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The Wingmen: The Unlikely, Unusual, Unbreakable Friendship Between John Glenn and Ted Williams

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123545
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The untold story of the unique fifty-year friendship between two American icons: John Glenn, the unassailable pioneer of space exploration and Ted Williams, indisputably the greatest hitter in baseball history.

It was 1953, the Korean War in full throttle, when two men—already experts in their fields—crossed the fabled 38th Parallel into Communist airspace aboard matching Panther jets. John Glenn was an ambitious operations officer with fifty-nine World War II combat missions under his belt. His wingman was Ted Williams, the two-time American League Triple Crown winner who, at the pinnacle of his career, had been inexplicably recalled to active service in the United States Marine Corps. Together, the affable flier and the notoriously tempestuous left fielder soared into North Korea, creating a death-defying bond. Although, over the next half century, their contrasting lives were challenged by exhilarating highs and devastating lows, that bond would endure.

Through unpublished letters, unit diaries, declassified military records, manuscripts, and new and illuminating interviews, The Wingmen reveals an epic and intimate portrait of two heroes—larger-than-life and yet ineffably human, ordinary men who accomplished the extraordinary. At its heart, this was a conflicted friendship that found commonality in mutual respect—throughout the perils of war, sports dominance, scientific innovation, cutthroat national politics, the burden of celebrity, and the meaning of bravery. Now, author Adam Lazarus sheds light on a largely forgotten chapter in these legends’ lives—as singular individuals, inspiring patriots, and eventually, however improbable, profoundly close friends.

  • Author: Adam Lazarus
  • Hardcover: 304 pages
  • Published: August 2023
  • Dimensions: 6.2 x 9.3 x 1.1 inches
Player Biography
Theodore Samuel Williams had only one goal in life: to walk down the street and have people say, “There goes the greatest hitter who ever lived.” In a 19-year career with the Boston Red Sox, twice interrupted by military service, “The Splendid Splinter” won two Triple Crowns, two Most Valuable Player awards and six batting championships. He retired with a career average of .344, and remains the last player to top .400 for a full season when he hit .406 in 1941. With keen eyesight, quick wrists and a simple motto – “Get a good ball to hit” – Williams compiled strong evidence that he achieved his goal.

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The untold story of the unique fifty-year friendship between two American icons: John Glenn, the unassailable pioneer of space exploration and Ted Williams, indisputably the greatest hitter in baseball history.

It was 1953, the Korean War in full throttle, when two men—already experts in their fields—crossed the fabled 38th Parallel into Communist airspace aboard matching Panther jets. John Glenn was an ambitious operations officer with fifty-nine World War II combat missions under his belt. His wingman was Ted Williams, the two-time American League Triple Crown winner who, at the pinnacle of his career, had been inexplicably recalled to active service in the United States Marine Corps. Together, the affable flier and the notoriously tempestuous left fielder soared into North Korea, creating a death-defying bond. Although, over the next half century, their contrasting lives were challenged by exhilarating highs and devastating lows, that bond would endure.

Through unpublished letters, unit diaries, declassified military records, manuscripts, and new and illuminating interviews, The Wingmen reveals an epic and intimate portrait of two heroes—larger-than-life and yet ineffably human, ordinary men who accomplished the extraordinary. At its heart, this was a conflicted friendship that found commonality in mutual respect—throughout the perils of war, sports dominance, scientific innovation, cutthroat national politics, the burden of celebrity, and the meaning of bravery. Now, author Adam Lazarus sheds light on a largely forgotten chapter in these legends’ lives—as singular individuals, inspiring patriots, and eventually, however improbable, profoundly close friends.

  • Author: Adam Lazarus
  • Hardcover: 304 pages
  • Published: August 2023
  • Dimensions: 6.2 x 9.3 x 1.1 inches
Player Biography
Theodore Samuel Williams had only one goal in life: to walk down the street and have people say, “There goes the greatest hitter who ever lived.” In a 19-year career with the Boston Red Sox, twice interrupted by military service, “The Splendid Splinter” won two Triple Crowns, two Most Valuable Player awards and six batting championships. He retired with a career average of .344, and remains the last player to top .400 for a full season when he hit .406 in 1941. With keen eyesight, quick wrists and a simple motto – “Get a good ball to hit” – Williams compiled strong evidence that he achieved his goal.

Men's Jerseys

JERSEY SIZE 40 44 48 52 56 60
Size Equivalent S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL
Chest 34 - 36" 38 - 40" 42 - 44" 46 - 48" 50 - 52" 54 - 56" 58 - 60"
Waist 28 - 30" 32 - 34" 36 - 38" 40 - 42" 44 - 46" 48 - 50" 52 - 54"
Hip 34 - 36" 38 - 40" 42 - 44" 46 - 48" 50 - 52" 54 - 56" 58 - 60"