Ted Williams’ Life, Career Is Basis of Feature Movie

Hall of Famer Ted Williams, who made headlines with his fiery temperament almost as much as with his booming bat in a baseball career spanning four decades, is ready to let it all hang out in a movie on his life.

“I think it should be honest and fair,” Williams said at a news conference formally announcing plans for the movie with the tentative title “Hitter.”

“I’ve had my ups and downs, good and bad, and I think it all should be in there,” said Williams, who hit .344 with 521 homers for the Boston Red Sox from 1939 to 1960 in a career interrupted by service in World War II and the Korean War.

Williams, mellowing but still opinionated and highly vocal at 67, said he had no idea who would portray him or even whether he would appear personally in the full-length movie expected to be a major motion picture.

“However, I know who the bad guys will be,” he added with a big laugh while directing a look toward Boston writers.

Williams feuded with many Boston writers because of what he considered unfair criticism throughout his career.

He also fought with the U.S. government before enlisting in the Naval Air Corps in World War II, and again with the Marine Corps when he insisted on combat duty after being recalled in the Korean War. He escaped injury in a crash landing on returning from one mission as a fighter pilot in Korea.

Williams was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1966. He won six batting championship, four home run and four RBI titles and was the AL’s most valuable player in 1946 and 1949.