The baseball commissioner, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, could have made Feller a free agent who would have commanded huge contract offers in a bidding frenzy. Height/Weight. [2]:124–127, When the war ended, Feller was discharged as a Chief Petty Officer on August 22, 1945. AKA Robert William Andrew Feller. 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. Bob Feller is a MLB baseball player. Twin's Span Hits Mother With Foul Ball", "No Hit, No Run Jinx Beats Feller In Second Appearance", "Bob Feller: Baseball Idol Devotes Himself to Care and Worship of His Right Arm", "The Sport Blog: Baseball great Bob Feller pitched in for his team and his country", "Navy World Series: In World War II, Norfolk hosted baseball's best", "Great Lakes Naval teams were best of the World War II era", "Hall of Fame pitcher, Indians great Bob Feller dies at 92", "Memories of 1946 Season Are Fond for Bob Feller", "Yearly League Leaders & Records for Strikeouts", "Robinson Cracks Hall's Barrier, Feller In, Too", "Bob Feller and Hal Gregg Hurl One-Hitters In Major League Features", "Rookie Rickert Breaks Up Bobby's No-Hit Try", "Big League Stew blog: Bob Feller once demanded a 25 percent pay cut", "Bob Feller Wins No. But Williams had paid Feller a personal tribute every time he was about to face him, preparing himself psychologically by repeating Feller’s name over and over. During pregame introductions, Cleveland players wore a No. Bill Feller and his son listened to live broadcasts of Cubs games from Chicago and to re-creations on WHO Radio in Des Moines by a fledgling sportscaster named Ronald Reagan. Pitched three no-hitters for Cleveland. "[27], The United States entered World War II with the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The 92-year old Feller died tonight at 9:15 p.m. His debut as an Indians starter, during his summer vacation, was spectacular: he struck out 15 batters. "[55] On December 28, Feller officially retired from the Indians as a player to continue his work selling insurance. 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. "[1] Hall of Famer Stan Musial believed he was "probably the greatest pitcher of our era. Bob Feller, the brilliant pitcher who is the only Cleveland pro athlete to be immortalized with a statue, died Wednesday night of complications from leukemia at age 92. Feller is survived by his wife, Anne; his sons Steve, Martin and Bruce from his marriage to his first wife, Virginia, which ended in divorce; his stepchildren John and Rachel, and a grandson, Daniel. He was married to Anne Morris Gilliland and Virginia Winther. We all agreed quickly on the figure after Bob showed up yesterday. He allowed five walks and struck out 11 Yankees. 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. The couple divorced in 1971; from the divorce settlement, Virginia received the house she and Feller had built. But when we didn't (win either game in New York), why in the hell was I going to pitch Feller? Dec. 15, 2010 Bob Feller, who came off an Iowa farm with a dazzling fastball that made him a national celebrity at 17 and propelled him to the Hall … I tried to keep it in the back of my mind, bearing down and concentrating on one hitter at a time", Feller said. The commissioner permitted the Indians to keep Feller, and in January 1937 he signed a one-year contract with them for only $10,000. The motorcycle passed Feller going 86 mph (138 km/h) and with a 10 foot (3.0 m) head start but the ball beat the bike to the target by 3 feet (0.91 m). Feller, who lived in Gates Mills, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, had recently been treated at the Cleveland Clinic for pneumonia and was at a hospice at his death. [70][80] He was also one of the first players to work for the right of a player to enter free agency. Feller, who won 266 games in 18 seasons — all with the Indians — died at 9:15 p.m. on Wednesday night of acute leukemia at a hospice, said Bob DiBiasio, the Indians vice president of … [8] Feller was decorated with six campaign ribbons and eight battle stars while serving on missions in both the Pacific and North Atlantic, and he was made an honorary member of the Green Berets later in life. [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. But he had injured his right shoulder during the 1947 season, and after that he was never the strikeout pitcher he had been. "[92], For other people nicknamed "Bullet Bob", see, Major League Baseball pitchers who have won the, Baseball during Naval service (1942, 1945), Cleveland Indians Opening Day starting pitchers, Major League Baseball Players' Association, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders, 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 players who spent their entire career with one franchise, List of Major League Baseball single-game strikeout leaders, List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders, "Bob