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Bob Feller

March 31, 2023

Robert William Andrew Feller (November 3, 1918 – December 15, 2010), nicknamed "the Heater from Van Meter", "Bullet Bob", and "Rapid Robert", was an American baseball pitcher who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians between 1936 and 1956. In a career spanning 570 games, Feller pitched 3,827 innings and posted a win–loss record of 266–162, with 279 complete games, 44 shutouts, and a 3.25 earned run average (ERA). His career 2,581 strikeouts were third all-time upon his retirement.

Bob Feller
Feller in 1996
Pitcher
Born: (1918-11-03)November 3, 1918
Van Meter, Iowa, U.S.
Died: December 15, 2010(2010-12-15) (aged 92)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 19, 1936, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
September 30, 1956, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
Win–loss record266–162
Earned run average3.25
Strikeouts2,581
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Member of the National
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction1962
Vote93.75% (first ballot)
Military career
40 mm gun captain during World War II
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1941–1945
RankChief Petty Officer
UnitUSS Alabama
World War II
Spouse(s)Virginia Winther
Other workBaseball player

A prodigy who bypassed baseball's minor leagues, Feller made his debut with the Indians at the age of 17. His career was interrupted by four years of military service (1942–1945) as a United States Navy Chief Petty Officer aboard USS Alabama during World War II. Feller became the first pitcher to win 24 games in a season before the age of 21. He threw no-hitters in 1940, 1946, and 1951, and 12 one-hitters, both records at his retirement. He helped the Indians win a World Series title in 1948 and an American League-record 111 wins and the pennant in 1954. Feller led the American League in wins six times and in strikeouts seven times. In 1946 he recorded 348 strikeouts, the most since 1904 and then believed to be a record.

An eight-time All-Star, Feller was ranked 36th on Sporting News's 1999 list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players and was named the publication's "greatest pitcher of his time". He was a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999. Baseball Hall of Fame member Ted Williams called Feller "the fastest and best pitcher I ever saw during my career."[1] Hall of Famer Stan Musial believed he was "probably the greatest pitcher of our era."[1] He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 on his first ballot with the then fourth highest percentage of votes. He was elected the inaugural President of the Major League Baseball Players' Association and both organized and participated in barnstorm exhibition games which featured players from both the Major and Negro leagues. Feller died at the age of 92 in 2010.

Early life

Feller played primarily as a shortstop or outfielder, emulating Rogers Hornsby's batting stance.[2]: 13  From the age of 15, he began to pitch for the Oakviews after a starting pitcher was injured; while doing so, Feller continued to play American Legion baseball. His catcher during this period was Nile Kinnick, who later won the Heisman Trophy in 1939 and became a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.[2]: 20 

A student at Van Meter High School, Feller was a starting pitcher for the school's baseball team. During this time, he continued to play on the Farmers Union team in the American Amateur Baseball Congress, and had 19 wins and four losses for Farmers Union one season.[3]: 4 [4]: 37  He also was the starting center for the high school basketball team.[2]: 29  By the age of 16, Feller possessed what critics judged a high quality fastball; major league scouts traveled to Dayton, Ohio to watch him in the annual national baseball tournament. After the game, several big league clubs offered signing bonuses with their contract offers, but he had already been signed to a professional contract with the Cleveland Indians.[2]: 25–26 

Professional career

Teenage phenomenon (1936–1941)

 
1936 Goudey Feller baseball card

In 1936, Feller was signed by Cy Slapnicka, a scout for the Indians, for one dollar and an autographed baseball.[2]: 27  While scouting Feller, Slapnicka said, "This was a kid pitcher I had to get. I knew he was something special. His fastball was fast and fuzzy; it didn't go in a straight line; it would wiggle and shoot around. I didn't know then that he was smart and had the heart of a lion, but I knew that I was looking at an arm the likes of which you see only once in a lifetime."[5]: 375  Feller was assigned to the Fargo-Moorhead Twins and was to report there after finishing the high school semester.[2]: 30 

Slapnicka was later named general manager of the Indians and transferred Feller's contract from Fargo-Moorhead to the New Orleans Pelicans. He was planning to add Feller, along with outfielder Tommy Henrich, to the major league roster after a few exhibition and semi-pro games, without either playing for a farm club. By doing so, the Indians would be in violation of Major League Baseball's rule stating that, at the time, only minor league teams could sign amateur baseball players to contracts.

After a three-month investigation, concluding in December 1936, about whether the Indians broke any Major League Baseball rules by signing Feller, Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis disagreed with the argument presented by Slapnicka and Indians president Alva Bradley, but awarded both Feller and Henrich free agency and required the club to pay a $7,500 fine, equivalent to $150,000 in 2021.[5]: 375  Landis made the decision partly due to the testimony of Feller and his father, who wanted his son to play for Cleveland and who had also told Landis he would take the issue to court.[6] Feller elected to remain with the Indians but Henrich joined the New York Yankees. Sports columnist Joe Williams wrote, "For $7500 the Cleveland Indians received $500,000 [equivalent to $9,800,000 in 2021] worth of publicity. ... I feel pretty sure Mr. Alva Bradley, president of the Indians, will admit this is the cheapest investment he ever made in publicity."[7]

Feller joined the Indians and made his Major League debut on July 19, 1936, in a relief appearance against the Washington Senators. A month later on August 23, Feller made his first career start against the St. Louis Browns. Indians manager Steve O'Neill had Denny Galehouse warmed up in the bullpen in case the 17-year-old Feller had early troubles, but he struck out all three batters he faced in the first inning, and recorded 15 strikeouts in earning his first career win. His strikeout total was the highest for a (starting) pitching debut.[6][8] Three weeks later, he struck out 17 batters,[6][9] tying a single-game strikeout record previously set by Dizzy Dean, in a win over the Philadelphia Athletics. He finished the season with a 5–3 record, having appeared in 14 games; he had 47 walks and 76 strikeouts in 62 innings.[10] Feller's fame reached such a level that when he returned to Van Meter for his senior year of high school, the governor of Iowa greeted him.[11] His record-setting rookie year made him, according to baseball writer Richard Goldstein, "the best-known young person in America, with the possible exception of Shirley Temple."[11] Feller's entrance to the big leagues was later described:

It is difficult to imagine now what a marvel Feller was when he burst upon the scene in 1936, a callow youth of 17. Many athletes are great. Bob Feller was seminal. In the long-ago time, unlike nowadays, it was unheard of for teenagers to succeed in the big top of athletics. Children politely waited their turn in the sunshine. Perhaps in all the world only Sonja Henie had previously excelled at so young an age in any sport that mattered, and, after all, she was but a little girl wearing tights and fur trim, performing dainty figure eights. Feller dressed in the uniform of the major league Cleveland Indians, striking out – fanning! – American demigods ... in the only professional team sport that mattered then in the United States.

— Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated, August 2005[6]

As the 1937 season began, Feller appeared on the cover of the April 19, 1937 issue of Time magazine.[12] In his first appearance of the season on April 24, Feller suffered an injury to his elbow while throwing a curveball. He spent April and May healing the arm, and in May graduated from high school; the ceremony aired nationally on NBC Radio.[2]: 69 [13][14] In mid-May, the Indians considered ending Feller's season early. "We're not taking any chances on that arm and we're not going to allow him to pitch again until the last trace of soreness has disappeared", said Slapnicka.[15] On May 18, Feller appeared in his first game since April 24 but did not record an out. He did not pitch again until June 22, when he recorded two innings, then returned to normal pitching duties on July 4.[16]

On October 2, 1938, Feller was the starting pitcher of a season-ending double-header against the Detroit Tigers. Detroit's Hank Greenberg was two home runs short of Babe Ruth's then-single-season record of 60 home runs. By the ninth inning, Feller had recorded 16 strikeouts, one fewer than the MLB record in a nine-inning game. He tied the record when he struck out Detroit's Pete Fox and, when he struck out Chet Laabs for the fifth time that day, broke the record, to set the modern major league record of 18. Greenberg went 1–4 with a double,[17] then 3–3 in the nightcap, all singles.[18] He later said of the game, "Feller's curve was jumping wickedly and with that and his fast ball, he was murder."[19] Feller did not earn a win, however, as the Indians lost, 4–1. "It was one of those days when everything feels perfect, your arm, your coordination, your concentration, everything. There was drama in the air because of Greenberg's attempt to break Ruth's record, and the excitement grew even greater when my strikeouts started to add up", Feller said.[20][21] For the 1938 season, Feller led all pitchers with 208 walks and 240 strikeouts.[10]

In 1939, Feller received his first career Opening Day start, against the Tigers, after a match against the Browns was rained out. He won the game 5–1, allowing three hits.[2]: 84  On Mother's Day, Feller pitched against the Chicago White Sox with his family in attendance. One pitch was fouled off by Marv Owen into the seats and into the face of Feller's mother; he went on to win the game.[22] Feller finished the 1939 season leading the AL in wins (24), complete games (24) and innings pitched (296.2), and led the majors for a second consecutive year in both walks (142) and strikeouts (246).[23][24]

 
Feller's signature, circa 1992–93

Opening Day of the 1940 season featured a no-hitter from Feller against the Chicago White Sox. Feller was assisted by Indians second baseman Ray Mack when he made a diving play to record the final out.[25] This is the only no-hitter to be thrown on Opening Day in major league history. However, he followed his no-hitter with a six-run, three-inning performance in his next start, in a game against the Detroit Tigers.[26] By the end of the season, he had a 27–11 record, with his win total the best in the majors that season, and a career-high for Feller.[10] He accomplished the pitching triple crown for the 1940 season, as he led the AL in ERA (2.61), wins (27) and strikeouts (261) (the latter two led the entire majors).[27] Feller also led the majors with 31 complete games and 320.1 innings pitched, and won the Sporting News Player of the Year Award.[10] Feller later assessed his first few years in the majors: "I relied on the catcher too much. It's swell to have a good catcher calling 'em for you, but the pitcher should take responsibility on his own shoulders."[28]

To publicize Feller's extraordinary pitching speed, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball commissioned sports film analysis pioneer and former major leaguer Lew Fonseca to pit Feller's fastball against a motorcycle in a "100 mph" speed trial. The test was conducted in Chicago's Lincoln Park, with Feller in street shoes, suit pants, dress shirt, and tie, pitching without a mound on an asphalt roadway. He was required to hit a target 12 inches (300 mm) in diameter from 60 feet 6 inches (18.44 m) away, "as control is as important as speed".[29] The still accelerating Harley-Davidson passed Feller going 86 mph (138 km/h), yet even with a generous head start the ball beat the bike to the target by several feet. Feller's throw was calculated at the time to have reached 98.6 mph (158.7 km/h), later raised to 104 mph (167 km/h) using updated measuring methods.[3]: 27 [6][20]

