On September 28, 1941, the legendary Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox concluded the MLB season with a batting average of .406. This achievement marked the last time a player in Major League Baseball has hit over .400 in a single season.
Williams, nicknamed "The Splendid Splinter" and "Teddy Ballgame," was known for his incredible hitting prowess. In the 1941 season, he not only hit .406 but also led the league in runs scored (135), home runs (37), walks (147), and slugging percentage (.735). His on-base percentage of .553 that season is still the highest single-season mark in MLB history.
The feat was particularly impressive because Williams chose to play in a doubleheader on the final day of the season, despite his average being at .3996. His manager gave him the option to sit out and secure a .400 average, but Williams decided to play. He went 6-for-8 across the two games, boosting his average to .406.
Since then, no player has managed to hit .400 or above in a season. The closest anyone has come was Tony Gwynn in 1994, who hit .394 in a season shortened by a players' strike. Williams' .406 batting average remains one of the most iconic achievements in baseball history and a testament to his incredible skill and determination as a hitter.
