The last man to hit .400 in a season — Ted Williams' .406 average in 1941, combined with six batting titles and two Triple Crowns, makes him the greatest pure hitter in baseball history.
Theodore Samuel Williams was born in San Diego in 1918 and is regarded as the greatest pure hitter in baseball history. His .344 career batting average, .482 on-base percentage — the all-time record — and .634 slugging percentage stand above all others. He is the last player to hit .400 in a season, batting .406 in 1941. He won two Triple Crowns (1942, 1947), two MVP awards and six batting titles. He served as a combat pilot in both World War II and the Korean War, missing nearly five full seasons at his peak. He was a 19-time All-Star. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966.
Last player to hit .400 in a season (.406 in 1941)
How They Played
Left-handed power hitter with exceptional plate discipline
Lasting Impact
Greatest hitter who ever lived, last .400 hitter
World Series finalist
He lost nearly five of his prime seasons to military service in two wars — despite which he finished with 521 home runs and a .344 career average.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- World Series finalist
- 2x AL MVP
- 6x batting champion
- 2x Triple Crown
- .406 batting average 1941 (last to hit .400)