1938 - THE ROAD TO HIS FIRST TRIPLE CROWN    It's not surprising that the 23 homers and 98 runs driven during the '37 season caught the attention of the Red Sox. They exercised their option on Ted and purchased his contract (in December '37). Williams signed a two-year deal worth $3,000 and $4,000 and reported to spring training in Sarasota, Florida in March. He made his big league appearance in an exhibition game against Cincinnati on the 13th. He went 0-4 and found big league pitching to be a level above his experience in the Pacific Coast League.    The Kid wasn't quite ready ... and he was optioned to the Minneapolis Millers. In 36 short days and under the guidance of baseball legend Rogers Horsnby, he made the connection to the mental aspect of the game. Putting Hornsby's principal advice to Get a Good Pitch to Hit to use ~ in Louisville on April 19th. His six times as bat produced a base hit and five walks, which tied the American League record. The following day, Ted belted a 470-foot (resting) line drive home run in the 4th inning, and then another 512-foot homer in the 6th inning. The magic with the Millers didn't stop in Louisville. He won the league triple crown title by hitting 43 home runs, driving in 142 RBIs and completing with a .366 batting average.