54 Years Ago In Time

Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said last week his squad defeated their rivals "for all the great Red Sox players who never found a way to beat the Yankees." Among those greats was TED WILLIAMS, who never won a World Series in his Sox career.

Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox looked as fit as an Indian buck ... But as usual Ted Williams had a number of worries at the back of his mind ... On paper the Sox have the best first team in the business, but they are weak "on the bench," i.e., in replacements. Midseason injuries to such mainstays as dependable Bobby Doerr and hustling hard-hitting (39 homers last year) Vernon Stephens could well put the Sox out of the running. Pennants are never won on paper, and for the past two seasons the Sox have been nosed out of the race on the last day. This year, as last, the Yankees may well outrun them, but no expert would care to guarantee the outcome of the 1950 race ... Ted Williams, never a bawling optimist, figures the Sox have a 50-50 chance ("at the outside"). Says Ted: "I'd sure like for us to get it. It would be one of the greatest thrills of my life." --TIME, April 10, 1950