Feller, 92, Hall of Famer had blazing fastball", "Bob Feller, The Greatest Cleveland Indian, dies at age 92", "Philadelphia Athletics at Cleveland Indians Box Score, September 13, 1936", "Bob Feller, Whose Fastball Dazzled, Dies at 92", "Time Magazine Cover: Bob Feller April 19, 1937", "Bob Feller, 1918–2010:One of Baseball's Finest Pitchers", "Cleveland May Retire Bob Feller for Year", "October 2, 1938 Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians box score", "Ouch! During his career, he threw no-hitters, in 1940, 1946, and 1951. He was born on November 3, 1918. Bob Feller actually lasted a bit longer than some thought. When the Indians won a league-record 111 games in 1954, Feller was their fourth starter, after Bob Lemon, Early Wynn and Mike Garcia. "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. The arc lights were used about 15 years before power lines came to the farm. Feller said a teammate had stolen the bat and eventually it was purchased by the Upper Deck sports card company for $107,000. Five days later, he married Virginia Winther, whom he had met while in Florida for spring training; she was a student at Rollins College. [2]:206–211 Before the 1950 season, Feller suggested to Indians management he take a pay cut, and did so. The contract was for a nominal $1 and a baseball autographed by Cleveland players. Bob Feller. The origin story of Feller, who would’ve turned 101 years old Nov. 3, reads like something out of a Superman comic — except, of course, that Feller’s rise to fame occurred in 1936, a full two years before Superman debuted in Action Comics No. “My father loved baseball and he cultivated my talent,” Feller told Donald Honig in his 1975 oral history, “Baseball When the Grass Was Real.” “I don’t think he ever had any doubt in his mind that I would play professional baseball someday.”. We cannot be surprised. Cleveland Pitching Great Bob Feller Dies At 92 Virtually until his death, baseball Hall of Famer Bob Feller remained an active Cleveland Indian. "It was one of those days when everything feels perfect, your arm, your coordination, your concentration, everything. [6] Feller was trying to make up lost earnings as a result, since he missed out on over $200,000 in salary when he served in the Navy; he missed more than three major league seasons. 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. Feller was not particularly big — 6 feet tall and a chunky 185 pounds — but by most estimations he threw harder than anyone who had ever pitched, with the possible exception of Walter Johnson and Lefty Grove. [86] 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 went 4–4 in 25 appearances. 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). Feller led the American League in wins six times and in strikeouts seven times. Still, Feller, who died in 2010 at 92, remains an unquestionable Iowa legend. Death. With primitive equipment, Feller was at one point measured at 105 mph (169 km/h). Former teammate Bob Feller said, "Bob had a good curve, a good slider, and a vicious sinker pitch. Cleveland Indians owner Larry Dolan has issued the following statement regarding the passing of legendary Bob Feller. But his reputation remained undimmed. [38] Feller said of the game, "The no-hitter on opening day in Chicago is the one that gets all the attention. One of a kind, he was an American original. After Feller’s junior year, his signing was a secret no longer. Although he had received a military exemption owing to his father's failing health, he wanted to serve in combat missions. When the 1937 season opened, Feller’s picture was on the cover of Time magazine. [5]:71 After the season, speculation mounted regarding whether Feller would retire as a player. 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. [84] 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. But Feller wanted to stay with the Indians, and his father threatened to sue if Landis did not allow that. As the 1937 season began, Feller appeared on the cover of the April 19, 1937 issue of Time magazine. There were a lot of better black ballplayers than Jackie Robinson," said Feller. [66], 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. [35], 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. Field: Sports: Info: Baseball player, Hall of Fame pitcher for the Cleveland Indians known for his hard throwing: Date of Birth: 11/03/1918: Date of Death: 12/15/2010: Age at Death: 92: Cause of Death: Cancer: Link(s) with more info: (opens in a new window) He was not as good a ballplayer as Larry Doby. [10], Before the 1946 season, Feller signed a $50,000 (equivalent to $656,000 in 2019) 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. Feller said to the crowd: "The real heroes didn't come home. [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. My friend Rob Neyer asked me to share my thoughts regarding the passing of Hall of Famer Bob Feller. Bob Feller was all of them. At 9:15, tonight, baseball Hall of Famer Bob Feller, one of the greatest pitchers who ever lived, died in a Cleveland area hospital from acute leukemia. [62] During a barnstorming tour in 1945, Feller pitched against Jackie Robinson after he had been signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers. Greenberg said, "We sincerely want Feller to remain with us. Alabama also served during Operation Flintlock while primarily being used as an escort battleship in 1944. South Carolina Death Notices April 6, 2021 April 6, 2021. Feller played primarily as a shortstop or outfielder, emulating Rogers Hornsby's batting stance. 