Ted Williams
July 14, 1946
Take your pick of your favorite three-home run game from Teddy Ballgame, he did it three times. While three other players have accomplished this twice in their careers, Williams is the only player in Red Sox history to do it three times.
As impressive as it is any time a player hits three homers in a game, this game may have been the best of the three examples from Williams. The performance came in an 11-10 victory over the Cleveland Indians, with Williams driving in 8 of the runs himself.
His first blast was a grand slam in the 3rd inning that brought the Red Sox back within a run at 5-4. Cleveland tried to pull away again in the 5th by tacking on 3 more runs, but Williams hit a solo shot in the bottom of the inning to keep the Red Sox within striking distance, making it 8-6.
In the bottom of the 8th inning came the big blast, a three-run shot that put Boston ahead for good, 11-10. Cleveland would two runners on in the top of the 9th, but their rally would fall short, securing the game-winner for Williams.
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The 1946 season was his first since returning from a three year absence due to military service, but Williams hadn’t missed a beat. He hit an outstanding .342/.497/.667 with 38 home runs and 123 RBI en route to winning his first MVP award.