Williams got off to a quick start in the Majors with the Red Sox, but he didn't start to gain attention outside of Red Sox Nation until 1940 when he played in the All-Star Game. In 1941, he played in the All-Star Game and won the American League Batting Title. In 1942, Williams played in the All-Star Game, won the American League Batting Title, and won the American League Triple Crown. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy during World War II and missed three seasons from 1943 to 1945 while serving in the Pacific Theatre. In 1946, he made his return to the Major Leagues, hit for the cycle, played in the All-Star Game and was named the American League Most Valuable Player. In 1947, he played in the All-Star Game, won the American League Batting Title, and won the American League Triple Crown. In 1948, he played in the All-Star Game and won the American League Batting Title. In 1949, he played in the All-Star Game, finished the season with 43 home runs, and was named the American League Most Valuable Player. He played in the All-Star Game in 1950. He played in the All-Star Game in 1951. He enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps. during the Korean War and missed most of the 1952 and 1953 seasons, although he played in the All-Star Game in '53. He played in the All-Star Game in 1954. He played in the All-Star Game in 1955. In 1956, he became a true franchise player by playing in his 15th season with the Red Sox and played in the All-Star Game. In 1957, he played in the All-Star Game and won the American League Batting Title. In 1958, he played in the All-Star Game and won the American League Batting Title. He played in the All-Star Game in 1959. In 1960, he played in the All-Star Game and hit his 500th career home run before retiring. Williams hit three home runs in a game on three occasions in his career. He finished his career with a franchise-record 521 career home runs during his time with the Red Sox. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966. He managed the Washington Senators from 1969 to 1971 and stayed on as manager when the team was contracted and relocated to Arlington, Texas and became the Texas Rangers.
Honorable Mention:
3B Arlie Latham, St. Louis Browns
Latham broke into the Majors with the Buffalo Bisons in 1880. He went back to the Minors after that and returned to the Majors with the Browns (of the now-defunct American Association) in 1883. He stole 129 bases in 1887. He stole 109 bases in 1888. He split the 1890 season between the Chicago Pirates (of the now defunct Players League) and the Cincinnati Reds. He stole 87 bases in 1891. He returned to the Browns (who by now had joined the National League) in 1896 before retiring. He briefly attempted a comeback in 1899 with the Washington Senators and again in 1909 with the New York Giants. Latham finished his career with 742 stolen bases. It is hard to judge a player like Latham. His claim to fame is probably stolen bases, but statisticians didn't even start keeping track of steals until 1886. In addition he played in rival leagues such as the American Association and the Players League that the National League (and now MLB) has attempted to bury in baseball history. Perhaps the best way to judge him would be based on contemporary reports and his place amongst old-time baseball historians. But Latham's career basically ended in 1895 and the Hall of Fame wasn't even invented until 1935, so even old-time historians are uninformed about him. Regardless, he's certainly worthy of an honorable mention.
1B Roy Sievers, Washington Senators
Sievers burst onto the scene in 1949 when he won the Rookie of the Year Award with the St. Louis Browns. He enlisted in the U. S. Military during the Korean War and missed most of the 1951, 1952, and 1953 seasons. He returned to the Majors full-time in 1954 and joined the Senators. He played in the All-Star Game in 1956. In 1957, he played in the All-Star Game and finished the season with 42 home runs. He played in the All-Star Game in 1959. He went to the White Sox in 1960. He played in the All-Star Game in 1961. He spent parts of three seasons with Philadelphia and returned to the Senators for parts of another two before he retired. Sievers finished his career with 318 home runs but he was snubbed for the Hall of Fame. And he won't make this list either.
LF Ron Gant, Atlanta Braves
Gant first came onto the scene in 1988 with the Braves when he was named to the Topps All-Rookie Team. In 1990, he won a Player-of-the-Week Award and finished the season with 32 home runs and 33 stolen bases. In 1991, he was suspended for one game for bumping an umpire, finished the season with 32 home runs and 34 stolen bases, and won a Silver Slugger Award. He played in the All-Star Game in 1992. He missed the entire 1994 season due to injury. He returned to the Majors with Cincinnati in 1995 and was suspended for four games for participating in a brawl, won a Player-of-the-Week Award, participated in the Home Run Derby, played in the All-Star Game, won a Silver Slugger Award and was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year. He finished his career by playing parts of two seasons with Philadelphia and Oakland, a season in San Diego and cups of coffee in Anaheim and Colorado. Gant finished his career with 321 home runs but was snubbed for the Hall of Fame and didn't make the cut for this list either.
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