Feller again led the majors in wins (25), strikeouts (260), innings pitched (343), and walks (194) for the 1941 season. His six shutouts were an AL-best on the season.[10] That year, Joe DiMaggio talked about Feller's pitching ability, stating "I don't think anyone is ever going to throw a ball faster than he does. And his curveball isn't human."[11] Feller appeared in the May 12, 1941, edition of Life, which said: "... he is unquestionably the idol of several generations of Americans, ranging in age from 7 to 70. They represent every city, town and village in the land, speak of him familiarly as 'Bob', and talk about him by the hour, with enthusiasm."[30]

Military service (1941–1945)

The United States entered World War II with the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Feller heard about the bombing while returning from a visit to his terminally ill father at Des Moines to Chicago where he was to sign a new Indians contract.[6] Two days later, he volunteered for the United States Navy, becoming the first American professional athlete to enlist.[31] Originally he tried to enlist as a fighter pilot but failed hearing tests. Feller attended basic training at Norfolk Naval Base and served as a physical fitness instructor there. He also pitched in baseball games hosted by the military. Although he had received a military exemption owing to his father's failing health, he wanted to serve in combat missions.[32] Feller said, "I told them I wanted to ... get into combat; wanted to do something besides standing around handing out balls and bats and making ball fields out of coral reefs."[33] Feller was assigned to USS Alabama;[34] he had hoped to serve on USS Iowa, but it would not be commissioned for another six months after Alabama, joining the fleet February 22, 1943.[2]: 119 

Shortly before Feller left for combat, his father died of brain cancer in early January 1943. Five days later, he married Virginia Winther, whom he had met while in Florida for spring training; she was a student at Rollins College.[8] After the marriage, Feller returned to service as Gun Captain aboard Alabama and kept his pitching arm in shape by throwing near a gun turret.[35] Feller and the Alabama crew spent most of 1943 in the British Isles along with USS South Dakota, but in August were reassigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations.[2]: 119  Feller's first taste of direct combat was at Operation Galvanic in November 1943. Alabama also served during Operation Flintlock while primarily being used as an escort battleship in 1944. Feller participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea before his combat duty ended in January 1945; he spent the rest of the war at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station as an instructor.[2]: 124–127 

When the war ended, Feller was discharged as a Chief Petty Officer on August 22, 1945.[8] He was decorated with six campaign ribbons and eight battle stars while serving on missions in both the Pacific and North Atlantic, and was made an honorary member of the Green Berets later in life.[3]: xiii [8]

Baseball during Naval service (1942, 1945)

Feller pitched for the Norfolk Naval Station's Bluejackets baseball team, which went 92–8 in 1942,[36][37] and later for the Naval Station Great Lakes team.[38]

In 1945, from early spring to late summer, Feller's naval duties were again at Great Lakes Naval station, where he replaced Mickey Cochrane as manager of the baseball program, as well as performed as an active pitcher for the team.[39][40]

Return to Cleveland (1945–1948)

Upon arrival in Cleveland after his discharge, Feller was honored with a civic luncheon on August 24, 1945, at the Carter Hotel. Feller said to the thousand-plus crowd: "The real heroes didn't come home."[8][35] Later that day, the city held a parade and Feller was the starting pitcher in the Indians' game against the Detroit Tigers. Feller allowed four hits in the game and earned a win in the Indians' 4–2 victory. "I was so tired from all the receptions I didn't know if I could finish the game", Feller said.[8] For the 1945 season, he appeared in nine games and notched a 5–3 record with 59 strikeouts and 2.50 ERA.[10]

Before the 1946 season, Feller signed a $37,500 (equivalent to $521,000 in 2021) contract for that year, including a bonus for attendance, as the Indians felt many were attending baseball games primarily to see him; he was offered $100,000 by Jorge Pasquel to play in the Mexican League, but declined to leave the States again.[2]: 136  Feller recorded his second career no-hitter on April 30, 1946, against the New York Yankees. He allowed five walks and struck out 11 Yankees.[41] Feller said of the game, "The no-hitter on opening day in Chicago is the one that gets all the attention. But my no-hitter at Yankee Stadium was against a much better team than the White Sox. There was no comparison. I had to pitch to Tommy Henrich, Charlie Keller and Joe DiMaggio in the ninth inning to get the Yankees out."[42] At one point during the season (as he thought he might be nearing Rube Waddell's AL record for strikeouts of 344), Feller claims he confirmed Waddell's total with the AL office.[43] In his last appearance of the season he fanned five Detroit Tigers on September 29 to set what was then believed to be the then-AL single-season strikeout record of 348.[44] Later research into box scores for Waddell's 1904 pitching appearances credited him with five additional strikeouts, moving the mark to 349 and bumping Feller from the top spot.[45][46] Feller's tally proved the highest for 62 years, until passed by Sandy Koufax's then record 382 in 1966.

During the 1946 season Feller registered career-highs in strikeouts (348), games started (42), games pitched (48), shutouts (10), complete games (36), and innings pitched (377.1)–– all major league bests that season.[43][44][47] Feller finished 26–15 with an ERA of 2.18, the latter a career-low.[10][48] Nearly 20 years later, Feller recalled, "For the 1946 season, though, the Indians were so thin in pitching that [player-manager] Boudreau decided I was to pitch every fourth day, regardless of rainouts, open dates, or anything else."[43]

Feller began 1947 by setting up a barnstorming tour, pitting his own selected team against a Negro league baseball team led by Satchel Paige. Feller's team included Stan Musial and Phil Rizzuto, while Paige's included Buck O'Neil and Hilton Smith. They played in 22 games across the United States, and at the conclusion of the tour, each player had made nearly as much money as the St. Louis Cardinals made as a team for their 1946 World Series win.[2]: 150–154  Against the St. Louis Browns, in Feller's second start of the season, he extended his major league record for one-hitters when he recorded his ninth one-hit game in a shutout win on April 22.[49][50] In a June 13 game against the Philadelphia Athletics, having already amassed 10 strikeouts through four innings, Feller fell from the mound, which rain had made slippery, and injured his back. "My fastball was never the same after that", Feller said.[8][49] He ended the season as the AL leader in wins (20) and shutouts (5), and led the majors in strikeouts (196) and innings pitched (299).[10]

World Series champion (1948)

In 1948, the Indians had one of their finest seasons, though Feller experienced a season that had a considerable number of downs as well as ups. Feller was selected to represent the AL All-Stars for the seventh time in his career in the 1948 All-Star Game, but declined to play, feeling that his performance did not warrant selection as an All-Star. At one point he was winless for a month,[8] and by July 22, his record was 9–12. Lou Boudreau, the Indians' player-manager, declared "we sink or swim with Feller", and continued to pick him.[8] Feller proceeded to go 10–3 for the remainder of his appearances to finish the season with a record of 19–15, a league-leading 164 strikeouts, and a 3.56 ERA.[10] The Indians won a one-game playoff against the Boston Red Sox to determine the team to represent the AL in the World Series; it was the first time the team had won the pennant since the 1920 season.[2]: 201 

Feller started Game One of the 1948 World Series against the NL-champion Boston Braves. In the eighth inning, Feller and Boudreau appeared to have picked off the Braves' Phil Masi as he attempted to steal a base, but umpire Bill Stewart ruled he was safe.[8] Masi scored the only run of the game on a Braves single. Despite surrendering just two hits on 85 pitches for the game, Feller and the Indians lost 1–0.[51] Later, photographs showed that Boudreau had tagged Masi out by two feet. Feller said, "Stewart was the only guy in the park who thought he was safe."[8] Feller was again named the starter in Game Five, which set an attendance record; the 86,288 fans at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland was the then-largest attendance at a baseball game.[5]: 432  The Braves put up three runs in the top of the first inning. The Indians came back to tie the game, but by the seventh inning, the Braves regained the lead for good and Feller was removed from the game. He finished having allowed eight hits and seven earned runs.[2]: 204  Lemon won Game Six and gave the Indians their second World Series championship. After the Indians returned to Cleveland and were given a victory parade, Feller said, "This is as good as being President."[52]

Later years (1949–1956)

 
Feller interviewed by the University of Texas campus newspaper, The Shorthorn, in 1950
 
Feller c. 1953

After taking a pay cut to start the 1949 season, Feller pitched on Opening Day against the St. Louis Browns. During the game, he injured his shoulder and missed the rest of April. His performances were mixed during the rest of the season, and he finished the year with a 15–14 record and a 3.75 ERA.[2]: 206–211  Before the 1950 season, Feller suggested to Indians management he take a pay cut, and did so. Indians general manager Hank Greenberg said, "He himself made the suggestion. In fact, he offered to take more than the 25 per cent maximum pay cut allowed. There was absolutely nothing to it. We all agreed quickly on the figure after Bob showed up yesterday."[53] In a win over the Detroit Tigers in the second game of a doubleheader, Feller became the 53rd pitcher to win 200 games.[5]: 64  Throughout the year, players noted that his velocity had returned, and, winning games with finesse rather than power, he was again effective. He finished the year with 16 wins and a 3.43 ERA.[2]: 215 

On July 1, 1951, Feller recorded his third career no-hitter against the Detroit Tigers.[42] "I was depending on my slider and I didn't begin to think of a no-hitter until about the seventh inning. I tried to keep it in the back of my mind, bearing down and concentrating on one hitter at a time", Feller said.[54] Feller was the third pitcher, after Larry Corcoran and Cy Young, to record three career no-hitters.[54] He became the first pitcher of the 1951 season to reach 20 wins after he pitched a shutout against the Washington Senators on August 21.[55] Along with Early Wynn and Mike Garcia, Feller reached the 20-win mark during the season; they were the first trio of pitchers on the same staff to earn 20 wins since 1931.[5]: 65  The Cleveland starting rotation was so strong that future Hall of Famer Bob Lemon's 17 wins was the only time in an eight-year stretch he didn't win 20.[56]

Feller went 22–8 in 1951, leading the AL both in wins and with a .733 win percentage. He was named the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year.[57]

