1956–1960 On July 17 1956, Williams became the fifth player to hit 400 home runs, following Mel Ott in 1941, Jimmie Foxx in 1938, Lou Gehrig in 1936, and Babe Ruth in 1927. Three weeks later at home against the Yankees on August 7, after Williams was booed for dropping a fly ball from Mickey Mantle, he spat at one of the fans who was taunting him on the top of the dugout;Montville, pp. 197–198. Williams was fined $5,000 for the incident.Montville, p. 198. The following night against Baltimore, Williams was greeted by a large ovation, and received an even larger one when he hit a home run in the sixth inning to break a 2–2 tie. In the Boston Globe, the publishers ran a "What Globe Readers Say About Ted" section made out of letters about Williams, which were either the sportswriters or the "loud mouths" in the stands. Williams explained years later, "From '56 on, I realized that people were for me. The writers had written that the fans should show me they didn't want me, and I got the biggest ovation yet".Montville, p. 199. Williams lost the batting title to Mickey Mantle in 1956, batting .345 to Mantle's .353, with Mantle on his way to winning the Triple Crown.Williams & Underwood, p. 197.
1956–1960 on july 17 1956 williams became the fifth player to hit 400 home runs following mel ott in 1941 jimmie foxx in 1938 lou gehrig in 1936 and babe ruth in 1927 three weeks later at home against the yankees on august 7 after williams was booed for dropping a fly ball from mickey mantle he spat at one of the fans who was taunting him on the top of the dugout;montville pp 197–198 williams was fined $5000 for the incidentmontville p 198 the following night against baltimore williams was greeted by a large ovation and received an even larger one when he hit a home run in the sixth inning to break a 2–2 tie in the boston globe the publishers ran a "what globe readers say about ted" section made out of letters about williams which were either the sportswriters or the "loud mouths" in the stands williams explained years later "from '56 on i realized that people were for me the writers had written that the fans should show me they didn't want me and i got the biggest ovation yet"montville p 199 williams lost the batting title to mickey mantle in 1956 batting 345 to mantle's 353 with mantle on his way to winning the triple crownwilliams & underwood p 197