Dear sir:

Since you have so much knowledge about baseball, I decided to ask for your opinion about the following:

Ref.:Theodore S. Williams (Ted Williams).

It is my believe as many others who love baseball that there is not any question that Ted Williams was “the greatest baseball hitter that ever lived”. However, I personally still have a question in regard of his lifetime batting average .344(?) as well as the famous 1941′s unforgettable .406(?). You may ask, why the question marks?

As we all know Ted Williams played major league baseball from 1939 to 1960, except 1943, 1944 and 1945 due to his active military service. On 1940 MLB reinstated the sacrifice fly rule in which it was counted as time at bat (AB). This rule prevailed until 1954 (13 seasons). Well, if you deduct Ted’s at bats due to the present and still valid sacrifice fly rule, as per my calculations, his real life batting average would be .346 instead the recorded .344, and his memorable .406 of 1941 should be .408 instead.

Your valuable comments will be appreciated.

Tommy, as many others I am one of those frustrated baseball players, however, today at my 75 years I follow MLB with passion as my first sport. Also, let me sincerely congratulate you and your partners for so great job in the Marlins TV broadcast booth, as well as on the field.

Respectfully,
Jose Salgado
papelex@aol.com