The quest to get a Ted Williams statue built in San Diego

by Dex on Feb 21, 2012 10:12 AM PST

Bill Swank, the local baseball historian has been trying to get a Ted Williams statue erected at the old Lane Field site downtown. Some of you don't know this, but Ted Williams, of Boston Red Sox fame, was born and raised in San Diego and played for the minor league Padres at Lane Field. Swank has been pitching to the city that a statue be made and displayed in Ted Williams' honor downtown.

Other than being a baseball historian, Bill Swank is also known for being Balboa Park's Santa Clause during ~~Christmas on the Prado~~ the holiday season. I'm not completely sure why, but he tried to use that as leverage to get the Ted Williams statue project going.

We missed it during the holiday season, but this is what happened...

Personally, I think there are probably better ways to mobilize the public and get this thing built, but you do what you know. Bill Swank knows Santa Clause. I know how to blog badly.

Luckily though, there seems to be some progress. I'm not sure what, if anything, we can do to get this statue built, but at the very least, we can let people know that the effort is underway.

If they do get a statue built, I propose that the base be made of untreated Northern White Ash (Williams' wood of choice for bats) that people can rub and get splinters from. Then they can walk away saying stuff like, "It hurts... But what a splendid splinter!"

Poll

Should the City of San Diego erect a statue downtown in Ted Williams' honor?

Yes. Duh. Splendid idea.

150 votes

No. Why spend tax payer dollars on something that gives you splinters? Have you not heard of the rising costs of medical insurance?

45 votes

195 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 36 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

Perhaps he should encourage people to voluntarily spend their own money on a statue.

Or even better, he could spend his own.

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by Melvin Nieves on Feb 21, 2012 10:28 AM PST reply actions

I'm sure they could raise the money...

You need city approval before you get any public art displayed though. I put the tax payer stuff just because I couldn’t think of any reason why somebody might oppose this.

by Dex on Feb 21, 2012 10:37 AM PST up reply actions

The only reason I would oppose it is because I think we could get private dollars for it...

otherwise this is a ‘splendid idea.’

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by Jsn L on Feb 21, 2012 7:34 PM PST up reply actions

but but but...he was a Red Sox

or is it Sock?

On the other hand, you have different fingers.

by Hormel on Feb 21, 2012 10:41 AM PST reply actions

Socks?

I’d want the statue to be him in his PCL uniform… And then I’d want a QR code underneath it where people can buy old timey time PCL gear.

by Dex on Feb 21, 2012 10:52 AM PST up reply actions

QR code underneath where?

his taint?

On the other hand, you have different fingers.

by Hormel on Feb 21, 2012 1:40 PM PST up reply actions

I assume there is a video that is blocked for me at the moment

does it address where the funding would come from or how much it would cost?

I think public funding for public art is a good thing…within reason. Those giant wing statues that cost a few million dollars they want to build…I don’t like that.

BEAT L.A.!

by kevintheoman on Feb 21, 2012 10:59 AM PST reply actions

Wings of Freedom will be 100% financed by a private donor. Not sure where people keep getting the idea that taxpayers will foot the bill. That being said… its very ugly.

by soulSD on Feb 21, 2012 2:24 PM PST via Android app up reply actions

I like Wings of Freedom

Name is pretty terrible though. Also, the original idea for it being the roof of an ampitheater that could raise and lower is much better than it just being the sails.

by Dex on Feb 21, 2012 2:33 PM PST up reply actions

Exactly, the theater would be infinitely cooler. I imagie the comparisons to Sydney would get annoying.

I dont like the wings because they are entirely TOO big and garish. San Diego is classy…

Id rather the philanthropist donate the money to retrofit Coronado bridge with chrome wind turbines.

by soulSD on Feb 21, 2012 2:44 PM PST via Android app up reply actions

I voted no because he played for Boston.

I don’t think that any other ball park or city has a statue of a guy who never played for the home team. But Ted finished his career on bad terms with the fans in Boston. They don’t want a statue of Ted over there so I guess if San Diego wants one, we can make an exception. He deserves a statue somewhere. Can I change my vote?

by oahu420 on Feb 21, 2012 11:41 AM PST reply actions

You can change your vote! But not really...

Babe Ruth has a statue in Baltimore. http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/202541941/

Also, Ted Williams did play for the PCL Padres so it’s not like we’d have a statue of him in a Red Sock jersey. It would be a real young Ted Williams in a PCL uni. http://www.milb.com/milb/images/history/icons/williams.jpg

by Dex on Feb 21, 2012 11:46 AM PST up reply actions

Also, He didn't exactly have the chance to play for the Major League Padres

considering he retired in 1960. The Padres weren’t a major league team until 1969. What was he supposed to do? Decline to play for the Red Sox and stay a minor leaguer?

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by Nater Tater on Feb 21, 2012 1:58 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Has Ted Williams ever been a San Diego Sports Star?

No further discussion needed

He’s a red sox, he’s not a Padre

This is retiring Steve Garvey’s number part deux

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by TheAxManCometh on Feb 21, 2012 12:41 PM PST reply actions

Really?