Feller started the 1952 season with three wins in his first five starts; one of the losses was an April 23 one-hitter against Bob Cain, who also allowed only one hit. Feller struggled for the rest of the season, and after an argument with an umpire over a strike call in late August, manager Al López shut Feller down for the season,[2]: 227–230  finishing 9–13 and a 4.74 ERA.[10] He improved the following year, winning 10 games and losing 7 in 25 starts after Lopez gave him extra days of rest between appearances.[2]: 234  The Indians won 111 regular-season games during 1954, breaking an AL record previously held by the 1927 New York Yankees.[5]: 67  The 35-year-old Feller finished 13–3 on the year, earning his 250th pitching victory in a May 23 win and his 2,500th career strikeout in a win on June 12.[5]: 68 

The Indians played against the New York Giants in the 1954 World Series, getting swept in four games. Unlike the 1948 Series, Feller did not make an appearance. Indians manager Al López said of not starting Feller, "I know Feller wanted to start one of the games in the 1954 World Series (when the Indians were swept by the New York Giants), though we never really talked about it ... If we had won the first or second game in New York, I was going to start Feller in Cleveland in the fourth game. But when we didn't (win either game in New York), why in the hell was I going to pitch Feller? He was the fifth starter on the club at that time, and wasn't the Feller he'd been (earlier in his career)."[58] In 1955, Feller spent part of the season as a starter, then was moved to the bullpen later in the season. He went 4–4 in 25 appearances.[10] During the off-season, he became chairman of the Ohio March of Dimes and served as player representative for the American League. He worked with National League representative Robin Roberts throughout the off-season, discussing the possibility of player arbitration and pensions with baseball owners; he then became president of the Major League Baseball Players' Association.[2]: 244 

In the 1956 season, Feller started four games and appeared in 15 others, and finished with an 0–4 record and career-worst 4.97 ERA.[10] The Indians held "Bob Feller Night" on September 9, and he appeared in his last major league game on September 30.[5]: 71  After the season, speculation mounted regarding whether Feller would retire as a player.[59] In December 1956, Feller told The Plain Dealer: "I will return to Cleveland later this week and plan to confer with Hank Greenberg before Christmas. I hope to reach a decision at that time."[60] Greenberg had also offered Feller his release or a job with the Indians in their front office. Greenberg said, "We sincerely want Feller to remain with us. As far as I'm concerned, there will always be a job waiting for Bob in the Cleveland organization."[60] On December 28, Feller officially retired from the Indians as a player to continue his work selling insurance.[61] Announcing his retirement, Feller said, "I could have gone with a couple other ball clubs, but anything I might have done with them would have taken the edge off the success I have had with the Cleveland club the last 20 years." He continued, "What if I did pitch another year, so what? I would have to come to the decision I am making now, some time."[62]

 
Bob Feller's number 19 was retired by the Cleveland Indians in 1956.

He spent his entire career of 18 seasons with the Indians, being one of "The Big Four" in the Indians' pitching rotation in the 1950s, along with Bob Lemon, Early Wynn and Mike Garcia. Feller shares the Major League record of 12 one-hitters with Nolan Ryan, and was the first pitcher to win 20 or more games before the age of 21.[42] He ended his career with 266 wins, 2,581 strikeouts and 279 complete games. Over the course of his career, he led the AL in strikeouts seven times and walks four times.[10] Upon his retirement, Feller was number three all-time in strikeouts, behind only Walter Johnson and Cy Young,[63] and held the major league record for most walks in a career (1,764), and holds the 20th-century record for most walks in a season (208 in 1938).[64] The Indians retired his jersey number, 19, on December 27, 1956.[65]

As a hitter, Feller posted a .151 batting average (193-for-1282) with 99 runs, 28 doubles, 13 triples, 8 home runs, 99 RBI and 100 bases on balls. Defensively, he recorded a .963 fielding percentage.[10]

In 1962, Feller was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, along with Jackie Robinson. Both were the first to be elected on their first ballot appearance since the original induction class of 1936.[47] At the time of his induction, only Ty Cobb (98.2%), Babe Ruth (95.1%), and Honus Wagner (95.1%) had a higher percentage of ballot votes. In 2010, after Feller had been admitted to hospice, a reporter released a story recalling a 2007 interview with an aged Feller where he brought up Feller's candid assessment of Robinson as a ballplayer. "They overhyped Jackie Robinson. He was a good baserunner. He was a fair hitter. He was an average second baseman. He was not as good a ballplayer as Larry Doby. There were a lot of better black ballplayers than Jackie Robinson," said Feller.[66]

Dispute with Commissioner Chandler

Throughout his career, Feller played exhibition games during the off-season, playing in towns unaccustomed to seeing major league ballplayers. His exhibition tours often featured other big leaguers and Negro league players, like Satchel Paige, who was also a teammate of Feller's with the Indians.[67] Other players included Stan Musial, Mickey Vernon, and Jeff Heath.[68] During a barnstorming tour in 1945, Feller pitched against Jackie Robinson after he had been signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers. He told a reporter in Los Angeles that he believed Robinson was too muscle-bound to succeed against pitching in the major leagues, although Robinson recorded two hits off Feller.[11][69][70] Players had to notify the Commissioner of Baseball, A.B. "Happy" Chandler, before participating in exhibition games and were not allowed to begin games before the conclusion of the major-league season. Feller wrote to Chandler, challenging the league's limit on the number of games that were allowed to be played and proposing an increase; the Commissioner agreed to Feller's proposal.[71] To minimize travel time, Feller employed airplanes, such as two Douglas DC-3s in 1947, to transport players from town to town. Feller's involvement, as well as that of other major league players, was the subject of meetings between the Commissioner and AL and NL presidents.[72]

In 1947, Feller announced that he would pitch in the Cuban winter league during the off-season, but Commissioner Chandler ruled no major-leaguer could play in Cuba.[73] Feller said he would donate his profits from playing in the Cuban winter league to the American Major League players' pension fund: "I want to prove I'm not going to Cuba for any selfish interest but because there is a principle involved and that is the right of any ball player to work at his chosen profession".[74] Feller also believed it was "grossly unfair" that major leaguers who were U.S. citizens could not play in winter leagues but Latin Americans were permitted.[75] Indians owner and president Bill Veeck said, "I have no comment on Bob's outside activities. I don't know whether they've hurt him or not. But I do know this. The great majority of the people of Cleveland think they've hurt him."[73]

Feller's barnstorming business savvy and endorsement details made him one of the wealthiest players of his time but he claimed his off-season exhibitions and barnstorming were necessary to pay for increased medical expenses for his family. His first wife developed anemia after giving birth to their second child when she was given the wrong type of blood during transfusions; she subsequently became addicted to the prescribed medication for her condition.[6] Feller was trying to make up lost earnings as a result, since he missed out on $125,000 or more in salary[76] when he served in the Navy; he missed more than three major league seasons.[71] Feller's biographer John Sickels suggested: "They were trying to make money, but part of it was also, he felt that the black players weren't necessarily getting a fair chance and that he wanted to sort of showcase it. And seeing those, I think, those exhibition games helped people realize that the Negro league players were just as good as the Major League players."[77]

Records

 
91-year-old Feller in March 2009

Feller, who averaged over 25 wins for the three seasons preceding his military service and won 26 his first year out, estimated that the nearly four years he missed while in the U.S. Navy cost him at least 100 career wins. Given his proven performance on both sides of his hitch it is likely that Feller would have finished his career with more than 350 wins and perhaps 3,800 strikeouts.[78][79] The always plain-speaking Feller said, "I know in my heart I would have ended up a lot closer to 400 than 300 if I hadn't spent four seasons in the Navy. But don't take that as a complaint. I'm happy I got home in one piece."[11]

There are numerous claims of how fast Feller could actually throw a ball. All are inherently dubious (due to the extremely inaccurate means of measuring used), and none can be proven valid. Best estimates are at least 98 mph and quite possibly several miles an hour over 100 mph. Among them is footage of a Feller fastball being clocked by Army ordnance equipment (used to measure artillery shell velocity) and registering at 98.6 mph (158.7 km/h).[80] However, this took place in the later years of his career and the speed of the ball was measured as it crossed the plate (whereas later methods measure the speed as it leaves the pitcher's hand[citation needed]). With primitive equipment, Feller was at one point measured at 105 mph (169 km/h).[8] Feller once mentioned that he was clocked at 104 mph (167 km/h) at Lincoln Park in Chicago.[81] He also is credited with throwing the second fastest pitch ever officially recorded, at 107.6 mph (173.2 km/h), in a game in 1946 at Griffith Stadium.[1][3]: 27  Feller said a 1974 test involving Nolan Ryan would be evaluated when he threw the ball rather than when it reached home plate, and as columnist Milton Richman wrote, Feller said "Sandy Koufax had the best live fast ball he ever saw."[82]

Although subjective, an extremely telling assessment of just how hard Feller was to hit – even for a left-handed hitter, who had an advantage compared to right-handers – was the tribute from Ted Williams, regarded by many as the greatest hitter in baseball history.[83] He confessed, "Three days before he pitched I would start thinking about Robert Feller, Bob Feller. I'd sit in my room thinking about him all the time. God I loved it ... Allie Reynolds of the Yankees was tough, and I might think about him for 24 hours before a game, but Robert Feller: I'd think about him for three days."[6] Feller was ranked 36th on Sporting News's list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players and also the publication's "greatest pitcher of his time" as well as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999.[84] Each year, American Legion Baseball presents the "Bob Feller Pitching Award" to the pitcher "with the most strikeouts in regional and national competition."[85]

Later life

Feller was elected the inaugural president of the Major League Baseball Players' Association in 1956.[86] As president, he appeared before Congress to speak about baseball's reserve clause.[87][88] Feller was the first player to get a franchise to agree to a share of game receipts when he was the starting pitcher for Indians' games. He was also the earliest player to incorporate himself (as Ro-Fel, Inc.).[77][89] He was also one of the first players to work for the right of a player to enter free agency.[77]

Feller and his wife, Virginia Winther, had three sons, Steve, Martin, and Bruce. The couple divorced in 1971; from the divorce settlement, Virginia received the house she and Feller had built. Virginia died on May 6, 1981, in her home in Shaker Heights, Ohio.[90] In retirement, Feller lived with his second wife, Anne Feller, in Gates Mills, a suburb of Cleveland.[2]: 263 

