Ted Williams' .406 Season (1941)

Lore & Background

Williams was one of the biggest stories of the 1941 major league season. He led the American League in batting average (.406), home runs (37), runs scored (135), on-base percentage (.553), slugging percentage (.735), and walks drawn (145). He also led MLB in reaching base safely in 69 consecutive games. His .553 on-base percentage set a 20th-century record for highest on-base percentage in one season. Williams finished 4th in the AL in RBI (120). The Red Sox finished second in the American League with a record of 84 wins and 70 losses, 17 games behind the New York Yankees.

In Their Own Story

The 1941 season saw Ted Williams put together one of the greatest offensive campaigns in baseball history. He led the major leagues in batting average (.406), home runs (37), runs scored (135), on-base percentage (.553), slugging percentage (.735), and walks drawn (145). His .553 on-base percentage set a 20th-century record. Williams also reached base safely in 69 consecutive games, leading the AL in that category. He finished 4th in the AL in RBI with 120. The Red Sox offense scored the most runs of any major league team, but the club finished second in the AL at 84-70, 17 games behind the Yankees.

Did You Know?

• Williams is, as of 2022, the last player to bat .400 in a full season.
• He reached base safely in 69 consecutive games during the 1941 season.
• His .553 on-base percentage set a 20th-century record for highest in one season.
• Williams led MLB in batting average, home runs, runs scored, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and walks drawn in 1941.
• He finished 4th in the AL in RBI with 120.