Ted Williams, nicknamed "The Splendid Splinter," was a larger than life figure, quick to anger and one to hold grudges, conducting lengthy feuds with reporters, yet also a man with a perfect swing who made an art and science of hitting. Filmmaker Rick Davis’s PBS-aired American Masters documentary, narrated by Jon Hamm, reveals a man dogged by doubts, raised in poverty by indifferent parents, and conflicted over his Mexican-American background. Baseball was where he pursued perfection, particularly long ball hitting, which he emphasized almost to the exclusion of other aspects of the game. Coming to the majors in 1939, within a couple seasons Williams would achieve a mighty season batting average of over .400, a record that still stands almost eight decades later (and may never be broken). His records would be even more impressive had he not served as a Marine pilot in WWII and Korea. Although he somewhat resented his absence from the playing field, Williams served with distinction, and made a seamless return to baseball both times. He could be harsh and profane with fans, wives, and family, but his softer side came out when he was fly fishing or helping children's charities. Baseball experts like Bob Costas along with Williams’s daughter recall the man, and Williams appears in vintage film clips, offering mostly mellow reflections. A surreal postscript is the possible life after life tale of the cryonic freezing of Williams’s body. Extras include additional scenes. A fascinating portrait of an unforgettable character, this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)
Ted Williams
(2018) 60 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.99 w/PPR). PBS Video. SDH captioned. ISBN: 978-1-5317-0605-0. Volume 33, Issue 6
Ted Williams
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