My Turn at Bat: The Story of My Life (Fireside Sports Classics) Paperback – March 15, 1988

I liked Ted Williams informal writing style and interesting baseball information.

Ted Williams played over 20 years, served in two wars AND hit .344 lifetime. Heck, he led the league at .388 at the age of 38 in 1957. His story is a great one and a quintessentially American one. I read it the first time in 1969 when it was first published. Geez, I re-read it probably 10 times thereafter. Just finished re-reading it (updated for the Senators 1969 season--great stuff!) and it is STILL a great story of rags-to-riches, hard work and individuality making a difference. Am sure I'll read it again.

When one of the 3 greatest hitters ever, who also was a fighter pilot in two wars tells his life story, it is worth reading. Williams was the Barry Bonds of his time--a great player but also an arrogant and moody individual who was never popular. Williams had a relentless attitude toward baseball; he determined early in life he wanted to be known as the greatest hitter ever. From boyhood in San Diego to his early time in the Red Sox organization, he never slowed down, spending hours hitting baseballs outside and practicing his swing in front of a mirror.Williams' first year, 1939, he hit 31 home runs and only got better from there. In 1941 he became the last major leaguer to hit .400, refusing to sit out the last game to protect his average. After a 3 year time in combat, he came back in 1946 and led the Sox to the pennant, the only one of his career. Despite losing 3 years to World War II and nearly another 2 in Korea, He still managed 521 home runs. His lifetime batting average was an impressive .344 and his lifetime on base % .484 (not a typo) remains the best ever.Despite all these accomplishments though, Williams comes across a bitter man. The "Splendid Splinter," a.k.a "Teddy Ballgame"had several divorces, was accused of being a bad father, and had constant battles with the press and fans in Boston. He briefly managed the Washington Senators after retirement. In 2002 he died, at the age of 84.

If you ever end -up talking baseball for hours with your friends then pick this book up. Because it is like talking about baseball with Ted Williams. You get to hear how an ecenteric kid grows up to be the best hitter ever, but still be an ecentric man. I never read a book by someone who loved his work as much as Williams, even with the disapiontments of his life. The book is realistic in its prespective. Williams is matter of fact (endless cool facts and pitching hitting deuls) about the negatives in his carrer. He shows his obessive side and professional drive all at once. BONUS GREAT PICTURES OF WILLIAMS AND OTHER GREAT PLAYERS! I also suggest my favorite baseball book of all time My Luke and I by Elanor Gerhig (OUT OF PRINT BUT DEFINATLY worth the hunt)

This is a great baseball book for all athlete's and dads and kids and boys and fans of the game. I truly enjoyed reading my own copy of this book for the 2nd time. A few year's ago I checked it out from the library and read it for the first time. Thanks, JM

Having grown up in the era of Ted Williams, I loved reading this book. I have read biographies of him, and they were good accounts,but this autobiographical account really let me into his life. I loved reading every word of it.

good story

This is a very good book about an American Legend and Hero and that is what Ted was a hero... He gave up a lot of baseball time for his country.. This is a great book from Ted's perspective.. Highly recommend..!