Ted Williams was mentioned in the Los Angeles Times of March 7, 1937, as an up-and-coming youngster with the San Diego Padres. The article, by the Associated Press, opened:
“Long range hitting by Catcher George Detore, formerly of Milwaukee, and Ted Williams, 18-year-old outfielder, attracted the attention of more than 500 fans here today as the San Diego Padres went through their daily spring training drill. . . . Williams, San Diegan entering his second year of professional ball, had his eye on the ball, and he pounded out several terrific drives to deep right and center field.”
On September 2, 1937, the Times covered a 10-5 win by the Padres over the San Francisco Seals. The newspaper said:
“Ted Williams, slugging Padre outfielder, paced the San Diego batting attack again today when he slammed out two home runs, both off the delivery of Sad Sam Gibson, the league’s leading pitcher. The circuit clouts were Williams’s nineteenth and twentieth of the season and duplicated his own stunt of hitting two in one game at [San Diego’s] Lane Field, an accomplishment which has not been equaled by any other player.”
Finally, in early 1938, soon after Williams’ contract was sold to the Red Sox (he spent ’38 with the Minneapolis Millers), Padres manager Frank Shellenback said: “The kid is a natural. While everyone sings Williams’s praises as a slugger, a lot of folks are overlooking what a brilliant oufielder he is. I saw him make some of the most sensational catches I’ve ever seen last year. He covers acres of territory with that long, awkward stride of his, and his throwing compares with Joe DiMaggio’s.”
Misc. Baseball 