If Ted Williams hadn't taken four seasons out of the prime of his career to do his duty as a U.S. Marine; he would now be regarded as the greatest baseball hitter of all time, (instead of the fourth or fifth) and possibly the greatest PLAYER of all time (instead of 8th to 10th as he currently polls).
Williams always considered himself a Marine first, and a ball player second. Good man.
Followup proposition: Against todays pitching (and defense in general), the great hitters of the 30's through 60's would be mediocre players. Todays level of training, preparation, athleticism, and natural talent is so high that none but the absolute best of the games past could measure up.
Example: 2003 ALCS
