This greatest of ballplayers was a close friend to me and to my family. It’s not just that he was a strong supporter back when I was in the political wars. (After I left the political scene, Ted strongly supported both the president and the governor of Florida.) More importantly, he was a friend. He was a loyal guy, a good man.

When I was a young high-school student, a true Red Sox fan back then, I worshiped the ground Ted walked on. So did every other baseball fan. Ted Williams was simply the best hitter in baseball. He knew it, and his confidence at the plate was contagious. Later on Ted became one of the best fly- casting fishermen in the world. As in baseball, excellence was the key word there.

I also loved the way Ted stood up to the sporting press. He called them as he saw ’em. And he did not hesitate to tell off those who he felt had been unfair to him or to his beloved Red Sox. He did things his way. Got a home run in his last at-bat, and didn’t tip his hat.

Ted showed courage at the plate, putting his average on the line instead of sitting to protect it. But beyond that, Ted served his country in two wars. (Lost more than four seasons in the prime of his career in the process.) As a Marine pilot he set a tremendous example for other celebrities in America. He believed in service to country, and indeed he served with honor. While many celebrities found ways to avoid real service, Ted was right there, out front, flying fighter planes.

Long after Ted left Fenway Park, his magic lived on. When he came to the White House to receive a presidential medal, the entire staff was agog. It was as if he had just finished his record-shattering .406 season, the one that no ballplayer has equaled since.

Ted had been fighting illness for a long time. Now he is at peace. His friends will mourn. All baseball fans will say, “Ted, we honor you as the best hitter baseball has ever produced.” That was his goal, and he reached it.

We Bushes will say, “In Ted’s passing, we have lost a true and loyal friend.” Our most sincere condolences go to Ted’s son, John Henry Williams, and to the rest of his family.

Of course there still are heroes. Ted Williams was a true hero–in baseball and in life.