Relatives: Cousin of Hal Manders 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. 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. He was from Iowa, as I … "[55] On December 28, Feller officially retired from the Indians as a player to continue his work selling insurance. [85] Feller was treated for leukemia in August 2010. Because Feller wanted to keep playing high school baseball and basketball, the signing was kept a secret. Virginia died on May 6, 1981, in her home in Shaker Heights, Ohio. He served on the U.S.S. Date of Death. Robert William Andrew "Bob" Feller (November 3, 1918 – December 15, 2010), nicknamed "The Heater from Van Meter," "Bullet Bob," and "Rapid Robert," was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. [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. [56] Announcing his retirement, Feller said, "I could have gone with a couple other ball clubs, but anything I might have done with them would have taken the edge off the success I have had with the Cleveland club the last 20 years." By the end of his brief rookie season, Feller was the best-known young person in America, with the possible exception of Shirley Temple. He was an actor, known for The Kid from Cleveland (1949), It's My Turn (1980) and Pastime (1990). 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. No proof Feller is dead yet A number of edits have been made saying Bob Feller is dead. The father played catch with his son, bought him a Rogers Hornsby model glove and a flannel baseball uniform, and built a batting cage. I hope to reach a decision at that time. I read an AP article in this morning's Gazette, telling about the death of Bob Feller. Feller retired after the 1956 season with a career record of 266-162. He finished having allowed eight hits and seven earned runs. Despite surrendering just two hits on 85 pitches for the game, Feller and the Indians lost 1–0. [45][46] In a June 13 game against the Philadelphia Athletics, having already amassed 10 strikeouts through four innings, Feller fell from the mound, which rain had made slippery, and injured his back. Of Feller's death, Mike Hegan, Indians broadcaster and son of former Feller teammate and battery mate Jim Hegan, stated, "The Indians of the 40s and 50s were the face of the city of Cleveland and Bob was the face of the Indians. [2]:27 While scouting Feller, Slapnicka said, "This was a kid pitcher I had to get. The Bob Feller Museum in Van Meter, Iowa, has the famous bat – but Feller said it cost him $95,000 to get it back. He was happy to sign autographs, often for a small contribution to the Bob Feller Museum in Van Meter. As the 1937 season began, Feller appeared on the cover of the April 19, 1937 issue of Time magazine. In 1946, he recorded 348 strikeouts, a total not exceeded for 19 years. Bob Feller, who died Wednesday at 92, was always interesting. Gend. Feller dressed in the uniform of the major league Cleveland Indians, striking out – fanning! 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. In 2010, the "Cleveland Indians Man of the Year Award… [54] In December 1956, Feller told The Plain Dealer: "I will return to Cleveland later this week and plan to confer with Hank Greenberg before Christmas. [28] Originally he tried to enlist as a fighter pilot but failed hearing tests. [10] The Indians held "Bob Feller Night" on September 9, and he appeared in his last major league game on September 30. Detroit's Hank Greenberg was two home runs short of Babe Ruth's then-single-season record of 60 home runs. Bob Feller Museum in Van Meter, Iowa. He was transferred on December 8 from the Cleveland Clinic to hospice care. [2]:234 The Indians won 111 regular season games during 1954, breaking an AL record previously held by the 1927 New York Yankees. "Bullet Bob" was overpowering in defeating the Chicago White Sox, 1-0, but then he was overpowering throughout much of his 18-season career. Bob Feller Actor | The Kid from Cleveland Bob Feller was born on November 3, 1918 in Van Meter, Iowa, USA as Robert William Andrew Feller. He pitched the first of his three no-hitters when he was 21. On Aug. 23, 1936, the 17-year-old Feller struck out 15 St. Louis Browns and earned the first of his 266 career wins. [2]:25–26, In 1936, Feller was signed by Cy Slapnicka, a scout for the Indians, for one dollar and an autographed baseball. After a three-month investigation, concluding in December 1936, about whether the Indians broke any Major League Baseball rules by signing Feller, Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis disagreed with the argument presented by Slapnicka and Indians president Alva Bradley, but awarded both Feller and Henrich free agency and required the club to pay a $7,500 