Feller is credited with being the first baseball star to sign autographs at baseball memorabilia conventions,[91] and was such a frequent guest at such events that one ESPN writer speculated that he had signed more autographs than any other person.[92]

In 1990, Feller received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.[93] In June 2009, at the age of 90, Feller was one of the starting pitchers at the inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame Classic, which replaced the Hall of Fame Game at Cooperstown, New York.[94] Feller was treated for leukemia in August 2010.[95] By October, Feller was fitted with a pacemaker and was diagnosed with pneumonia and thrush, an infection of the mucous membrane lining the mouth and throat. He was transferred on December 8 from the Cleveland Clinic to hospice care.[96] On December 15, Feller died of complications from leukemia at 92.[11]

Legacy

 
Former Bob Feller Museum in his birthplace, Van Meter, Iowa, today the city hall

Of Feller's death, Mike Hegan, Indians broadcaster and son of former Feller teammate and battery mate Jim Hegan, stated, "The Indians of the 40s and 50s were the face of the city of Cleveland and Bob was the face of the Indians. But, Bob transcended more than that era. In this day of free agency and switching teams, Bob Feller remained loyal to the city and the team for over 70 years. You will likely not see that kind of mutual loyalty and admiration ever again."[97] In 2010, the "Cleveland Indians Man of the Year Award" was renamed the "Bob Feller Man of the Year Award".[97]

On Opening Day of the 2011 season, the Indians invited Feller's widow, Anne, to present a silent first pitch. During pregame introductions, Cleveland players wore a No. 19 jersey in honor of Feller. For the entire 2011 season the players' uniforms were outfitted with an outline of Feller's pitching motion. The organization also made a permanent memorial of the press-box seat that Feller used in later life.[98]

The Bob Feller Museum opened in Feller's birthplace, Van Meter, Iowa, on June 10, 1995. Designed by Feller's son Stephen, on land donated by Brenton Banks,[99] the museum had two rooms that contained Feller memorabilia and items from his own collection. The Feller bat used by Babe Ruth when he made his last public appearance at Yankee Stadium is at the museum. Feller said a teammate had stolen the bat and eventually it was purchased by the Upper Deck sports card company for $107,000. Feller later offered the company $95,000 in return for the bat.[100] Following Feller's death in 2010, the museum faced serious funding issues. In 2015, with family approval, the Bob Feller Museum was donated to the city of Van Meter for use as the city hall. Some artifacts remain on permanent exhibit and can be viewed free of charge.[101][102]

In 2013, the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award was created to honor the life of Feller. The award recognizes "individuals that possess the values, integrity, and dedication to serving our country that Bob Feller himself displayed."[103]

See also

References

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Further reading

  • Feller, Bob (2007). Hello, Slider!. Mascot Books. ISBN 978-1-932888-88-1.
  • Feller, Bob; Bill Gilbert (2002). Now Pitching, Bob Feller: A Baseball Memoir. Citadel Press. p. 232. ISBN 978-0-8065-2362-0.
  • Feller, Bob; Burton Rocks (2001). Bob Feller's Little Black Book of Baseball Wisdom. McGraw-Hill Professional. p. 160. ISBN 978-0-8092-9843-3.
  • Honig, Donald (1975) Baseball When the Grass Was Real: Baseball from the Twenties to the Forties Told by the Men Who Played It. New York: Coward, McGann & Geoghegan. pp. 258–281. SBN 698-10660-1.
  • Kalb, Elliott (2005). Who's Better, Who's Best in Baseball?. McGraw-Hill Professional. p. 416. ISBN 978-0-07-144538-2.
  • Sickels, John (2004). Bob Feller: Ace of the Greatest Generation. Potomac Books, Inc. p. 336. ISBN 978-1-57488-441-8.
  • "For Feller, Navy was easy decision", interviewed by Mary Buckheit on ESPN Page 2

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bob Feller.
  • Bob Feller at the Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
  • Bob Feller at SABR (Baseball BioProject)
  • The Bob Feller Museum
  • Bob Feller at Find a Grave  
  • Bob Feller Oral History Interview (1 of 2) – National Baseball Hall of Fame Digital Collection
  • Bob Feller Oral History Interview (2 of 2) – National Baseball Hall of Fame Digital Collection
  • The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award
Preceded by American League Pitching Triple Crown
1940 		Succeeded by
Preceded by No-hitter pitcher
April 16, 1940
April 30, 1946
July 1, 1951 		Succeeded by