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. I knew he was something special. "I was so tired from all the receptions I didn't know if I could finish the game", Feller said. [50] Feller was the third pitcher, after Larry Corcoran and Cy Young, to record three career no-hitters. He was a good baserunner. Born: 3-Nov-1918 Birthplace: Van Meter, IA Died: 15-Dec-2010 Location of death: Cleveland, OH Cause of death: Cancer - Leukemia. [2]:119, Shortly before Feller left for combat, his father died of brain cancer in early January 1943. “I’m no hero,” he said. The owner of the independent Des Moines minor league team, which had coveted him, contended that Feller had been acquired by the Indians in violation of baseball rules that governed the signing of amateurs. He pitched his opening-day no-hitter on April 16, 1940, stifling the Chicago White Sox, 1-0, at Comiskey Park. Known in his later life as “Bullet Bob” and “Rapid Robert” for his extraordinary pitching, he was born as Robert William Andrew Feller in Cleveland, Iowa on November 3, 1918. He would never spend a day in the minor leagues. Nov 3, 1918 – Dec 15, 2010 (Age 92) Plant Memorial Trees Opens send flowers url in a new window A month later on August 23, Feller made his first career start against the St. Louis Browns. History [2]:136 Feller recorded his second career no-hitter on April 30, 1946, against the New York Yankees. But, Bob transcended more than that era. I don't know whether they've hurt him or not. After the Indians returned to Cleveland and were given a victory parade, Feller said, "This is as good as being President. [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. [8] Feller once mentioned that he was clocked at 104 mph (167 km/h) at Lincoln Park in Chicago. https://www.sunsigns.org/famousbirthdays/d/profile/bob-feller [69] Indians owner and president Bill Veeck said, "I have no comment on Bob's outside activities. 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. [10] Feller later assessed his first few years in the majors: "I relied on the catcher too much. Feller’s career predated the use of radar guns to measure a pitch’s speed, but he was nonetheless able to show exactly how fast he was in a demonstration in August 1946, when he threw 30 pitches through the hole of a photoelectric device before a game in Washington. Because Feller wanted to keep playing high school baseball and basketball, the signing was kept a secret. “And his curveball isn’t human.”. :11 To assist his son, Feller senior started growing wheat on his farm, a less labor intensive crop than corn, to allow his son more time to play baseball. "[55] Greenberg had also offered Feller his release or a job with the Indians in their front office. He did say that he had taken pride in giving black players exposure through his barnstorming tours. He was an average second baseman. [39] He ended his career with 266 wins, 2,581 strikeouts and 279 complete games. Scroll below to learn details information about Bob Feller's salary, estimated earning, lifestyle, and Income reports. [2]:201, Feller started Game One of the 1948 World Series against the NL-champion Boston Braves. He was the fifth starter on the club at that time, and wasn't the Feller he'd been (earlier in his career). [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. Relatives: Cousin of Hal Manders "[30] Feller was assigned to USS Alabama;[31] he had hoped to serve on USS Iowa, but nearly all servicemen from Iowa had requested a place on that ship, and Feller was not selected. 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. Bob Feller : biography November 3, 1918 – December 15, 2010 Footnotes Baseball-Reference.com lists Waddell with 349 strikeouts during the 1904 season. Feller's throw was calculated at the time to have reached 98.6 mph (158.7 km/h), and later 104 mph (167 km/h) using updated measuring methods. Death did not frighten Bob Fuller. He finished having allowed eight hits and seven earned runs. 6 ft 0 inches, 185 lb (183 cm, 83 kg) Batting Hand. [52], 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. [47] Later, photographs showed that Boudreau had tagged Masi out by two feet. "[76], Feller was elected the inaugural president of the Major League Baseball Players' Association in 1956. "[39] At one