Life.In Ted Williams My Father Claudia "Hits For The Cycle."Before you judge read her book!

The Book is a Great Keepsake....I grew up knowing Claudia and John Henry but never had met Ted in person... I am thrilled to add this to my personal library.

I've read a few Ted Williams books (including his) and always thought Leigh Montville's was the best. It's quite a different perspective to hear of many of the events of Williams' life from this unique, intimate and first hand perspective. I read it in one and a half sittings. The voice and point of view was very authentic. I found myself feeling glad for Claudia as this book I'm sure gave her some peace of mind and catharsis. No doubt it was very difficult many times to be Ted Williams' Daughter. I met Williams just once shortly after he retired from baseball. However, I have known several of his teammates and people who were very close to him. Claudia repeated some of the very personal stories I had heard from those men almost verbatim. So I can attest to the truth of several of the anecdotes she told. The only exception to this was her warmth toward John Henry. I never heard very many kind words said about him. With that said, I'd like to believe Claudia's point of view on John Henry was more nuanced and based on a lot more intimate knowledge of him than those with whom I spoke about him. This book is worth the read for anyone interested in the Ted Williams life and legend.

Ted Williams was my childhood idol. I went to his baseball camp where I met him as a 13 year old. As an adult I collected baseball memorabilia mostly of Williams. I owned 25 autographs including a bat, baseballs, cards and special art work. I attended the old timer game at Fenway Park where he wore his uniform for the last time. I attended Ted William Day at the park in 1992. And then he died.The controversy surrounding the disposition of his remains was repugnant and heart breaking for a fan that had admired him since childhood. As soon as Claudia William' book was available I got it. I must say her story was sobering and painful to read about. My big disappointment was in Ted, my hero. His self centered ways blocked his chance to be a real father to his children. His treatment of Bobby Jo was reprehensible in my view. The woman never had a chance with him. Claudia's life long quest for validation from her famous dad is particularly hard to read. Thought both John Henry and Claudia bonded with him in the years prior to his death, the dynamics were so skewed as to be toxic.The chapters involving cryonics read like a Vincent Price B movie. This idea that the three of them "worshiped" that science as a higher power was mind bending. The Williams clan was an unorthodox jumble of self will run riot, tangled family dynamics and dysfunction. Claudia seemed to be the most balanced in the Williams family. However, this attempt by her to explain her family dynamics only made me sorry for her that she was ever born into a family of self centered wing nuts.

I was a bit skeptical about how interesting this book could be but it grabs you really hard. The insight is so intimate, you feel as if you are really there! I read quite a few books and they mostly come across as processed, but this book is the real thing when it comes to getting inside the mind of the "Greatest Hitter of All Time" and what made him tick. I am really surprised all the nuggets of information including the bad ( Ted was an All Star Curser using some language that is so nasty it is laughable !!) to the really intimate ( Ted's female relationships with his wives and girlfriends are ALL talked about here.) The feel is about as raw as you can get. I was especially intrigued by how Celebrity is such a double edged sword in our Society. Ted was adored by millions and was treated as royalty by even presidents and superstars. Unfortunately, he couldn't even spend a night out eating with his family at the local diner. The book gives a rare insight into what it feels like to be at that table in a restaurant through a real family members eyes. It is eerie. Highly Recommended Great Read !!

The book presents a different perspective from the usual baseball "best hitter there ever was" adding a new dimension to a complex personality from a first hand relative, his youngest child. I enjoy the book although the mixture between father and son -John Henry- deserves another volume on itself.I was also expecting more clarification on the role of him having Mexican ancestry and Ted's relation, if there ever was, with that side of his family. I will continue to considered him the best hitter of Mexican-American ancestry much to the chagrin of many old baseball folks I have encounter.I also appreciate Claudia's position in the family with Ted being extremely partial to relations with men and unable to treat women on the same label. She was more of an observer a keen one at times opening a window into Ted's humanity and making him closer to us than to baseball's Gods.

All is OK

An interesting perspective from a family member so it gives another side to his personality. Dwelt on the burial choice a bit longer than I needed.