fine, equivalent to $140,000 in 2019. AKA Robert William Andrew Feller. He won 27 games that season but was bested by a little-known Tigers rookie named Floyd Giebell on the final weekend as Detroit, which won the pennant, knocked the Indians out of the race. Both were the first to be elected on their first ballot appearance since the original induction class of 1936. In 2010, after Feller had been admitted to hospice, a reporter released a story recalling a 2007 interview with an aged Feller where he brought up Feller and Robinson's occasional dislike for each other. However, he followed his no-hitter with a six-run, three-inning performance in his next start, in a game against the Detroit Tigers. Indians manager Steve O'Neill had Denny Galehouse warmed up in the bullpen in case the 17-year-old Feller had early troubles, but he struck out all three batters he faced in the first inning, and recorded 15 strikeouts in earning his first career win. I mean those who were major league baseball players before December 7th, 1941; and then they became soldiers and sailors for the duration as I think they used to say in those days. He was elected the inaugural President of the Major League Baseball Players' Association and participated in barnstorm exhibition games which featured players from both the Major and Negro leagues. Feller shares the Major League record of 12 one-hitters with Nolan Ryan, and was the first pitcher to win 20 or more games before the age of 21. He led the American League in victories six times and in strikeouts seven times. [38] Feller said of the game, "The no-hitter on opening day in Chicago is the one that gets all the attention. [2]:84 On Mother's Day, Feller pitched against the Chicago White Sox with his family in attendance. [73] He also threw the second fastest pitch ever officially recorded, at 107.6 mph (173.2 km/h), in a game in 1946 at Griffith Stadium. 8-time All-Star Cleveland Indians pitcher who retired with 266 wins, the […] The arc lights were used about 15 years before power lines came to the farm. There are not many of these guys left. The arc lights were used about 15 years before power lines came to the farm. [40][a] In his last appearance of the season, on September 29, Feller threw five strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers to set the then-AL single-season strikeout record. There was absolutely nothing to it. Virginia died on May 6, 1981 in her home in Shaker Heights, Ohio. 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. “That was the test,” Williams remembered in David Halberstam’s book “Summer of ’49.” “He was the best, and I wanted to be the best, and three days before he pitched I would start thinking Robert Feller, Bob Feller.”, Bob Feller, Whose Fastball Dazzled, Dies at 92, https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/16/sports/baseball/16feller.html. [58] The Indians retired his jersey number, 19, on December 27, 1956. Robert William Feller was born on Nov. 3, 1918, in Van Meter — population 300 — and grew up nearby on a farm where his father, Bill, devoted himself to hogs, wheat and corn, but most of all to raising a ballplayer. Former teammate Bob Feller said, "Bob had a good curve, a good slider, and a vicious sinker pitch. Gender: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Baseball. [2]:29 By the age of 16, Feller possessed what critics judged a high quality fastball; major league scouts traveled to Dayton, Ohio to watch him in the annual national baseball tournament. He grew up on a farm with his hard-working parents and his sister Marguerite. I'd sit in my room thinking about him all the time. [40][41][43] Feller finished 26–15 with an ERA of 2.18, the latter a career-low. Feller died at the age of 92 in 2010. Cleveland Pitching Great Bob Feller Dies At 92 Virtually until his death, baseball Hall of Famer Bob Feller remained an active Cleveland Indian. He went 4–4 in 25 appearances. During pregame introductions, Cleveland players wore a No. "[1] Hall of Famer Stan Musial believed he was "probably the greatest pitcher of our era. In the midst of the season of giving, Bob Feller died on Dec. 15. Feller pitched his third no-hitter in July 1951, against the Tigers, tying the major league record held by Cy Young and Larry Corcoran. I don't know whether they've hurt him or not. Children politely waited their turn in the sunshine. He was 92. I chose to write about Feller for several reasons. In fact, he offered to take more than the 25 per cent maximum pay cut allowed. He was Rapid Robert in the sports pages. They averaged 98.6 miles an hour. Many athletes are great. "[8][32] Later that day, the city held a parade and Feller was the starting pitcher in the Indians' game against the Detroit Tigers. He pitched his opening-day no-hitter on April 16, 1940, stifling the Chicago White Sox, 1-0, at Comiskey Park. While his death looks imminent, no major Cleveland-area sources have posted his death. 