Ted Williams

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Many years after he retired, Ted Williams, the last player to bat .400 over a season, was asked about the current quality of pitching in the big leagues as compared to when he played. Williams replied that the pitching was different (more specialization...set up men, left handed specialists, etc.) but not necessarily better. The reporter then asked Williams what he thought he would hit against today's pitching. Williams replied, "about .330", a number that was good, but less than his lifetime average of .344. The reporter, thinking this was inconsistent with Williams' previous statement and contrary to Williams' view of himself as the greatest hitter of all time, said "Only .330, Ted?" To which Williams replied, "Well, you have to remember, I'm 65 years old."