March 31, 2023
feller, robert, william, andrew, feller, november, 1918, december, 2010, nicknamed, heater, from, meter, bullet, rapid, robert, american, baseball, pitcher, played, seasons, major, league, baseball, cleveland, indians, between, 1936, 1956, career, spanning, ga. Robert William Andrew Feller November 3 1918 December 15 2010 nicknamed the Heater from Van Meter Bullet Bob and Rapid Robert was an American baseball pitcher who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball MLB for the Cleveland Indians between 1936 and 1956 In a career spanning 570 games Feller pitched 3 827 innings and posted a win loss record of 266 162 with 279 complete games 44 shutouts and a 3 25 earned run average ERA His career 2 581 strikeouts were third all time upon his retirement Bob FellerFeller in 1996PitcherBorn 1918 11 03 November 3 1918Van Meter Iowa U S Died December 15 2010 2010 12 15 aged 92 Cleveland Ohio U S Batted RightThrew RightMLB debutJuly 19 1936 for the Cleveland IndiansLast MLB appearanceSeptember 30 1956 for the Cleveland IndiansMLB statisticsWin loss record266 162Earned run average3 25Strikeouts2 581TeamsCleveland Indians 1936 1941 1945 1956 Career highlights and awards8 All Star 1938 1941 1946 1948 1950 World Series champion 1948 Triple Crown 1940 6 AL wins leader 1939 1941 1946 1947 1951 AL ERA leader 1940 7 MLB strikeout leader 1938 1941 1946 1948 Pitched three no hitters 1940 1946 1951 Cleveland Guardians No 19 retired Cleveland Guardians Hall of FameMember of the NationalBaseball Hall of FameInduction1962Vote93 75 first ballot Military career40 mm gun captain during World War IIAllegianceUnited StatesService wbr branchUnited States NavyYears of service1941 1945RankChief Petty OfficerUnitUSS AlabamaWorld War IIAtlantic War Pacific WarSpouse s Virginia WintherOther workBaseball playerA prodigy who bypassed baseball s minor leagues Feller made his debut with the Indians at the age of 17 His career was interrupted by four years of military service 1942 1945 as a United States Navy Chief Petty Officer aboard USS Alabama during World War II Feller became the first pitcher to win 24 games in a season before the age of 21 He threw no hitters in 1940 1946 and 1951 and 12 one hitters both records at his retirement He helped the Indians win a World Series title in 1948 and an American League record 111 wins and the pennant in 1954 Feller led the American League in wins six times and in strikeouts seven times In 1946 he recorded 348 strikeouts the most since 1904 and then believed to be a record An eight time All Star Feller was ranked 36th on Sporting News s 1999 list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players and was named the publication s greatest pitcher of his time He was a finalist for the Major League Baseball All Century Team in 1999 Baseball Hall of Fame member Ted Williams called Feller the fastest and best pitcher I ever saw during my career 1 Hall of Famer Stan Musial believed he was probably the greatest pitcher of our era 1 He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 on his first ballot with the then fourth highest percentage of votes He was elected the inaugural President of the Major League Baseball Players Association and both organized and participated in barnstorm exhibition games which featured players from both the Major and Negro leagues Feller died at the age of 92 in 2010 Contents 1 Early life 2 Professional career 2 1 Teenage phenomenon 1936 1941 2 2 Military service 1941 1945 2 2 1 Baseball during Naval service 1942 1945 2 3 Return to Cleveland 1945 1948 2 4 World Series champion 1948 2 5 Later years 1949 1956 3 Dispute with Commissioner Chandler 4 Records 5 Later life 6 Legacy 7 See also 8 References 9 Further reading 10 External linksEarly life EditFeller played primarily as a shortstop or outfielder emulating Rogers Hornsby s batting stance 2 13 From the age of 15 he began to pitch for the Oakviews after a starting pitcher was injured while doing so Feller continued to play American Legion baseball His catcher during this period was Nile Kinnick who later won the Heisman Trophy in 1939 and became a member of the College Football Hall of Fame 2 20 A student at Van Meter High School Feller was a starting pitcher for the school s baseball team During this time he continued to play on the Farmers Union team in the American Amateur Baseball Congress and had 19 wins and four losses for Farmers Union one season 3 4 4 37 He also was the starting center for the high school basketball team 2 29 By the age of 16 Feller possessed what critics judged a high quality fastball major league scouts traveled to Dayton Ohio to watch him in the annual national baseball tournament After the game several big league clubs offered signing bonuses with their contract offers but he had already been signed to a professional contract with the Cleveland Indians 2 25 26 Professional career EditTeenage phenomenon 1936 1941 Edit 1936 Goudey Feller baseball card In 1936 Feller was signed by Cy Slapnicka a scout for the Indians for one dollar and an autographed baseball 2 27 While scouting Feller Slapnicka said This was a kid pitcher I had to get I knew he was something special His fastball was fast and fuzzy it didn t go in a straight line it would wiggle and shoot around I didn t know then that he was smart and had the heart of a lion but I knew that I was looking at an arm the likes of which you see only once in a lifetime 5 375 Feller was assigned to the Fargo Moorhead Twins and was to report there after finishing the high school semester 2 30 Slapnicka was later named general manager of the Indians and transferred Feller s contract from Fargo Moorhead to the New Orleans Pelicans He was planning to add Feller along with outfielder Tommy Henrich to the major league roster after a few exhibition and semi pro games without either playing for a farm club By doing so the Indians would be in violation of Major League Baseball s rule stating that at the time only minor league teams could sign amateur baseball players to contracts After a three month investigation concluding in December 1936 about whether the Indians broke any Major League Baseball rules by signing Feller Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis disagreed with the argument presented by Slapnicka and Indians president Alva Bradley but awarded both Feller and Henrich free agency and required the club to pay a 7 500 fine equivalent to 150 000 in 2021 5 375 Landis made the decision partly due to the testimony of Feller and his father who wanted his son to play for Cleveland and who had also told Landis he would take the issue to court 6 Feller elected to remain with the Indians but Henrich joined the New York Yankees Sports columnist Joe Williams wrote For 7500 the Cleveland Indians received 500 000 equivalent to 9 800 000 in 2021 worth of publicity I feel pretty sure Mr Alva Bradley president of the Indians will admit this is the cheapest investment he ever made in publicity 7 Feller joined the Indians and made his Major League debut on July 19 1936 in a relief appearance against the Washington Senators A month later on August 23 Feller made his first career start against the St Louis Browns Indians manager Steve O Neill had Denny Galehouse warmed up in the bullpen in case the 17 year old Feller had early troubles but he struck out all three batters he faced in the first inning and recorded 15 strikeouts in earning his first career win His strikeout total was the highest for a starting pitching debut 6 8 Three weeks later he struck out 17 batters 6 9 tying a single game strikeout record previously set by Dizzy Dean in a win over the Philadelphia Athletics He finished the season with a 5 3 record having appeared in 14 games he had 47 walks and 76 strikeouts in 62 innings 10 Feller s fame reached such a level that when he returned to Van Meter for his senior year of high school the governor of Iowa greeted him 11 His record setting rookie year made him according to baseball writer Richard Goldstein the best known young person in America with the possible exception of Shirley Temple 11 Feller s entrance to the big leagues was later described It is difficult to imagine now what a marvel Feller was when he burst upon the scene in 1936 a callow youth of 17 Many athletes are great Bob Feller was seminal In the long ago time unlike nowadays it was unheard of for teenagers to succeed in the big top of athletics Children politely waited their turn in the sunshine Perhaps in all the world only Sonja Henie had previously excelled at so young an age in any sport that mattered and after all she was but a little girl wearing tights and fur trim performing dainty figure eights Feller dressed in the uniform of the major league Cleveland Indians striking out fanning American demigods in the only professional team sport that mattered then in the United States Frank Deford Sports Illustrated August 2005 6 As the 1937 season began Feller appeared on the cover of the April 19 1937 issue of Time magazine 12 In his first appearance of the season on April 24 Feller suffered an injury to his elbow while throwing a curveball He spent April and May healing the arm and in May graduated from high school the ceremony aired nationally on NBC Radio 2 69 13 14 In mid May the Indians considered ending Feller s season early We re not taking any chances on that arm and we re not going to allow him to pitch again until the last trace of soreness has disappeared said Slapnicka 15 On May 18 Feller appeared in his first game since April 24 but did not record an out He did not pitch again until June 22 when he recorded two innings then returned to normal pitching duties on July 4 16 On October 2 1938 Feller was the starting pitcher of a season ending double header against the Detroit Tigers Detroit s Hank Greenberg was two home runs short of Babe Ruth s then single season record of 60 home runs By the ninth inning Feller had recorded 16 strikeouts one fewer than the MLB record in a nine inning game He tied the record when he struck out Detroit s Pete Fox and when he struck out Chet Laabs for the fifth time that day broke the record to set the modern major league record of 18 Greenberg went 1 4 with a double 17 then 3 3 in the nightcap all singles 18 He later said of the game Feller s curve was jumping wickedly and with that and his fast ball he was murder 19 Feller did not earn a win however as the Indians lost 4 1 It was one of those days when everything feels perfect your arm your coordination your concentration everything There was drama in the air because of Greenberg s attempt to break Ruth s record and the excitement grew even greater when my strikeouts started to add up Feller said 20 21 For the 1938 season Feller led all pitchers with 208 walks and 240 strikeouts 10 In 1939 Feller received his first career Opening Day start against the Tigers after a match against the Browns was rained out He won the game 5 1 allowing three hits 2 84 On Mother s Day Feller pitched against the Chicago White Sox with his family in attendance One pitch was fouled off by Marv Owen into the seats and into the face of Feller s mother he went on to win the game 22 Feller finished the 1939 season leading the AL in wins 24 complete games 24 and innings pitched 296 2 and led the majors for a second consecutive year in both walks 142 and strikeouts 246 23 24 Feller s signature circa 1992 93 Opening Day of the 1940 season featured a no hitter from Feller against the Chicago White Sox Feller was assisted by Indians second baseman Ray Mack when he made a diving play to record the final out 25 This is the only no hitter to be thrown on Opening Day in major league history However he followed his no hitter with a six run three inning performance in his next start in a game against the Detroit Tigers 26 By the end of the season he had a 27 11 record with his win total the best in the majors that season and a career high for Feller 10 He accomplished the pitching triple crown for the 1940 season as he led the AL in ERA 2 61 wins 27 and strikeouts 261 the latter two led the entire majors 27 Feller also led the majors with 31 complete games and 320 1 innings pitched and won the Sporting News Player of the Year Award 10 Feller later assessed his first few years in the majors I relied on the catcher too much It s swell to have a good catcher calling em for you but the pitcher should take responsibility on his own shoulders 28 To publicize Feller s extraordinary pitching speed the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball commissioned sports film analysis pioneer and former major leaguer Lew Fonseca to pit Feller s fastball against a motorcycle in a 100 mph speed trial The test was conducted in Chicago s Lincoln Park with Feller in street shoes suit pants dress shirt and tie pitching without a mound on an asphalt roadway He was required to hit a target 12 inches 300 mm in diameter from 60 feet 6 inches 18 44 m away as control is as important as speed 29 The still accelerating Harley Davidson passed Feller going 86 mph 138 km h yet even with a generous head start the ball beat the bike to the target by several feet Feller s throw was calculated at the time to have reached 98 6 mph 158 7 km h later raised to 104 mph 167 km h using updated measuring methods 3 27 6 20 Feller again led the majors in wins 25 strikeouts 260 innings pitched 343 and walks 194 for the 1941 season His six shutouts were an AL best on the season 