Original Type I photograph capturing Ted Williams kissing his bat in the locker room just after he finished the season with a .406 batting average in 1941. This is an iconic image and one that ran in almost every major newspaper at the time, not to mention subsequent books and periodicals. Despite its familiarity, this is the first Type I example of this photo we have ever offered, and we cannot recall having seen another. As such, it ranks as one of the best Ted Williams photos imaginable and one that would be the highlight of any advanced Ted Williams or baseball photograph collection. An Associated Press credit stamp appears on the reverse, as does a small remnant of the original paper news caption. The photo (7x9") displays several light-to-moderate crease and is in Very Good to Excellent condition. Encapsulated as Type I Authentic by PSA.

The story that led to this moment is well-known to most fans. On September 28, 1941, the Boston Red Sox were in Philadelphia to close out the season at Shibe Park with a doubleheader against the Athletics. The season had long been over as the Red Sox were sitting in second place 17 games out. Ted Williams, the Red Sox' 23-year-old outfielder, was sitting on a batting average of .39955. It was his lowest batting average since July 24th and rounded up, he was sitting right on .400. Red Sox manager Joe Cronin suggested he sit out the twin bill to secure his .400. Williams would have none of it. He went 4-for-5 in the first game to get to .404 and 2-for-3 in the second to finish at .4057 which translated to the iconic .406. It had been 11 years (1930) since Bill Terry hit .401 for the Giants and 18 years (1923) since an AL player, Harry Heilman, reached .403 with the Tigers. We are approaching 75 years since that Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia and baseball still awaits its next .400 hitter.