Ted Williams – 1939-1960
Of all the players in MLB history to appear in four different decades, Ted Williams may have played the fewest years. He is credited with appearing in 19 major league seasons, but he lost three years to World War Two, and most of another two seasons due to the Korean War.
When he was not in the military, Williams was one of the best players in the history of the game. His prowess with the bat is legendary, as the Red Sox legend is remembered for being the last player to hit .400 in a season. However, Williams was also a formidable power hitter, leading the league in homers four times, and belting 521 home runs in his career.
It did not matter which decade Williams played in – he would power the ball over the fence. During his rookie campaign in 1939, Williams hit 31 homers, the third most in the American League. In his final season in 1960, Williams belted another 29 home runs, including one in his final major league at bat.
One has to wonder what Williams career numbers would have looked like had he not lost those five seasons. He finished with 2654 hits, so he would likely have joined the 3000 hit club. He would have also been the first player in major league history with 3000 hits and 500 homers, making him the member of another exclusive club.
The first player in MLB history to homer in four different decades, Ted Williams was one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Yet, one still has to wonder what could have been.