Splendid Splinter reaches coveted 500-home run milestone
Entering the 1960 season, Ted Williams was determined to prove he could still hit at an All-Star level.
He knew that if he did, the last personal milestone he coveted would be his.
On June 17, 1960, Williams homered for the 500th time in his big league career in the Red Sox’s 3-1 victory over the Indians at Cleveland Stadium. With the blast to left-center field, Williams joined Babe Ruth (714), Jimmie Foxx (534) and Mel Ott (511) as the only members of the 500-home run club.
The year before, Williams batted just .254, the first time in his career he had failed to hit .300.
“The only reason I’m playing this year is because I wanted to vindicate myself and I also wanted those 500 home runs,” Williams told the Associated Press.
Williams entered the game batting .321 after a typical performance the day before in Detroit where he went 2-for-3 with two RBI, two walks and his 499th career home run. An announced crowd of 9,765 showed up the following night in Cleveland and saw Williams ground out to second base against Wynn Hawkins in the first inning.
But in the top of the third with the game tied at 1, Willie Tasby singled off Hawkins to start the frame before Pete Runnels fouled out. Williams then homered for what would be the final runs of the game in a 3-1 Boston victory.
Williams was removed from the game in favor of pinch-runner Lou Clinton in the seventh inning after drawing a walk. He then adjourned to the clubhouse, where he granted a phone interview to the Associated Press while the Red Sox were still batting.
“I hit under .300 for the first time in my career last year and people thought I was washed up,” Williams told the AP. “I knew I could still hit and I felt if I could get myself into shape during Spring Training and avoid injuries and illness – something I couldn’t do last year – I could still help the club.”
Williams finished the season batting .316 with 29 home runs and 72 RBI, famously hitting a home run in the last at-bat of his career. His OPS of 1.096 that season would have easily led the American League (Mickey Mantle was the official league leader with a .957 OPS) had Williams had enough plate appearances to qualify.
For his career, Williams posted a 1.116 OPS (second all-time to Babe Ruth) and .344 batting average with 521 home runs, 1,839 RBI and 2,021 walks. He appeared in at least 100 games in only 15 of his 19 big league seasons while missing three complete campaigns while serving in World War II. During the Korean War, Williams again served in the Marines and appeared in only six games in 1952 and 37 the following year.
But despite his successful comeback season in 1960, Williams had no plans to play in 1961.
“My mind is made up in regards to next year,” Williams told the AP after hitting his 500th home run. “And you know what that is.”
Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
