Even Against Odds, He Could Swing It

Of the six batting titles won by Ted Williams, the most celebrated was his .406 of 1941, but Pete Runnels, a two-time batting champion, says Williams was even more impressive in 1958 when the two battled for the title as teammates for the Boston Red Sox.

Runnels told Art Sturgeon of the Providence Journal: “I had been traded from Washington that year and we finished the season with four games there. Most of our players were rooting for me because I had never won one. Naturally, all my old teammates on Washington were on my side.

“In fact, Clint Courtney, their catcher, was trying to help me by telling me what was coming on every pitch. He kept reminding me that Eddie Yost was playing way back at third base so I could bunt for base hits. Most of the fans were probably rooting for Ted to win, but that weekend Ted was going against me and two teams.”

It wasn’t enough. With two games to go they were even, but Williams was first at the wire. Williams batted .328, Runnels .322.

Williams was 40 years old.

Said A.C. Green when asked after his 21-point performance Sunday if the Lakers had any plays for him and his backup, Kurt Rambis: “There’s some. A few. Kurt and I always talk about how long they’re going to stay in our playbook.”

What’s-in-a-name dept.: The winner of the Budweiser Breeders’ Cup for 2-year-olds Sunday at Belmont Park was Imbibe.

Trivia Time: What do Jose Canseco, Curtis Strange and Mario Andretti have in common? (Answer below.)

Said meet promoter Al Franken when asked if he will enlist a “rabbit” to pace Mary Decker Slaney in her bid for a 2,000-meter record in the Michelob Invitational June 25 at San Diego: “We don’t need one. We’ve already got a couple.”

They are Buffy Rabbitt of UC Irvine and Anne Hare of New Zealand. Hare holds her country’s record in the women’s mile.

From U.S. volleyball star Steve Timmons, on the public’s perception of the game: “Sixteen people at the beach who quit when the hamburgers are ready.”

The greatest golf swing in history? If you said Sam Snead, you agree with Golf Digest. Other bests listed by the magazine after a survey:

Driver--Jack Nicklaus; woods--Gene Sarazen; irons--Ben Hogan; putter--Bobby Locke.

Best sand player--Gary Player; best scrambler--Seve Ballesteros; best personality--Arnold Palmer; best teacher--Tommy Armour.

Best shot--Sarazen’s double eagle in the 1935 Masters; best round--Johnny Miller’s 63 at Oakmont in the 1973 U.S. Open.

Add Armour: When Tommy Armour III was asked if he played with clubs carrying the name of his grandfather, he shook his head.

“Hogans,” he said.

Trivia Answer: All three have twin brothers. They are Ozzie Canseco, Alan Strange and Aldo Andretti.

Quotebook

Mac O’Grady, defending the toughness of the U.S. Open course at Brookline, Mass.: “A smooth sea never develops a skillful sailor.”