10 That year Joe DiMaggio talked about Feller s pitching ability stating I don t think anyone is ever going to throw a ball faster than he does And his curveball isn t human 11 Feller appeared in the May 12 1941 edition of Life which said he is unquestionably the idol of several generations of Americans ranging in age from 7 to 70 They represent every city town and village in the land speak of him familiarly as Bob and talk about him by the hour with enthusiasm 30 Military service 1941 1945 Edit The United States entered World War II with the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7 1941 Feller heard about the bombing while returning from a visit to his terminally ill father at Des Moines to Chicago where he was to sign a new Indians contract 6 Two days later he volunteered for the United States Navy becoming the first American professional athlete to enlist 31 Originally he tried to enlist as a fighter pilot but failed hearing tests Feller attended basic training at Norfolk Naval Base and served as a physical fitness instructor there He also pitched in baseball games hosted by the military Although he had received a military exemption owing to his father s failing health he wanted to serve in combat missions 32 Feller said I told them I wanted to get into combat wanted to do something besides standing around handing out balls and bats and making ball fields out of coral reefs 33 Feller was assigned to USS Alabama 34 he had hoped to serve on USS Iowa but it would not be commissioned for another six months after Alabama joining the fleet February 22 1943 2 119 Shortly before Feller left for combat his father died of brain cancer in early January 1943 Five days later he married Virginia Winther whom he had met while in Florida for spring training she was a student at Rollins College 8 After the marriage Feller returned to service as Gun Captain aboard Alabama and kept his pitching arm in shape by throwing near a gun turret 35 Feller and the Alabama crew spent most of 1943 in the British Isles along with USS South Dakota but in August were reassigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations 2 119 Feller s first taste of direct combat was at Operation Galvanic in November 1943 Alabama also served during Operation Flintlock while primarily being used as an escort battleship in 1944 Feller participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea before his combat duty ended in January 1945 he spent the rest of the war at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station as an instructor 2 124 127 When the war ended Feller was discharged as a Chief Petty Officer on August 22 1945 8 He was decorated with six campaign ribbons and eight battle stars while serving on missions in both the Pacific and North Atlantic and was made an honorary member of the Green Berets later in life 3 xiii 8 Baseball during Naval service 1942 1945 Edit Feller pitched for the Norfolk Naval Station s Bluejackets baseball team which went 92 8 in 1942 36 37 and later for the Naval Station Great Lakes team 38 In 1945 from early spring to late summer Feller s naval duties were again at Great Lakes Naval station where he replaced Mickey Cochrane as manager of the baseball program as well as performed as an active pitcher for the team 39 40 Return to Cleveland 1945 1948 Edit Upon arrival in Cleveland after his discharge Feller was honored with a civic luncheon on August 24 1945 at the Carter Hotel Feller said to the thousand plus crowd The real heroes didn t come home 8 35 Later that day the city held a parade and Feller was the starting pitcher in the Indians game against the Detroit Tigers Feller allowed four hits in the game and earned a win in the Indians 4 2 victory I was so tired from all the receptions I didn t know if I could finish the game Feller said 8 For the 1945 season he appeared in nine games and notched a 5 3 record with 59 strikeouts and 2 50 ERA 10 Before the 1946 season Feller signed a 37 500 equivalent to 521 000 in 2021 contract for that year including a bonus for attendance as the Indians felt many were attending baseball games primarily to see him he was offered 100 000 by Jorge Pasquel to play in the Mexican League but declined to leave the States again 2 136 Feller recorded his second career no hitter on April 30 1946 against the New York Yankees He allowed five walks and struck out 11 Yankees 41 Feller said of the game The no hitter on opening day in Chicago is the one that gets all the attention But my no hitter at Yankee Stadium was against a much better team than the White Sox There was no comparison I had to pitch to Tommy Henrich Charlie Keller and Joe DiMaggio in the ninth inning to get the Yankees out 42 At one point during the season as he thought he might be nearing Rube Waddell s AL record for strikeouts of 344 Feller claims he confirmed Waddell s total with the AL office 43 In his last appearance of the season he fanned five Detroit Tigers on September 29 to set what was then believed to be the then AL single season strikeout record of 348 44 Later research into box scores for Waddell s 1904 pitching appearances credited him with five additional strikeouts moving the mark to 349 and bumping Feller from the top spot 45 46 Feller s tally proved the highest for 62 years until passed by Sandy Koufax s then record 382 in 1966 During the 1946 season Feller registered career highs in strikeouts 348 games started 42 games pitched 48 shutouts 10 complete games 36 and innings pitched 377 1 all major league bests that season 43 44 47 Feller finished 26 15 with an ERA of 2 18 the latter a career low 10 48 Nearly 20 years later Feller recalled For the 1946 season though the Indians were so thin in pitching that player manager Boudreau decided I was to pitch every fourth day regardless of rainouts open dates or anything else 43 Feller began 1947 by setting up a barnstorming tour pitting his own selected team against a Negro league baseball team led by Satchel Paige Feller s team included Stan Musial and Phil Rizzuto while Paige s included Buck O Neil and Hilton Smith They played in 22 games across the United States and at the conclusion of the tour each player had made nearly as much money as the St Louis Cardinals made as a team for their 1946 World Series win 2 150 154 Against the St Louis Browns in Feller s second start of the season he extended his major league record for one hitters when he recorded his ninth one hit game in a shutout win on April 22 49 50 In a June 13 game against the Philadelphia Athletics having already amassed 10 strikeouts through four innings Feller fell from the mound which rain had made slippery and injured his back My fastball was never the same after that Feller said 8 49 He ended the season as the AL leader in wins 20 and shutouts 5 and led the majors in strikeouts 196 and innings pitched 299 10 World Series champion 1948 Edit In 1948 the Indians had one of their finest seasons though Feller experienced a season that had a considerable number of downs as well as ups Feller was selected to represent the AL All Stars for the seventh time in his career in the 1948 All Star Game but declined to play feeling that his performance did not warrant selection as an All Star At one point he was winless for a month 8 and by July 22 his record was 9 12 Lou Boudreau the Indians player manager declared we sink or swim with Feller and continued to pick him 8 Feller proceeded to go 10 3 for the remainder of his appearances to finish the season with a record of 19 15 a league leading 164 strikeouts and a 3 56 ERA 10 The Indians won a one game playoff against the Boston Red Sox to determine the team to represent the AL in the World Series it was the first time the team had won the pennant since the 1920 season 2 201 Feller started Game One of the 1948 World Series against the NL champion Boston Braves In the eighth inning Feller and Boudreau appeared to have picked off the Braves Phil Masi as he attempted to steal a base but umpire Bill Stewart ruled he was safe 8 Masi scored the only run of the game on a Braves single Despite surrendering just two hits on 85 pitches for the game Feller and the Indians lost 1 0 51 Later photographs showed that Boudreau had tagged Masi out by two feet Feller said Stewart was the only guy in the park who thought he was safe 8 Feller was again named the starter in Game Five which set an attendance record the 86 288 fans at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland was the then largest attendance at a baseball game 5 432 The Braves put up three runs in the top of the first inning The Indians came back to tie the game but by the seventh inning the Braves regained the lead for good and Feller was removed from the game He finished having allowed eight hits and seven earned runs 2 204 Lemon won Game Six and gave the Indians their second World Series championship After the Indians returned to Cleveland and were given a victory parade Feller said This is as good as being President 52 Later years 1949 1956 Edit Feller interviewed by the University of Texas campus newspaper The Shorthorn in 1950 Feller c 1953 After taking a pay cut to start the 1949 season Feller pitched on Opening Day against the St Louis Browns During the game he injured his shoulder and missed the rest of April His performances were mixed during the rest of the season and he finished the year with a 15 14 record and a 3 75 ERA 2 206 211 Before the 1950 season Feller suggested to Indians management he take a pay cut and did so Indians general manager Hank Greenberg said He himself made the suggestion In fact he offered to take more than the 25 per cent maximum pay cut allowed There was absolutely nothing to it We all agreed quickly on the figure after Bob showed up yesterday 53 In a win over the Detroit Tigers in the second game of a doubleheader Feller became the 53rd pitcher to win 200 games 5 64 Throughout the year players noted that his velocity had returned and winning games with finesse rather than power he was again effective He finished the year with 16 wins and a 3 43 ERA 2 215 On July 1 1951 Feller recorded his third career no hitter against the Detroit Tigers 42 I was depending on my slider and I didn t begin to think of a no hitter until about the seventh inning I tried to keep it in the back of my mind bearing down and concentrating on one hitter at a time Feller said 54 Feller was the third pitcher after Larry Corcoran and Cy Young to record three career no hitters 54 He became the first pitcher of the 1951 season to reach 20 wins after he pitched a shutout against the Washington Senators on August 21 55 Along with Early Wynn and Mike Garcia Feller reached the 20 win mark during the season they were the first trio of pitchers on the same staff to earn 20 wins since 1931 5 65 The Cleveland starting rotation was so strong that future Hall of Famer Bob Lemon s 17 wins was the only time in an eight year stretch he didn t win 20 56 Feller went 22 8 in 1951 leading the AL both in wins and with a 733 win percentage He was named the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year 57 Feller started the 1952 season with three wins in his first five starts one of the losses was an April 23 one hitter against Bob Cain who also allowed only one hit Feller struggled for the rest of the season and after an argument with an umpire over a strike call in late August manager Al Lopez shut Feller down for the season 2 227 230 finishing 9 13 and a 4 74 ERA 10 He improved the following year winning 10 games and losing 7 in 25 starts after Lopez gave him extra days of rest between appearances 2 234 The Indians won 111 regular season games during 1954 breaking an AL record previously held by the 1927 New York Yankees 5 67 The 35 year old Feller finished 13 3 on the year earning his 250th pitching victory in a May 23 win and his 2 500th career strikeout in a win on June 12 5 68 The Indians played against the New York Giants in the 1954 World Series getting swept in four games Unlike the 1948 Series Feller did not make an appearance Indians manager Al Lopez said of not starting Feller I know Feller wanted to start one of the games in the 1954 World Series when the Indians were swept by the New York Giants though we never really talked about it If we had won the first or second game in New York I was going to start Feller in Cleveland in the fourth game But when we didn t win either game in New York why in the hell was I going to pitch Feller He was the fifth starter on the club at that time and wasn t the Feller he d been earlier in his career 58 In 1955 Feller spent part of the season as a starter then was moved to the bullpen later in the season He went 4 4 in 25 appearances 10 During the off season he became chairman of the Ohio March of Dimes and served as player representative for the American League He worked with National League representative Robin Roberts throughout the off season discussing the possibility of player arbitration and pensions with baseball owners he then became president of the Major League Baseball Players Association 2 244 In the 1956 season Feller started four games and appeared in 15 others and finished with an 0 4 record and career worst 4 97 ERA 10 The Indians held Bob Feller Night on September 9 and he appeared in his last major league game on September 30 5 71 After the season speculation mounted regarding whether Feller would retire as a player 59 In December 1956 Feller told The