Editor’s note: Fenway Park opened on April 20, 1912. NESN.com will be celebrating Fenway’s 100-year anniversary with unique content from now until April 20, 2012.
Ted Williams showed no signs of slowing down, even as crossed into his 40s.
The Red Sox slugger won his fifth batting title and hit at a .388 mark at the age of 40 in 1957, but Boston finished a distant third place in the AL.
In September of that season, Williams set a record that still stands, reaching base safely in 16 consecutive at-bats.
On Sept. 22, New York pitchers were so wary of facing Williams that they walked him three times. Williams saw one strike that day and he knocked it out of the park for a grand slam.
Williams hit an astonishing .454 in the second half of the season, but finished second in the MVP race to Mickey Mantle.
Frank Sullivan (14-11, 2.73 ERA) tossed another good season and Frank Malzone played well, earning a Gold Glove for his work at third base, but it wasn't enough for the Sox.
Malzone, who entered the league midway through the 1956 season, didn't qualify for the Rookie of the Year Award.
In May, the Sox were 5 1/2 games off the pace, but they were never any closer the rest of the way.
Boston writers voted to continue to keep women from the press box, a move that excluded Cleveland writer Doris O'Donnell.
For more information on Fenway Park, visit Fenway Park 100.
