No. 2: Ted Williams, 1949
As great as 1946 was for Williams, I think his 1949 season was better. I know the analytics don't support this thought process, I know it might seem crazy to pick this season over 1946, especially since there's a 1.6 WAR difference between the two (for the non-math majors, Williams generated 9.0 WAR in 1949). I know that this season isn't as regarded because of the Red Sox losing out on the AL Pennant right at the end of the season, so it should sit behind 1946 because of that as well. I understand all of this, but I just think that 1949 is really the best cumulative season of Ted Williams that there is.
Williams should have ended up with his third Triple Crown this year (which is a crazy statement to write), but fell one ten-thousandth of a point short in batting average to lose out on the batting title to Detroit's George Kell, but went ahead and decided to lead the American League in almost every other major offensive statistical category. It's ridiculous, looking back at Williams' numbers, that he only has two MVP awards (seriously, go look at his Baseball Reference, and you'll join me in this outrage). Williams took 13 of the 24 first-place votes this year, and I think if Williams does end up with the Triple Crown this year, then it would have stood more of a chance up against the #1 season.