Plain Dealer I will return to Cleveland later this week and plan to confer with Hank Greenberg before Christmas I hope to reach a decision at that time 60 Greenberg had also offered Feller his release or a job with the Indians in their front office Greenberg said We sincerely want Feller to remain with us As far as I m concerned there will always be a job waiting for Bob in the Cleveland organization 60 On December 28 Feller officially retired from the Indians as a player to continue his work selling insurance 61 Announcing his retirement Feller said I could have gone with a couple other ball clubs but anything I might have done with them would have taken the edge off the success I have had with the Cleveland club the last 20 years He continued What if I did pitch another year so what I would have to come to the decision I am making now some time 62 Bob Feller s number 19 was retired by the Cleveland Indians in 1956 He spent his entire career of 18 seasons with the Indians being one of The Big Four in the Indians pitching rotation in the 1950s along with Bob Lemon Early Wynn and Mike Garcia Feller shares the Major League record of 12 one hitters with Nolan Ryan and was the first pitcher to win 20 or more games before the age of 21 42 He ended his career with 266 wins 2 581 strikeouts and 279 complete games Over the course of his career he led the AL in strikeouts seven times and walks four times 10 Upon his retirement Feller was number three all time in strikeouts behind only Walter Johnson and Cy Young 63 and held the major league record for most walks in a career 1 764 and holds the 20th century record for most walks in a season 208 in 1938 64 The Indians retired his jersey number 19 on December 27 1956 65 As a hitter Feller posted a 151 batting average 193 for 1282 with 99 runs 28 doubles 13 triples 8 home runs 99 RBI and 100 bases on balls Defensively he recorded a 963 fielding percentage 10 In 1962 Feller was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum along with Jackie Robinson Both were the first to be elected on their first ballot appearance since the original induction class of 1936 47 At the time of his induction only Ty Cobb 98 2 Babe Ruth 95 1 and Honus Wagner 95 1 had a higher percentage of ballot votes In 2010 after Feller had been admitted to hospice a reporter released a story recalling a 2007 interview with an aged Feller where he brought up Feller s candid assessment of Robinson as a ballplayer They overhyped Jackie Robinson He was a good baserunner He was a fair hitter He was an average second baseman He was not as good a ballplayer as Larry Doby There were a lot of better black ballplayers than Jackie Robinson said Feller 66 Dispute with Commissioner Chandler EditThroughout his career Feller played exhibition games during the off season playing in towns unaccustomed to seeing major league ballplayers His exhibition tours often featured other big leaguers and Negro league players like Satchel Paige who was also a teammate of Feller s with the Indians 67 Other players included Stan Musial Mickey Vernon and Jeff Heath 68 During a barnstorming tour in 1945 Feller pitched against Jackie Robinson after he had been signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers He told a reporter in Los Angeles that he believed Robinson was too muscle bound to succeed against pitching in the major leagues although Robinson recorded two hits off Feller 11 69 70 Players had to notify the Commissioner of Baseball A B Happy Chandler before participating in exhibition games and were not allowed to begin games before the conclusion of the major league season Feller wrote to Chandler challenging the league s limit on the number of games that were allowed to be played and proposing an increase the Commissioner agreed to Feller s proposal 71 To minimize travel time Feller employed airplanes such as two Douglas DC 3s in 1947 to transport players from town to town Feller s involvement as well as that of other major league players was the subject of meetings between the Commissioner and AL and NL presidents 72 In 1947 Feller announced that he would pitch in the Cuban winter league during the off season but Commissioner Chandler ruled no major leaguer could play in Cuba 73 Feller said he would donate his profits from playing in the Cuban winter league to the American Major League players pension fund I want to prove I m not going to Cuba for any selfish interest but because there is a principle involved and that is the right of any ball player to work at his chosen profession 74 Feller also believed it was grossly unfair that major leaguers who were U S citizens could not play in winter leagues but Latin Americans were permitted 75 Indians owner and president Bill Veeck said I have no comment on Bob s outside activities I don t know whether they ve hurt him or not But I do know this The great majority of the people of Cleveland think they ve hurt him 73 Feller s barnstorming business savvy and endorsement details made him one of the wealthiest players of his time but he claimed his off season exhibitions and barnstorming were necessary to pay for increased medical expenses for his family His first wife developed anemia after giving birth to their second child when she was given the wrong type of blood during transfusions she subsequently became addicted to the prescribed medication for her condition 6 Feller was trying to make up lost earnings as a result since he missed out on 125 000 or more in salary 76 when he served in the Navy he missed more than three major league seasons 71 Feller s biographer John Sickels suggested They were trying to make money but part of it was also he felt that the black players weren t necessarily getting a fair chance and that he wanted to sort of showcase it And seeing those I think those exhibition games helped people realize that the Negro league players were just as good as the Major League players 77 Records Edit 91 year old Feller in March 2009 Feller who averaged over 25 wins for the three seasons preceding his military service and won 26 his first year out estimated that the nearly four years he missed while in the U S Navy cost him at least 100 career wins Given his proven performance on both sides of his hitch it is likely that Feller would have finished his career with more than 350 wins and perhaps 3 800 strikeouts 78 79 The always plain speaking Feller said I know in my heart I would have ended up a lot closer to 400 than 300 if I hadn t spent four seasons in the Navy But don t take that as a complaint I m happy I got home in one piece 11 There are numerous claims of how fast Feller could actually throw a ball All are inherently dubious due to the extremely inaccurate means of measuring used and none can be proven valid Best estimates are at least 98 mph and quite possibly several miles an hour over 100 mph Among them is footage of a Feller fastball being clocked by Army ordnance equipment used to measure artillery shell velocity and registering at 98 6 mph 158 7 km h 80 However this took place in the later years of his career and the speed of the ball was measured as it crossed the plate whereas later methods measure the speed as it leaves the pitcher s hand citation needed With primitive equipment Feller was at one point measured at 105 mph 169 km h 8 Feller once mentioned that he was clocked at 104 mph 167 km h at Lincoln Park in Chicago 81 He also is credited with throwing the second fastest pitch ever officially recorded at 107 6 mph 173 2 km h in a game in 1946 at Griffith Stadium 1 3 27 Feller said a 1974 test involving Nolan Ryan would be evaluated when he threw the ball rather than when it reached home plate and as columnist Milton Richman wrote Feller said Sandy Koufax had the best live fast ball he ever saw 82 Although subjective an extremely telling assessment of just how hard Feller was to hit even for a left handed hitter who had an advantage compared to right handers was the tribute from Ted Williams regarded by many as the greatest hitter in baseball history 83 He confessed Three days before he pitched I would start thinking about Robert Feller Bob Feller I d sit in my room thinking about him all the time God I loved it Allie Reynolds of the Yankees was tough and I might think about him for 24 hours before a game but Robert Feller I d think about him for three days 6 Feller was ranked 36th on Sporting News s list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players and also the publication s greatest pitcher of his time as well as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All Century Team in 1999 84 Each year American Legion Baseball presents the Bob Feller Pitching Award to the pitcher with the most strikeouts in regional and national competition 85 Later life EditFeller was elected the inaugural president of the Major League Baseball Players Association in 1956 86 As president he appeared before Congress to speak about baseball s reserve clause 87 88 Feller was the first player to get a franchise to agree to a share of game receipts when he was the starting pitcher for Indians games He was also the earliest player to incorporate himself as Ro Fel Inc 77 89 He was also one of the first players to work for the right of a player to enter free agency 77 Feller and his wife Virginia Winther had three sons Steve Martin and Bruce The couple divorced in 1971 from the divorce settlement Virginia received the house she and Feller had built Virginia died on May 6 1981 in her home in Shaker Heights Ohio 90 In retirement Feller lived with his second wife Anne Feller in Gates Mills a suburb of Cleveland 2 263 Feller is credited with being the first baseball star to sign autographs at baseball memorabilia conventions 91 and was such a frequent guest at such events that one ESPN writer speculated that he had signed more autographs than any other person 92 In 1990 Feller received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement 93 In June 2009 at the age of 90 Feller was one of the starting pitchers at the inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame Classic which replaced the Hall of Fame Game at Cooperstown New York 94 Feller was treated for leukemia in August 2010 95 By October Feller was fitted with a pacemaker and was diagnosed with pneumonia and thrush an infection of the mucous membrane lining the mouth and throat He was transferred on December 8 from the Cleveland Clinic to hospice care 96 On December 15 Feller died of complications from leukemia at 92 11 Legacy Edit Former Bob Feller Museum in his birthplace Van Meter Iowa today the city hall Of Feller s death Mike Hegan Indians broadcaster and son of former Feller teammate and battery mate Jim Hegan stated The Indians of the 40s and 50s were the face of the city of Cleveland and Bob was the face of the Indians But Bob transcended more than that era In this day of free agency and switching teams Bob Feller remained loyal to the city and the team for over 70 years You will likely not see that kind of mutual loyalty and admiration ever again 97 In 2010 the Cleveland Indians Man of the Year Award was renamed the Bob Feller Man of the Year Award 97 On Opening Day of the 2011 season the Indians invited Feller s widow Anne to present a silent first pitch During pregame introductions Cleveland players wore a No 19 jersey in honor of Feller For the entire 2011 season the players uniforms were outfitted with an outline of Feller s pitching motion The organization also made a permanent memorial of the press box seat that Feller used in later life 98 The Bob Feller Museum opened in Feller s birthplace Van Meter Iowa on June 10 1995 Designed by Feller s son Stephen on land donated by Brenton Banks 99 the museum had two rooms that contained Feller memorabilia and items from his own collection The Feller bat used by Babe Ruth when he made his last public appearance at Yankee Stadium is at the museum Feller said a teammate had stolen the bat and eventually it was purchased by the Upper Deck sports card company for 107 000 Feller later offered the company 95 000 in return for the bat 100 Following Feller s death in 2010 the museum faced serious funding issues In 2015 with family approval the Bob Feller Museum was donated to the city of Van Meter for use as the city hall Some artifacts remain on permanent exhibit and can be viewed free of charge 101 102 In 2013 the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award was created to honor the life of Feller The award recognizes individuals that possess the values integrity and dedication to serving our country that Bob Feller himself displayed 103 See also Edit Biography portal Baseball portalDHL Hometown Heroes Major League Baseball titles leaders TSN Pitcher of the Year 1951 List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders List of Major League Baseball no hitters List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise List of Major League Baseball single game strikeout leadersReferences Edit a b c Feeney Mark December 16 2010 Bob Feller 92 Hall of Famer had blazing fastball Boston Globe Retrieved July 27 2012 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Sickels John 2005 Bob Feller Ace of the Greatest Generation Potomac Books ISBN 978 1 57488 707 5 a b c d Feller Bob Rocks Burton 2001 Bob Feller s Little Black Book of Baseball Wisdom Chicago Contemporary Books ISBN 0 8092 9843 0 Feller Bob Gilbert Bill 1990 Now Pitching Bob Feller New York City