Williams Refused to be Traded

[LouGehrig]

The Red Sox won the 1946 pennant, tied the Indians for the 1948 pennant but lost a one game playoff, and finished one game behind the Yankees in 1949. Following the 1951 season, Boston owner Tom Yawkey decided that since the Sox couldn’t win with Ted Williams, they might be able to win without him. Trade rumors swirled that the greatest left fielder in Boston Red Sox history would be gone before the start of the 1952 season.

http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/lougehrigisback

[LouGehrig]

It just worked. Anyway, here is a link that should work. What surprised me was that Boudreau, who created the Williams shift, was so anxious to trade Williams. Was it Yawkey who backed down, forcing Boudreau to back down, or did they realize that Williams really would retire and they would get nothing for him and still lose him?

http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/lougehrigisback

[KCGHOST]

Doesn't this story involve a lot of liquor and trader's remorse on the part of the Yankees the following morning??

[Steve Jeltz]

Frank Lane turned down a Williams for Chico Carrasquel trade! Are you kidding me? Nothing against Carrasquel, but what was Trader Lane thinking?

[LouGehrig]

I didn't believe when I read it, but it was in the New York Times, which means simply that it was reported. There had to be more than was reported, and that is often a problem when the news is presented.