Senators Saturday - Ted Williams, 1971.

Senators manager Ted Williams seems to be having a good time here on card number 380 of the 1971 Topps set. Good thing he got a laugh in early, he wouldn't have much to smile about during the season.

In Williams' third season at the helm the Senators lost seven more games than the season before. Their 63-96 record put them fifth in the American League East. They ended up 38.5 games behind the Division Champion Orioles and only 4.5 games ahead of the last place Indians.

In addition to the official standings, Washington was at the bottom of the A.L. in several key offensive categories: batting average, hits, and slugging percentage. They were second to last in home runs. Things weren't much better on the mound. The team ranked next to last in complete games, strikeouts, balks, and WHIP. The team also committed the second most errors in the American League.

Tough season for Teddy Ballgame. Just like the fans he was getting increasingly frustrated with owner Bob Short and the Senators inability to climb in the standings. Unlike the fans this was only his third year dealing with the situation. Also unlike the fans, he would have another year before calling it quits.