Baseball Guru
02-17-2002, 06:58 PM
CITRUS HILLS, Fla. (AP) - A frail Ted Williams made a brief and emotional surprise visit Sunday at a ceremony honoring Cal Ripken Jr., Don Mattingly and Jason Giambi at the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame.
The crowd of more than 2,000 buzzed when onlookers spotted a van pull up to the ceremony tent. Williams was lowered to the ground in his wheelchair and rolled to the podium, where he was greeted by a thunderous ovation.
``There he is, ladies and gentleman,'' said former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, the master of ceremonies. ``The greatest hitter that God ever put on earth, Ted Williams!''
His son, John Henry Williams, spoke for the 83-year-old Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer. The younger Williams told the audience how he, his sister Claudia and their famous father have persevered through the debilitating ailments the elder Williams has battled in recent years, including strokes, congestive heart failure and kidney failure.
John Henry Williams said he and his sister have been buoyed by their father's emotional strength.
``Dad, we love you.''
A teary-eyed Williams then left the stage. Shouted one fan: ``You're the man, Ted!'' Williams raised his right hand and slowly saluted the cheering crowd as he was raised into the van.
Williams missed last year's eighth annual induction ceremony, the first and only time he has been absent from the event that bears his name.
Sunday's ninth annual induction ceremony saw five players admitted to the Hitters Hall of Fame: former Boston Red Sox outfielder Dwight Evans; the late New York Yankees home run great Roger Maris, who was represented by his family; St. Louis Cardinals' 10-time All-Star Enos Slaughter; Ripken, the recently retired Orioles star who played in a record 2,632 consecutive games; and Mattingly, the former Yankees first baseman.
``There's nothing else that makes you feel any prouder than that Ted Williams thinks you can hit,'' Mattingly said.
Giambi, the former Oakland A's first baseman who signed a seven-year, $120-million contract with the Yankees in the offseason, was honored as AL Hitter of the Year.
Two pitchers, Virgil Trucks and two-time American League Cy Young award winner Gaylord Perry, were chosen for the Wall of Great Achievement. Also honored was former Detroit star Al Kaline.
Honorees who did not attend Sunday included San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, the National League Hitter of the Year; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who won the Splendid Splinter Award; Yankees infielder Alfonso Soriano, who won the AL Rookie of the Year award; and Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols, who won NL Rookie of the Year honors.
The crowd of more than 2,000 buzzed when onlookers spotted a van pull up to the ceremony tent. Williams was lowered to the ground in his wheelchair and rolled to the podium, where he was greeted by a thunderous ovation.
``There he is, ladies and gentleman,'' said former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, the master of ceremonies. ``The greatest hitter that God ever put on earth, Ted Williams!''
His son, John Henry Williams, spoke for the 83-year-old Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer. The younger Williams told the audience how he, his sister Claudia and their famous father have persevered through the debilitating ailments the elder Williams has battled in recent years, including strokes, congestive heart failure and kidney failure.
John Henry Williams said he and his sister have been buoyed by their father's emotional strength.
``Dad, we love you.''
A teary-eyed Williams then left the stage. Shouted one fan: ``You're the man, Ted!'' Williams raised his right hand and slowly saluted the cheering crowd as he was raised into the van.
Williams missed last year's eighth annual induction ceremony, the first and only time he has been absent from the event that bears his name.
Sunday's ninth annual induction ceremony saw five players admitted to the Hitters Hall of Fame: former Boston Red Sox outfielder Dwight Evans; the late New York Yankees home run great Roger Maris, who was represented by his family; St. Louis Cardinals' 10-time All-Star Enos Slaughter; Ripken, the recently retired Orioles star who played in a record 2,632 consecutive games; and Mattingly, the former Yankees first baseman.
``There's nothing else that makes you feel any prouder than that Ted Williams thinks you can hit,'' Mattingly said.
Giambi, the former Oakland A's first baseman who signed a seven-year, $120-million contract with the Yankees in the offseason, was honored as AL Hitter of the Year.
Two pitchers, Virgil Trucks and two-time American League Cy Young award winner Gaylord Perry, were chosen for the Wall of Great Achievement. Also honored was former Detroit star Al Kaline.
Honorees who did not attend Sunday included San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, the National League Hitter of the Year; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who won the Splendid Splinter Award; Yankees infielder Alfonso Soriano, who won the AL Rookie of the Year award; and Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols, who won NL Rookie of the Year honors.