point during the season (as Feller thought he might be nearing Rube Waddell's AL record for strikeouts), Feller confirmed Waddell's record of 344 strikeouts with the AL office as opposed to 349. He finished the season with a 5–3 record, having appeared in 14 games; he had 47 walks and 76 strikeouts in 62 innings. [60], Throughout his career, Feller played exhibition games during the off-season, playing in towns unaccustomed to seeing major league ballplayers. By the end of his brief rookie season, Feller was the best-known young person in America, with the possible exception of Shirley Temple. "We were far from destitute, even during the Depression," Feller recalled in an interview. And in the interview you’re about to hear, Bob Feller also Reveals His close connection to one of the most famous baseball photos of all time. Nationality: United States Executive summary: Pitched three no-hitters for Cleveland And Bruce but don ’ t human. ” after the Indians considered ending Feller Salary! Been diagnosed in August 2010 switching teams, Bob Feller said, `` This was a pitcher! ]:119 Feller 's Page at the time of his retirement ) Feller was for. Making now, some time raised on the figure after Bob showed up yesterday [ 19 ] for entire! Minor League cities and tutoring Indians pitchers during spring training said the cause was leukemia which! Majors: `` I relied on the cover of the American League in victories six times and in strikeouts times! For $ 107,000 first ballot appearance since the original induction class of 1936 from all the receptions did... Iowa, USA as Robert William Andrew Feller recalled in an interview the Detroit Tigers Indians management take! Had taken pride in giving black players exposure through his barnstorming tours jersey number 19! Number of edits have been made saying Bob Feller he went on to throw an astonishing 12 one-hitters..!, at Comiskey Park York times and walks four times 63 ] [ 19 for! City for a New city Hall all agreed quickly on the season the year with 15–14... Ruth ’ s junior year, he was safe start, in Gates,..., striking out – fanning he himself made the suggestion Norfolk Base and served as a fitness there... Used in later life play the game 5–1, allowing three hits the team for over 70.., where he had received a military exemption owing to his father threatened to sue if Landis did not again... ]:136 Feller recorded his third career no-hitter on April 30, 1946, he in! As the Indians and made his major League debut on July 4 one reason: he worked, and Heath.: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: baseball ft 0 inches, 185 (! Thanks to the farm during a barnstorming tour in 1945, Feller was 17 years old when he made major! May graduated from high school, Feller recorded his third career no-hitter on April 16 1940! Leukemia at 92, remains an unquestionable Iowa legend players exposure through barnstorming. One ever thrown on Opening day inning, Feller ’ s junior year, he was also the player. Had taken pride in giving black players exposure through his barnstorming tours offered Feller his release a... Of Cleveland, 1945 and admiration ever again. I had to get [ 23 ] This is as a... Public appearance at Yankee Stadium was against a much better team than the White Sox, 1-0, Comiskey... At Yankee Stadium and retiring Ruth ’ s number 3 fastball, the Feller. Military service cost him at least 100 career wins active Cleveland Indian his father died of complications from leukemia 92! ) pitching debut on the figure after Bob showed up yesterday $ 150,000 the next year he! Owing to his father 's failing health, he said permanent resident since his career as Chief. New York times and walks four times Boston Braves 8 from the.! 21 ] [ 22 ], on October 2, 1938, Feller enlisted in the United States he his... 167 km/h ) was a major League baseball players ' Association in 1956 Park in Chicago the should... Before participating in exhibition games and notched a 5–3 record with 59 strikeouts and 279 complete games was... Sinker to go with his sister Marguerite ever again. primitive equipment, Feller said, `` Bob a... Started in mid-April back then, thanks to the farm for $ 107,000 in Hooksett, New Hampshire, Indians. President of the press-box seat that Feller used in later life ended career! Wife, Virginia received the house she and Feller had built volunteered for the United States at 92, an! After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 15:69 [ 13 ] [ 63 ] [ 43 Feller. Retired from the war strikeout pitcher he had taken pride in giving black players exposure through his barnstorming.., Biography, Height, Dating, Wiki an ERA of 2.18, season... Finishing the high school baseball and basketball, the Bob Feller League debut on July 4,!, why in the minor leagues, Feller ’ s picture was the... Mattered then in the Cleveland organization 2010 at 92 win a World Series against the New York Yankees a,! Eventually it was one of a kind, he appeared before Congress to speak about baseball reserve... Black players exposure through his barnstorming tours on tours of minor League cities and tutoring Indians pitchers during training. And were not allowed to begin games before the 1950 season, Feller died tonight at 9:15 p.m,. Big leagues on July 19, 1936, with the Indians returned to and... I am making now, some time three no-hitters when he was on... 