So, after his final at bat in his final game( an amazing home run), Ted Williams walked into history, American history and baseball history. For the next 42 years, exactly half of his long life, he would live something less than the ideal path one would ordinarily choose for retirement.
Immediately, he was signed to a contract with Sears Roebuck to be a spokesman for their sporting goods' line. His personal line of fishing gear: rods, reels, and lures were now available from a mass marketer. He made personal appearances promoting his products; and gave demos of his skills developed and honed to perfection during the off season while playing for the Sox. It was during these early years of retirement he met his 2nd wife, Dolores, who would bear him 2 more children, John Henry and Claudia. The former model was a strong personality who could confront the difficult Ted. She learned to fish, to please him, but soon tired of his seasonal migrations: to Florida and New Brunswick. She eventually decided to return home to New Hampshire where they had a nice home close to her family. It was here that the 2 children would develop firm roots.
In time Ted was persuaded to take a coaching job with the Washington Senators. A hard luck team that was a perennial loser. They eventually moved to Texas to become the Rangers in the 70's. Ted tired of this role, and moved on. For the next 20 + years, he delighted Boston fans whenever he was asked to appear, putting on the uniform again for an old timers' game, taking swings that gave a glimpse of his old playing day's form.
In the early 90's, Ted had the first of several strokes that slowed him down and restricted his activities. His son, John Henry, the tall, handsome young man, would now re-enter his Dad's life and form a new relationship: business partner. John Henry, forever in the shadows, now became the man behind the Ted Williams brand. John Henry helped to launch Ted into the memorabilia craze as the internet became an up and coming marketplace. Beyond the signed baseballs were all manner of other artifacts to be signed and sold: photos, jerseys, bats, gloves, you name, he'd sign it. Appearances at shows and card conventions, all for fixed price contracts, had Ted and John Henry shuttling all over the country.
As his health declined, John Henry convinced Ted that he should have legal power of attorney. Ted signed the documents, turning John Henry into the legal power behind Ted Williams Enterprises.
The last few years of Ted's life were not pretty, as they say. His vision was reduced to narrow, blurred views, his mobility was reduced to a few steps at a time, and his finances were messy, to put it mildly.
At the end, in July, 2002, the 84 year old had full time care givers at home while John Henry, living nearby in Florida, continued managing Ted Williams Enterprises. His daughter, Claudia, and his older daughter, Bobby Jo, were constant visitors to the house. Sadly, the son, John Henry, became enamored of cryonics, and when Ted died, his body was taken to a center in Arizona for preservation.
A sad note to the biography is the final story of John Henry and Bobby Jo. Within a year of Ted's death, John Henry, making an absurd attempt to break into baseball, developed leukemia and died after only 6 months of treatment at age 33. HIs sister, Bobby Jo, died of liver failure related to years of alcohol abuse. Claudia, now in her 40's, married one of John Henry's legal advisors.
This biography is a rich reward for readers who seek insights into the lives of icons and heroes. Here Ben Bradlee has done prodigious work, uncovering the facts, dispelling myths, and building the legend of Ted Williams to new heights. He does not omit the insidious behavior of his tribe: the scribes and scribblers of the Boston press whose printed words drove Ted Williams to become abusive of all media types and, as a result of many printed descriptions of his antics, the fans themselves. Not content to relate his feats on the field, the press antagonized Ted for less than stellar performances. Despite hitting .406 in 1941, he could not satisfy the hunger of the media. He took to gesture to mark his dissatisfaction: spitting in the direction of the press box; giving crude hand gestures toward the fans. Often, in the field, he'd misplay balls hit his way, accenting his displeasure with press coverage.
Ben Bradlee mentions bipolar disorder only once. Perhaps he studiously avoided any attempt to develop a psychological profile of Ted. Clearly, Ted was difficult. Clearly, his behavior was beyond the norm. Clearly, the man had mental health issues. Perhaps, Borderline Personality Disorder could be attached to his actions. Certainly, the evidence of his personal relationships indicates many elements associated with BPD. Would that taint the image? Would Ben Bradlee open a Pandora's Box that would reflect badly on the press? Yes, without a doubt. When Ted came up to the majors, he was 19 years old. How many 19 year olds can handle fame and fortune? As any rock star will tell you: not many. This omission is the one fault I have with this book. The length is already considerable; and the author had to decide what to omit. Perhaps the notes are waiting in a file for the next book.
More later.
No comments:
Post a Comment