Great Ballplayer, Great American
Contents at a Glance
In This Lens
Early Years
On His Way
In 1936, at age 17, Feller made his first big league appearance against the St. Louis Browns and struck out 15 batters. In September of that season, facing the Philadelphia Athletics, he struck out 17 batters in a single game to set the American League record. He then went back to finish high school, where his graduation was broadcast on NBC Radio.Rapid Robert continued to improve, and in 1939, he began a string of three consecutive seasons leading the league in wins, innings pitched and strikeouts. In 1940 he threw the only opening day no-hitter in the history of baseball.
"Baseball in the Navy always was much more fun than it had been in the Major Leagues"
Change of Plans
In December of 1941, the 22 year old Feller was driving to Chicago to sign a new contract with the Indians when he heard the news that pearl Harbor had been bombed. When he got to the Windy City, he decided to instead join the Navy to defend his country. He could have easily gotten a deferment, but was the first big leaguer to join the service, to be followed by such stars as Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Hang Greenberg and Stan Musial. He even volunteered for combat duty and saw action in the Pacific.Feller served from 1942 until 1945, earning 5 campaign ribbons and 8 battle stars. He did keep his pitching skills sharp when he had the chance, and returned to the Indians in 1945 to pitch 9 games.
Bob Feller & Cy Young
Back to the Diamond
In 1946, his first full season out of the Navy, Bullet Bob had arguably his greatest season ever. He set career highs in strikeouts, complete games, shutouts, and innings pitched, all of which led the league. His earned run average of 2.18 was the lowest of his career, and his league-leading 26 victories was just one short of his best. He also threw his second no-hitter against the New York Yankees
Great Bob Feller Books
Bob Feller's Little Black Book of Baseball Wisdom
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 01/01/2010) 
Bob Feller: Ace of the Greatest Generation
Amazon Price: $23.04 (as of 01/01/2010)
Now Pitching, Bob Feller: A Baseball Memoir
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 01/01/2010)
Bob Feller's Little Blue Book of Baseball Wisdom
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 01/01/2010)
"Nowadays, they have more trouble packing their hair dryers than baseball equipment."
Team Success
In 1948, the Indians appeared in their first World Series since 1920, and defeated the Boston Braves 4 games to 2. Feller started two contests but lost them both. In 1951, Feller again led the league in victories, and pitched the third no-hitter of his career.
Cleveland went to the Series once more in 1954, but were swept by the New York Giants, and Feller did not pitch.
Feller retired after the 1956 season, the only year he did not record a victory. He finished with 266 wins, which was tops among active pitchers, as was his total of 2581 strikeouts. He was an eight-time all star, led the league in wins 6 times and strikeouts 7 times. He certainly had a strong mind for business during his career, negotiating incentive-laden contracts and often performing on barnstorming tours during the offseason.
"I would rather beat the Yankees regularly than pitch a no-hit game"
After Baseball
In 1962, Feller was honored with election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, in his first year of eligibility. He received 93% of the votes. The Sporting News later named him the greatest pitcher of his time. In 1994, a statue of Feller was put up outside the new Jacobs Field in Cleveland. (Now Progressive Field) And in 1995, the Bob Feller Museum opened in his hometown of Van Meter.Rapid Robert is still very involved in the game he loves. Often visiting spring training and his museum, he also travels to different ballparks and card shows around the country. Just yesterday I read that he would be outside Progressive Field signing autographs before the Indians game. And in April, the New York Times reported that the 90 year old would be pitching this June in the Hall of Fame Classic.
He is also very opinionated. The recent steroid users do not belong in the Hall of Fame, no matter who they are, according to Bullet Bob. And he seems to long for a time when baseball was about the game and winning, not money, fancy ballparks and individual success over that of the team.
Your Thoughts
What do you think about Bob Feller? How bout this lens?
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Reply
- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie May 15, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
- I wonder if Bob Feller ever heard of Vito Valentinetti? I've done a lens on this baseball player from the 1950s and 1960s who is related by marriage! Great job on the lens -- welcome to Squidoo. I'm originally from Cleveland, but am living in Florida -- fyi, my brother graduated from Kent State!
Great Squidoo Links
The Bob Feller Museum
Bob Feller on the Web
- The Official Site of Beb Feller
- Bob Feller new, photos, quotes, etc.
- Bob Feller Museum - Biography, Signings, Autographs & More
- Bob Feller Museum exhibits baseball history by showcasing Bob Feller merchandise and offering baseball player signing events.
- Bob Feller Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com
- Bob Feller Robert William Andrew Feller (Rapid Robert). Hall of Famer. Bats: Right , Throws: Right Height: 6' 0" , Weight: 185 lb. ...
- National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum: Hall of Famer detail
- Bob Feller's blazing fastball set the standard against which all of his successors have been judged. Rapid Robert spent his entire 18-year career with ...
- The Official Site of The Cleveland Indians | indians.com: Homepage
- Headlines, statistics, photograph galleries and general team information.
by lefty78
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