Jan. 20, 1966: Ted Williams elected to Hall of Fame

Ted Williams lived up to his nickname at the plate. But during his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility, the votes were anything but splintered. Williams, often referred to as the “Splendid Splinter” for his hitting ability and his slender build, was the only player elected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in the election held 44 years ago this week: Jan. 20, 1966. He received 93.4 percent of the vote, good for the 18th-best percentage all-time. But despite the fact that only one player was elected that year, that 1966 BBWAA ballot turned out to be one of the deepest ever. Of the 47 players on the ballot who were not elected that year, 18 of them have been elected since.