bob feller passed last night at the age of 92. was the oldest living hall of fame baseball player. a true legend. in america, these words get abused. this man lived the dream. signed to a major league baseball contract with the cleveland indians at 16. struck out 15 batters (two short of the record at the time) a year later in his professional debut. the first pitcher to win 20 games in a season before 21 years old. pitched three no-hitters and 12 one-hitters. feller was a once in a lifetime prodigal talent. fiercely proud. outspoken. a great storyteller.
the day after the bombing of pearl harbor, feller was the first major league baseball player to enlist in the war. sacrificed four of his prime years to serving his country in the navy. earned several commendations and medals yet never once accepted the title of hero.
feller never believed in luck. there was hard work and an honest effort. once was filmed throwing a baseball faster than a speeding motorcyclist. reportedly measured at 107.6 mph. the fastest pitch ever thrown. where did he cultivate this amazing strength? milking cows. picking corn. baling hay. that’s what he offered.
feller criticized contemporary ballplayers, calling the majority of them spoiled and negligent of their craft. he poignantly recalled the following: “my father kept me busy from dawn to dusk when I was a kid…when i wasn’t pitching hay, hauling corn or running a tractor, i was heaving a baseball into his mitt behind the barn. i couldn’t repay my debt to him, but i wanted to pass along the thought that if all the parents in the country followed his rule, juvenile delinquency would be cut in half in a year’s time.”
larry dolan, owner of the cleveland indians, shared this of his team’s greatest brand and icon: “bob has been such an integral part of our fabric, so much more than an ex-ballplayer, so much more than any cleveland indians player. he is cleveland, ohio.”
unlimited bullpens from here, rapid robert. fire up the wing. pitch on.
