By Aaron M Smith
On December 15, 2010 word was received by many that Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller had passed away at the age of 92. Immediately I heard and read opposite opinions about Bob Feller – to the point that I decided to find out more about the Heater from Van Meter. Here is what I found…
Let’s get some of the specifics out of the way. From Van Meter, Iowa , Feller made his major league debut at the ripe old age of 17. In 1938 Feller set a then major league record, striking out 18 in a game. In 1940, Feller became the only major league pitcher to throw a no-hitter on Opening Day. In fact by the age of 23, Feller would have 107 career wins and over 1,200 strikeouts. How hard did Feller throw? Well in a 1946 game, Feller had a pitch clocked at 107.6 mph. Dizzy Dean was once quoted as saying, ” That sounded like a strike.”
But on December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor forced Bob Feller to put his major league career on hold. Feller became the first major league player to volunteer for active duty. An interesting note, Feller was exempt from active duty because his father was dying of brain cancer. But Feller felt “it was a war we had to win” and still volunteered for active duty. Feller served for 45 months, ultimately missing 4 major league seasons.
Feller returned the major leagues and in 1946 he finished 26-15 with 348 strikeouts. More impressive – Feller had 36 complete games during the 1946 season. Considering that current Major League players might have 36 complete games for a career – makes the number that much more impressive. In 1948 Feller help lead the Cleveland Indians to their last World Series – sorry Pat. In 1956, Feller retired from baseball with 266 wins, 2,581 strikeouts and a lifetime ERA of 3.25.
In retirement Feller remained in the Indians organization, doing public relations work for almost 40 years. Feller was fiercely outspoken and it wasn’t always complimentary. When recently asked about Stephen Strasburg, Feller was qouted as saying, ” Check back with me when he’s won 100 games”. When asked about Mark McGwire, Feller responded with ” I know a bum when I see one”. His opinions about Muhammad Ali were less than flattering. Feller protective of the game of baseball has been relentless on Pete Rose and was a known advocate of Rose remaining banned from the game.
One thing is for sure – Feller will be widely remembered by many in a variety of different ways – a teen sensation, a patriot, the best pitcher of his era, opinionated and possibly arrogant. In the end, the Cleveland Indians have a lost a hero and MLB has lost an ambassador.
I can remember my dad giving me impromptu baseball history lessons on Feller and Larry Doby when I was a kid because they were consecrated at Jacob’s Field and I asked who they were. I thought Feller must have been good if they erected a statue for him while still alive. Needless to say, I wasn’t told about his service and overall integrity for the game. Makes me appreciate him more. Sounds like he was just a natural and appreciates that being what creates an MLB great instead of any doctoring.
Thanks for including this, Smitty. And the 1948 reference was necessary to point out, so I forgive you 🙂
Nicely done, Smitty. My only “correction”; Feller was not “forced” to put his baseball career on hold. As you went on to say, he was the first ML player to volunteer and did so despite his exemption. Pat Tillman probably knew about Feller. His outspokenenss never bothered me, even though we seldom agreed.
Pete, you are correct – “forced” definitely wasn’t the right word. Feller could have easily taken the exemption and continued to play baseball throughout the war. But showing his patriotism and sense of duty – he choose to enlist. I am sure it is one of many examples of that generation – unfortunately this generation is quickly leaving us and their stories we should continue to hear.
I agree – I didn’t always agree with Bob Feller… But an interesting Baseball Commissioner he might have made..
Sorry Rey… had to. 🙂
I’m not a Bob Costas fan but his interview with Bob Feller is on the MLB Network Inside Studio 42 running this week…