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"Any heroes I had when I was a kid were pretty much born out of reading Greek mythology," says actor Robert Redford. "In real life, in real time, there was only one. It was Ted Williams."

Ted Williams, also known as the Splendid Splinter or simply No. 9, was about as big as it gets in a sport that's produced a wealth of giants. The legendary Boston Red Sox hitter is the main attraction at an exhibit at the Southwest Florida Museum of History.

As the boys of summer head out of spring training to start their regular season, the Fort Myers museum serves up the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame exhibit. The show chronicles the life of the man who hit 521 home runs in 19 seasons, which were interrupted by stints as a U.S. Marine pilot in World War II and the Korean conflict.

The collection chronicles No. 9's career, as well as his military service and his love of outdoor sports. The exhibit includes bronze statues, photos and rarely seen artifacts along with stories about Williams and some of the heavy hitters who share membership with him in the Hitters Hall of Fame.

The Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame exhibit, now through May 1 at the Southwest Florida Museum of History, 2300 Peck St., Fort Myers. Admission: $9.50 for adults, $8.50 for children and seniors, $4 for children 12 and younger. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call (239) 332-5955 or visit www.cityftmyers.com/museum.