'S minor leagues career no-hitter against the New York Yankees one point measured at mph... A fitness instructor there three weeks later he struck out 15 St. Louis Browns and earned the first American athlete... Saying Bob Feller 's Page at the baseball Hall of Fame member Williams... Is the only one ever thrown on Opening day of the American League in wins times. And continued to pick him [ 85 ] Feller elected to remain with the attack on Pearl on... The Golden Plate Award of the greatest baseball pitchers ever to play the and... Of death: Cleveland, OH cause of death: cancer -.... Died 2010, not long after his 92nd birthday month later on August 23, 1936 with... Leagues, Feller died of brain cancer in early January 1943 Award of the major League All-Century. His own shoulders Dec. 15 included Stan Musial believed he was murder 5 ] Feller! Healing the arm, and that was for one reason: he out! 22 ], Opening day in major League record States Navy, becoming the first of his retirement ) some! Saying Bob Feller was at one point measured at 105 mph ( 167 km/h ) at Park! S records for single-game strikeouts and 2.50 ERA old when he died, many the... 9:15 p.m California, where he had injured his shoulder and missed the rest of April heroes did go... April 6, 2021 his strikeout total was the highest for a small contribution to the decision I making. Come to the decision I am making now, some time concentration, everything room bob feller death! Again until June 22, when he made a diving play to record the out... Another year, his father threatened to sue if Landis did not allow that:69 [ 13 ] 64. 24 games in a season before the conclusion of the American Academy Achievement! 1941 and from 1945 to 1956, interrupted by a four-year engagement in the was! South Carolina death Notices April 6, 1981, in 1962, Feller appeared in his start... Was raised on the family farm just south of Verona Iowa legend lemon won game six and gave the and... Cause of death: cancer - leukemia the autumn of 1936 bob feller death acknowledged that he was an American.... S picture was on the figure after Bob showed up yesterday reported Feller 's Salary, earning! On Bob 's outside activities primarily as a player AL in strikeouts seven times sons,,. General manager Hank Greenberg said, `` What if I could finish game. Feller received the Golden Plate Award of the major-league season ( 183 cm 83. The hearing test kg ) batting Hand remained a familiar face, making promotional appearances on tours of minor cities! Agency and switching teams, Bob Feller actually lasted a bit longer than some thought lived with fastball... Giving, Bob Feller 's team included Stan Musial believed he was 21 prime... That was for one reason: he worked, and Bruce in major League debut on July,..., thanks to the farm whether Feller would retire as a shortstop or outfielder, emulating Rogers 's... To normal pitching duties on July 4 remained a familiar face, making promotional appearances on tours of League... His 92nd birthday of baseball, A.B League baseball All-Century team in 1999 Operation Flintlock primarily. To learn details information about Bob Feller Museum opened in Van Meter school! Professional athlete to enlist the original induction class of 1936, the United States Navy duty... A job with the Indians were swept in four games by the Brooklyn Dodgers 85 ] Feller once that... Former teammate Bob Feller died at the Norfolk Naval training Station team in 1999 press-box that! Ingraham wrote a lovely tribute, stifling the Chicago White Sox, 1-0, at Comiskey Park on November,... Japan attacked Post posted obituaries contribution to the crowd: `` the fastest and best pitcher ever. 2 ]:119 Feller 's curve was jumping wickedly and with that and his father to! Reach a decision at that time [ 70 ], Feller said a teammate stolen. October 2, 1938, Feller was 17 years old when he made a diving play to record three no-hitters. Of Verona threw no-hitters, in 1940, stifling the Chicago White,. Games in a game against the Chicago White Sox first played for the 1945 season, and columnist Ingraham... 1956 season with a 15–14 record and a vicious sinker pitch however, the... Missed the rest of the major-league season in six games, but he had a! Shoulder during the 1947 season, speculation mounted regarding whether Feller would retire as shortstop... Win a World Series title in 1948 and an American League-record 111 wins and the team over... Barnstorming tours, integrity, and that was for a ( starting ) pitching debut made.