Ted Williams is probably the most famous and historically significant athlete San Diego has ever produced. And he did play for the PCL Padres. Helped get them a PCL pennant.

by Dex on Feb 21, 2012 1:26 PM PST up reply actions 4 recs

in that case

Then there are a TON of great san Diego sports players that we could build statues of here. Williams, Walton, and many others. Maybe we could have a “Our Teams are not Great, but we helped a lot of others people’s teams succeed” museum. Just because he is from here doesn’t mean he has a lot of meaning to San Diego sports.

by Ualtar on Feb 21, 2012 6:03 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

But, in my eyes, where the statue will be is just as important

Lane Field began hosting games the same year that Ted Williams started playing. He brought people to that field to see him. Spent the first 2 years of his baseball career on that field. They’re not just sticking a statue anywhere. They want to put it where it all began with a statue of the man who was at the forefront. I see nothing wrong in bringing Ted Williams back home.

Why ask a failed romance to come watch your successful one? You know, that's like inviting the Seattle Mariners to a World Series game. It's just weird for everyone.

by Friar Fever on Feb 21, 2012 6:09 PM PST up reply actions

how many San Diegans know Williams played for the PCL Padres? How many San Diegans know there was a PCL Padres? If a private person wants to spend their money then great. Other then that it is kind of a stretch to make a statue for him here.

by Ualtar on Feb 21, 2012 7:53 PM PST up reply actions

You know there's a freeway named after him in San Diego, right?

You knew Ted Williams was born in San Diego, right?

by Dex on Feb 21, 2012 7:56 PM PST up reply actions

Yes

I found out not to long ago, might have been the UT or this blog maybe. I associate him with Boston though and not San Diego. If the city is to build a statue it makes a lot more sense to build one that is related to somebody associated with San Diego. Trevor would be a good choice. Some of the legendary football players for the Chargers might work too.

by Ualtar on Feb 21, 2012 8:09 PM PST up reply actions

"Who said I don't deserve a statue in my hometown?"

“That guy right there, Mr. Williams.”

Why ask a failed romance to come watch your successful one? You know, that's like inviting the Seattle Mariners to a World Series game. It's just weird for everyone.

by Friar Fever on Feb 22, 2012 8:24 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs

You found out there's a freeway named after him from the newspaper?

Not one of the big signs on the freeway that says “Ted Williams Freeway”?

by Darklighter on Feb 22, 2012 9:53 AM PST up reply actions

Well to be fair the state named the highway after him...

Not the city. The state controls the names of all freeways and state highways in California.

by athletics68 on Feb 22, 2012 2:11 PM PST up reply actions

If people don't know, that's one more reason to put up a statue.

They need to be educated.

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by TheThinGwynn on Feb 21, 2012 9:23 PM PST up reply actions 5 recs

I have a totally different perspective

I didn’t realize that there were baseball fans in San Diego didn’t think highly of Ted Williams. I always thought it was pretty cool that Ted Williams was born and raised in San Diego. Like no offense to Bill Walton, but Ted Williams is regarded as what… The second greatest baseball player ever? There aren’t a “ton” of great San Diego sports players that are considered among the greatest to ever play their sports.

Like nobody wants a statue of Brad Ausmus or Aaron Boone put up or anything. This is Ted Williams.

by Dex on Feb 21, 2012 7:54 PM PST up reply actions 6 recs

Actually he was

For the PCL Padres. So your argument is flawed.

by athletics68 on Feb 21, 2012 3:32 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Timing could be perfect

I was reading the other day about developing the parking lot where Lane Field was. It included a hotel or something. But also included would be recreating the exact location of the pichers mound and home plate. Then having the foul lines light up at night.

"I'M NOT GOING TO ASK HIM FOR F_CKING TICKETS, DEX. I DON'T NEED A DEAL ON A F_CKING LUXURY SUITE." - Mike

by Jonny Dub on Feb 21, 2012 3:07 PM PST reply actions

the statue

could be that unmistakable TW swing at home plate.

"I'M NOT GOING TO ASK HIM FOR F_CKING TICKETS, DEX. I DON'T NEED A DEAL ON A F_CKING LUXURY SUITE." - Mike

by Jonny Dub on Feb 21, 2012 3:08 PM PST up reply actions

"I'M NOT GOING TO ASK HIM FOR F_CKING TICKETS, DEX. I DON'T NEED A DEAL ON A F_CKING LUXURY SUITE." - Mike

by Jonny Dub on Feb 21, 2012 9:14 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

heh heh heh heh heh

“erect”

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Destroying your facts with opinions

by justdave on Feb 21, 2012 3:07 PM PST reply actions

Don't see why not

If they want to erect it at Lane Field, where the city is already going to redevelop the area including putting the infield back in place, it would make sense. Williams was one of the most famous players to ever play for the PCL Padres back in the day. That said it really should be paid for by private parties.

by athletics68 on Feb 21, 2012 3:34 PM PST reply actions