Hi everyone:

Since I'm still pretty new here, I don't know how much people care about details or about hearing what other people had to say about Duke. But I thought this might be worth sharing. I mentioned in my "how did I become a JW fan" post that I'd always been a big admirer of baseball great Ted Williams. People were always comparing Ted to JW because he was so big and brash (lots of cussin') and he served in WWII and Korea as a fighter pilot.

Anyway, here's the pic I mentioned of Ted & Duke together. I thought it might be worth sharing... Keep in mind that this was inside a huge coffee table book and it was hard to get the danged thing on the scanner. Sorry it's a bit distorted.

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~jwelsh/duke&ted3.jpg

Here's what Ted says about Duke in his book, Ted Williams: My Life in Pictures:

Myself with John Wayne. I met him twice. This time was at a Jimmy Fund event up in Boston. The little guy between us is Red Buttons. Bruce Cabot and Patrick Wayne -- the Duke's son -- that's them on the left.

John Wayne was just absolutely something special. Oh, Geez, yes. I thought he was always the best. I would sit in the back of the damn theater -- 1934, '35, and '36, and at a double header, double feature, I would go in there and I would be in the back. G*d, I couldn't wait for the damn thing to start. Here it started. It played about half of the first reel and I never will forget -- this is as honest as I could ever say anything in my life -- I'm watching that movie and I remember when I got up from my seat and stretched a little bit, I said, "I don't know whether this guy can act or not, but I sure like to watch him." I said that to my buddy. Even today I could be here and we would be talking, and if I heard his voice in the other room, even knowing it might just be on television, he would make me pause.

hi jen,

just had a look at your photo it didn't turn out to bad in fact it turned out pretty good seeing red there make you realise just how tall jw was. if you have any more post them so we can have a look

cheers smokey

Originally posted by A Girl Named Jen@Aug 29 2003, 06:19 AM
Hi everyone:

Since I'm still pretty new here, I don't know how much people care about details or about hearing what other people had to say about Duke.* But I thought this might be worth sharing.
Jen,

We care and we LOVE it!! That was definitely worth sharing. Great photo and narration, thanks!!

Now we'll all be looking for that book at the used book stores . . . :D .

Chester

Jen, like Chester said, we NEVER tire of hearing stories. Thanks for sharing that picture. I am also a die-hard baseball fan and love the players who made the game what it is today. Ted was a great one! dukefan1

Hi Jen,
That picture turned out really good. I thought it was a good one. By the looks of all the smiles seemed like they must have been having a great time. I bet that was quite an evening.
Thanks,
Little Duke

Hey there Jen,

That is a great shot of Duke and his son. I didn't know that Duke was that much taller than his son. He was a big man. That is really good. Thanks for sharing the pic, and the story. I never knew that Ted Williams was a great fan of Duke before he made the transition into "A" pictures.

Keep up with the stories, and great to have you on the board, Jen

Cheers, Hondo B)

I'm really glad you guys liked the pic. Thanks for the feedback. I know Duke was big (6'4"?) but Red Buttons must've been teeeeeeny!

dukefan1, you can't get much more American than baseball and John Wayne. Two icons in one picture is a treat. Throw an apple pie in there and you're really set. :)

Hi Jen

It was indeed a very good picture and thanks for shareing it with us as well as the trivia. Im sure when Ted Williams watched some of Dukes post 1939 movies he would have been convinced that not only could the Duke act but he was one of the greatest at it.

:agent: