MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ALL-STARS
TED WILLIAMS
$68
First Day of Issue
Secretariat could run like no other horse. It was later discovered his heart was twice the size of a normal horse's. Ted Williams was physically gifted. We're convinced because his swing was one of the most beautiful in baseball history, and he bordered being the greatest hitter of all time. The swing though, was generated by his gifting, gifting residing deep inside the man. When he joined the Marines to fly combat missions, he broke all military records in areas of hand-to-eye coordination, any tests to do with reflex and timing. When he requested specially made baseball bats at exactly 32.5 ounces, the bat company laughed, saying what's 1/2 an ounce? He had them make 3 bats 32.5 ounces, and 1 bat 32 ounces. As he was handed each bat, he instantly identified which bat was the lighter one. 1/2 an ounce. That's why hitting to Ted Williams was a science project. Not an art, a science.
Sold as a set of four covers, along with
Larry Doby, Willie Stargell, and Joe DiMaggio
SET OF FOUR
Released to collectors October 10, 2015, along with
Larry Doby, Willie Stargell, Joe DiMaggio and American Pharoah Wins Triple Crown
Review the other three stamps in the set
BEVIL ISSUE
SCOTT
CATEGORY
CANCELLED
PAINTED
LOCATION
MAIN LOT
COLOR PICTORIALS
ARTIST’S PROOFS
AFDCS VARIETY
COFFEE BREAK VARIETY
CHAPTER 56
TOTAL ISSUE SIZE
I have heard it said that Ted Williams had, what many believe was, the most graceful, simple swing in baseball history. Yet, everything else about the man was complicated, if not an outright contradiction. He was beloved by Boston Red Sox fans, yet he waged a career long war with writers. He seemingly vacillated between being an egomaniac with an inferiority complex, and an impeccable superstar. He played a team sport, but seemed interested only in his solo performance during games. It’s complicated...he was complicated. That was and is the complexity of Ted Williams. According to Navy doctors, Ted had amazing hand-eye coordination and 20/15 vision. He was relentless; determined to be the best at whatever he put his hands to, but he was also immature and unfiltered, lacking nuance. He had a 22 year career, won 6 batting titles, and the last player to hit .400 in a season. He retired with baseball’s highest on-base percentage ever. His 521 career home runs place him among the top 20 of all time, despite missing three seasons while serving in WWII. Ted played his entire career with the Boston Red Sox. He was revered by the likes of Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio. His dedication and flawless delivery were unmatched. Ted Williams really wanted to be the best and he worked tirelessly to be named such.
Read the article in its entirety in the October 2015 Bevil newsletter, which accompanies the cover.
623
4694
First Day of Issue
July 21, 2012
October 2015
Boston, MA 02205
150
70
10
1
1
1
233
For the last few years collectors have been requesting I get this set painted. With sets, the challenge still remain; design them to be individual unique, stand-alone, while keeping them together, not allowing any one single player to "wonder off", doing his own thing, design wise. And of course, we have to work some stars into the covers, right,..all-stars, get it. This will be a great set, enjoyed by collectors for years to come.