You know how people say a picture paints a thousand words? Well when you're talking about Bob Feller, a thousands words is not nearly enough.
Robert "Bob" Feller was born in Van Meter, Iowa on November 3, 1918. He was never the smartest or most athletic but what he did have was a hard-working, farm-boy mentality, and his father who taught him everything in "life lessons." In 1931 his father built him a baseball field in which Feller called "Field of Dreams," and credits where he first learned to play baseball.
Feller was signed at age 16 secretly by scout Cy Slapnicka for $1 and an autographed baseball. In 1936 at age 17 he made his debut and struck out 15 batters, soon earning one of his nicknames, "Rapid Robert." From 1936-1941 Feller accumulated 107 wins and 1,233 strikeouts in six seasons. He did have control problems, which caused his losses to rack up.
Then the day came when Pearl Harbor was attacked December 7 1941. That same day Feller enlisted into the Navy. Feller fought in WWII from 1942-1945, losing four seasons of his career to fight for his country. Feller was a gunner for the Battleship "Alabama" and earned eight battle stars. When Feller came back from his service, people would call him a hero to which his response was: "I'm no hero. Heroes don't come back. Survivors return home. Heroes never come home. If anyone thinks I'm a hero, I'm not."
Feller came back in 1945 to play another 11 seasons after his service. He finished with 266 wins, 279 complete games and 2,581 strikeouts before retiring at 37 years old. He also had three no-hitters, 12 one-hitters and lifetime ERA of 3.25.
We all know what kind of great pitcher Bob Feller was but that's not what I will remember most about him. I will always remember his connection he kept with baseball, the fans and Cleveland after retiring. Like most retired professional athletes Feller could have ridden off into the sunset, never to be heard from him again. That's not what he did though.
Feller kept baseball in his life till the very end. It seemed like he was at Progressive Field every day. He was always throwing out the first pitches, attending Opening Days and Hall of Fame ceremonies. If someone asked for an interview Feller would sit them down tell them how it was back in his day, and how baseball and America were the greatest things on earth.
He would join Tom Hamilton and Rick Manning in the booth in the middle of Indians games in good health or not, and talk about a range of topics. During spring training fantasy camps Feller would pitch against fans and former Indians greats into his late 80s. Even at 90 years old Feller was the starting pitcher in baseball's Hall of Fame Classic in Cooperstown.
He was a people person. He would sign autographs and tell stories all the time during spring training. If you ever had a chance to shake his hand or talk to him in person, an automatic smile would come upon your face—he was that type of guy.
Personally, as a Cleveland Indians fan, I will miss not having him around spring training and Progressive Field next season.
R.I.P Bob Feller; you will never be forgotten.
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