Kensington Publishing ISBN 0 8065 2362 X a b c d e f g h Schneider Russell 2004 The Cleveland Indians Encyclopedia Third ed Champaign Illinois Sports Publishing ISBN 1 58261 840 2 Retrieved September 3 2012 a b c d e f g h Deford Frank August 8 2005 Rapid Robert Can Still Bring It Sports Illustrated Williams Joe December 11 1936 Rob the Cradle And Why Not Pittsburgh Press p 57 Retrieved September 5 2012 a b c d e f g h i j k l Dolgan Bob December 15 2010 Bob Feller The Greatest Cleveland Indian dies at age 92 The Plain Dealer Retrieved July 26 2012 Philadelphia Athletics at Cleveland Indians Box Score September 13 1936 Baseball Reference com Retrieved February 25 2020 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Bob Feller Statistics and History Baseball Reference com Retrieved July 27 2012 a b c d e f Goldstein Richard December 15 2010 Bob Feller Whose Fastball Dazzled Dies at 92 The New York Times Retrieved April 29 2012 Time Magazine Cover Bob Feller April 19 1937 Time Archived from the original on February 6 2009 Retrieved July 26 2012 Bob Feller 1918 2010 One of Baseball s Finest Pitchers Voice of America July 27 2012 Retrieved July 27 2012 Feller Gets Diploma From High School The Palm Beach Post Associated Press May 15 1937 p 7 Retrieved September 5 2012 Cleveland May Retire Bob Feller for Year Evening Independent St Petersburg Florida Associated Press May 15 1937 Retrieved September 5 2012 Bob Feller 1937 Pitching Gamelogs Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 5 2012 Detroit vs Cleveland Game 1 October 2 1938 baseball almanac com Retrieved July 20 2022 1 Detroit vs Cleveland Game 2 October 2 1938 baseball almanac com The 18 Strikeouts of Bob Feller Sports Illustrated May 8 1961 a b Wendel Tim March 22 2011 High Heat The Secret History of the Fastball and the Improbable Search for the Fastest Pitcher of All Time Cambridge Massachusetts Da Capo Press p 45 ISBN 978 0 306 81848 6 October 2 1938 Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians box score Baseball Reference com Retrieved July 25 2012 Ouch Twin s Span Hits Mother With Foul Ball NBC Sports March 31 2010 Archived from the original on February 5 2012 Retrieved January 16 2013 1939 American League Pitching Leaders Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 3 2012 Grove and Feller Top Pitchers Calgary Herald Associated Press December 19 1939 p 7 Retrieved September 5 2012 An Opening Day Jewel The New York Times Associated Press April 16 1940 Retrieved July 26 2012 Kirksey George April 22 1940 No Hit No Run Jinx Beats Feller In Second Appearance Berkeley Daily Gazette United Press International p 9 Retrieved September 3 2012 1940 American League Pitching Leaders Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 3 2012 Bob Feller Avoids Mistakes Of 1939 Reading Eagle Associated Press August 30 1940 p 16 Retrieved September 3 2012 2 Before Radar Guns Bob Feller original dialogue of the film s narrator McKelway St Clair May 12 1941 Bob Feller Baseball Idol Devotes Himself to Care and Worship of His Right Arm Life pp 51 60 Buckheit Mary November 12 2009 For Feller Navy was easy decision ESPN com Retrieved July 27 2012 Donegan Lawrence December 16 2010 The Sport Blog Baseball great Bob Feller pitched in for his team and his country The Guardian Retrieved July 27 2012 Mead William B December 1 1998 Baseball Goes to War Broadcast Interview Source p 192 ISBN 0 934333 38 6 Hoffman Dennis Bob Feller Biography Bobfellermuseum org Archived from the original on July 28 2012 Retrieved June 10 2012 a b Bastian Jordan March 31 2011 Indians fans pay tribute to Feller MLB com Archived from the original on May 10 2012 Retrieved July 26 2012 Finoli David 2002 For the Good of the Country World War II Baseball in the Major and Minor Leagues Jefferson NC McFarland Press ISBN 9780786413706 Radford Rich July 24 2011 Navy World Series In World War II Norfolk hosted baseball s best The Virginian Pilot Holmes Dan June 13 2016 Great Lakes Naval teams were best of the World War II era Bullock Steven R 2004 Playing for Their Nation Baseball and the American Military During World War II University of Nebraska Press ISBN 0803213379 Matches for Feller Bluejackets Chicago Tribune Retrieved November 19 2020 Bob Feller 1946 Pitching Gamelogs Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 5 2012 a b c Antonen Mel December 17 2012 Hall of Fame pitcher Indians great Bob Feller dies at 92 USA Today Retrieved July 26 2012 a b c Daley Arthur November 6 1964 Memories of 1946 Season Are Fond for Bob Feller The Milwaukee Journal New York Times News Service p 2 Retrieved September 3 2012 a b Bob Feller Fans Five Sets Mark Youngstown Vindicator Associated Press September 30 1946 p 8 Retrieved September 3 2012 Minasian Isabelle A s Sell Rube Waddell to Browns Baseball Hall of Fame Retrieved July 20 2022 Yearly League Leaders amp Records for Strikeouts Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 3 2012 a b Robinson Cracks Hall s Barrier Feller In Too St Petersburg Independent Associated Press January 24 1962 p 4B Retrieved September 3 2012 Hal Newhouser Top Hurler In A L Again San Jose Evening News Associated Press December 17 1946 p 17 Retrieved September 3 2012 a b 1947 Bob Feller Pitching Gamelogs Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 3 2012 Reichler Joe April 23 1947 Bob Feller and Hal Gregg Hurl One Hitters In Major League Features Argus Press Owasso Michigan Associated Press p 12 Retrieved September 3 2012 Eck Frank October 7 1948 Rookie Rickert Breaks Up Bobby s No Hit Try The Windsor Daily Star p 3 Retrieved September 5 2012 Cleveland Crazy Over Champs The Vancouver Sun October 12 1948 p 10 Retrieved September 5 2012 Brown David January 18 2012 Big League Stew blog Bob Feller once demanded a 25 percent pay cut Yahoo Sports Retrieved July 27 2012 a b Didn t Have Much At Start Bob Says Considers Yank No Hitter Biggest Thrill Miami Daily News International News Service July 2 1951 p 11A Bob Feller Wins No 20 As Indians Hold Edge On Yanks Nashua Telegraph Associated Press August 22 1951 p 13 Retrieved September 3 2012 3 Bob Lemon at baseball reference com The Sporting News Pitchers of the Year amp The Sporting News Major League Players of the Year Baseball Reference com Retrieved February 19 2013 Schneider Russell 2002 Tales From the Tribe Dugout A Collection of the Greatest Cleveland Indians Stories Ever Told Champaign Illinois Sports Publishing pp 108 109 ISBN 1 58261 303 6 Retrieved September 3 2012 Bob Feller Rumored Quitting The Robesonian Lumberton North Carolina Associated Press December 11 1956 p 6 Retrieved September 5 2012 a b Reichler Joe December 11 1956 Bob Feller May Move Into Front Office The Portsmouth Times p 14 Retrieved September 5 2012 Feller Retirement Takes Some Color From Sport Kentucky New Era Associated Press December 29 1956 p 6 Retrieved September 5 2012 Bob Feller Announces Retirement Sarasota Herald Tribune Associated Press December 29 1956 p 10 Retrieved September 5 2012 All time Career Strikeout Leaders baseball reference com Single Season Leaders and Records for Bases on Balls Baseball Reference com Retrieved October 31 2012 Indians Retired Numbers MLB com Archived from the original on August 19 2016 Retrieved October 31 2012 Scalzo Joe December 15 2010 Feller s heat could be felt off the field The Vindicator Youngstown Ohio Archived from the original on October 21 2016 Retrieved September 3 2012 Bob Feller to Make a Barnstorming Tour The Milwaukee Journal Associated Press September 25 1945 p 6 Retrieved September 3 2012 Feller s All Stars to Barnstorm Portland Eugene Register Guard Associated Press September 18 1946 p 9 Retrieved September 3 2012 Young A S February 1969 A Black Man in the Wigwam Ebony Chicago XXIV 4 66 74 Retrieved July 29 2012 Jackie Robinson Feller Clash Over Baseball Blacks Issue Pittsburgh Post Gazette United Press International July 23 1969 p 62 Retrieved September 3 2012 a b Barnstorming Green Light For Bob Feller The Lewiston Daily Sun Associated Press September 12 1945 p 9 Retrieved September 3 2012 All Washed Up Not Bob Feller Spokane Daily Chronicle Associated Press June 28 1947 p 8 Retrieved September 3 2012 a b Veeck Says Feller Is Bothered Because Fans Are Down On Him The Milwaukee Journal Associated Press August 19 1947 p 6 Retrieved September 3 2012 Feller Would Give Cuban Profits To Pension Fund Telegraph Herald Dubuque Iowa Associated Press August 17 1947 p 20 Retrieved September 3 2012 Bob Feller Criticizes Majors for Favoritism to Cubans The Milwaukee Journal Associated Press July 5 1951 p 10 Retrieved September 3 2012 4 Bob Feller salaries at baseball reference com a b c Rabinowitz Amanda December 16 2010 Cleveland Pitching Great Bob Feller Dies at 92 NPR Retrieved September 5 2012 5 Bob Feller at baseball reference com Bullock Steven R 2004 Playing for Their Nation Baseball and the American Military during World War II University of Nebraska Press pp 133 134 ISBN 0 8032 1337 9 Keeler Sean December 15 2010 Rapid Robert Feller did things his way on and off the mount Des Moines Register Archived from the original on January 22 2013 Retrieved July 27 2012 Bob Feller Threw Fastball Past Cycle The Madison Courier Associated Press August 5 1988 p B12 Retrieved September 5 2012 Richman Milton September 5 1974 Who s the Fastest Feller or Ryan The Beaver County Times p B 4 Retrieved September 5 2012 Kurkjian Tim July 5 2002 Williams is the greatest hitter of any time ESPN Retrieved July 20 2022 Baseball s 100 Greatest Players The Sporting News April 26 1999 p 20 American Legion Baseball Awards Legion org Retrieved July 26 2012 Elect Feller as Head Of Players Group Lewiston Evening Journal Associated Press October 2 1956 p 10 Retrieved September 5 2012 Reserve Clause Limit Is Urged By Bob Feller The Modesto Bee Associated Press United Press International June 25 1957 p 16 Retrieved September 5 2012 Bob Feller The Mike Wallace Interview Harry Ransom Center Retrieved September 5 2012 Acocella Nick Rapid Robert rocked em with his fastball ESPN com Retrieved October 31 2012 Virginia Feller Obituary The New York Times United Press International May 7 1981 Retrieved July 26 2012 David Crumpler November 16 2012 Sports autograph authenticator separates the real from the fake The Florida Times Union Jacksonville com Retrieved November 3 2013 Rob Neyer December 16 2010 Bob Feller s signature Priceless Sweet Spot ESPN Retrieved November 3 2013 All Honorees www achievement org American Academy of Achievement Retrieved January 11 2021 Bob Feller still a starter TCPalm Scripps Interactive Media Group Associated Press June 20 2009 Retrieved July 25 2012 Hall of Famer Bob Feller being treated for leukemia Espn com Associated Press Retrieved July 26 2012 Hoynes Paul December 9 2010 Cleveland Indians Hall of Famer Bob Feller is in hospice The Plain Dealer Retrieved July 26 2012 a b Indians mourn the passing of Rapid Robert Bob Feller MLB com Press release December 15 2010 Retrieved May 4 2012 Indians honor Bob Feller on Opening Day all year USA Today March 24 2011 Retrieved May 4 2012 History and Personnel Bobfellermuseum org Archived from the original on August 5 2012 Retrieved July 26 2012 Curry Jack June 23 2008 Bob Feller Lots of Words Plus a Ride to the Airport New York Times Bats Blog Retrieved July 26 2012 Borzi Pat February 16 2015 In Town Where Pitcher s 266 Wins Were Part of Fabric One Big Loss The New York Times Retrieved October 13 2021 Birch Tommy November 19 2014 Bob Feller Museum closes will merge with City Hall The Des Moines Register Retrieved October 13 2021 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award MLB com Retrieved February 22 2021 Further reading EditFeller Bob 2007 Hello Slider Mascot Books ISBN 978 1 932888 88 1 Feller Bob Bill Gilbert 2002 Now Pitching Bob Feller A Baseball Memoir Citadel Press p 232 ISBN 978 0 8065 2362 0 Feller Bob Burton Rocks 2001 Bob Feller s Little Black Book of Baseball Wisdom McGraw Hill Professional p 160 ISBN 978 0 8092 9843 3 Honig Donald 1975 Baseball When the Grass Was Real Baseball from the Twenties to the Forties Told by the Men Who Played It New York Coward McGann amp Geoghegan pp 258 281 SBN 698 10660 1 Kalb Elliott 2005 Who s Better Who s Best in Baseball McGraw Hill Professional p 416 ISBN 978 0 07 144538 2 Sickels John 2004 Bob Feller Ace of the Greatest Generation Potomac Books Inc p 336 ISBN 978 1 57488 441 8 For Feller Navy was easy decision interviewed by Mary Buckheit on ESPN Page 2External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bob Feller Bob Feller at the Baseball Hall of Fame Career statistics and player information from MLB or ESPN or Baseball Reference or Fangraphs or Baseball Reference Minors or Retrosheet Bob Feller at SABR Baseball BioProject The Bob Feller Museum Bob Feller at Find a Grave Bob Feller Oral History Interview 1 of 2 National Baseball Hall of Fame Digital Collection Bob Feller Oral History Interview 2 of 2 National Baseball Hall of Fame Digital Collection The Bob Feller Act of Valor AwardPreceded byLefty Grove American League Pitching Triple Crown1940 Succeeded byHal NewhouserPreceded byMonte PearsonEd HeadCliff Chambers No hitter pitcherApril 16 1940April 30 1946July 1 1951 Succeeded byTex CarletonEwell BlackwellAllie Reynolds Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bob Feller amp oldid 1145383728, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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