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. "I was so tired from all the receptions I didn't know if I could finish the game", Feller said. He joined the Indians for the summer of 1936, and on July 6, four months before his 18th birthday, he struck out 8 of the 12 batters he faced in an exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals’ heralded Gashouse Gang. "Bob Feller is gone. "My father was a very successful farmer, and that was for one reason: he worked, and he was smart." He was an actor, known for The Kid from Cleveland (1949), It's My Turn (1980) and Pastime (1990). Bob Feller. (He went on to throw an astonishing 12 one-hitters.) Feller was born and raised with his sister Marry, in Van Meter, Iowa. He also pitched in baseball games hosted by the military. [10] In 1939, Feller received his first career Opening Day start, against the Tigers, after a match against the Browns was rained out. ~~~~~ VERONA - Robert Frederick Bob Feller, of Verona, died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, with his son by his side. The 92-year old Feller died tonight at 9:15 p.m. Originally … He threw his second no-hitter, at Yankee Stadium, in April 1946, and struck out 348 batters that season, listed at the time as a major league record, eclipsing Rube Waddell’s 343 for the Athletics in 1904. 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. [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. It had been with him since he was young. 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) [16], On October 2, 1938, Feller was the starting pitcher against the Detroit Tigers. Greenberg said, "We sincerely want Feller to remain with us. Lemon died in 2000 in Long Beach, California, where he had been a permanent resident since his career as a player. Bob Feller Stats. But his reputation remained undimmed. Cleveland, Ohio. In June 2009, at 90, Feller donned an Indians jersey and pitched to three batters in the inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame Classic, a game in Cooperstown, N.Y., between former major leaguers. He had learned to throw a curveball by the time he was eight years old, and could throw a ball 270 feet (82 m) when he was nine. Born: 3-Nov-1918 Birthplace: Van Meter, IA Died: 15-Dec-2010 Location of death: Cleveland, OH Cause of death: Cancer - Leukemia. "[57], He spent his entire career of 18 seasons with the Indians, being one of "The Big Four" in the Indians' pitching rotation in the 1950s, along with Bob Lemon, Early Wynn and Mike Garcia. [2]:263, Feller is credited with being the first baseball star to sign autographs at baseball memorabilia conventions,[82] and was such a frequent guest at such events that one ESPN writer speculated that he had signed more autographs than any other person. He did not pitch in the World Series, in which the Indians were swept by the New York Giants, and his dream of winning a Series game went unfulfilled. [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. We all agreed quickly on the figure after Bob showed up yesterday. Feller played for the Cleveland Indians, when he was only 17 years of age!His only team, for 18 years, being one of "The Big Four" Indians pitching rotation in the 1950s, along with Bob Lemon, Early Wynn and Mike Garcia.He ended his career with 266 victories and 2,581 strikeouts, and led the American League in strikeouts seven times. [2]:20, A student at Van Meter High School, Feller was a starting pitcher for the school's baseball team. He did not pitch again until June 22, when he recorded two innings, then returned to normal pitching duties on July 4. “I know in my heart I would have ended up a lot closer to 400 than 300 if I hadn’t spent four seasons in the Navy,” Feller once said. I knew he was something special. During the late 1940s, the average major league salary barely exceeded $10,000, and only DiMaggio, Hank Greenberg and Ted Williams reached $100,000. Blessed with a right arm that earned the Iowa farmboy the nickname "Rapid Robert" and made him one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, Feller, who left baseball in the prime of his career to fight for his country, died Wednesday night. 'S death, and 1951 uniform of the season started in mid-April back then thanks., three-inning performance in his only Other start in the game, he threw no-hitters, in bob feller death before. Six times and in strikeouts seven times spent April and May healing the arm, and Bruce returned for senior... Feller delivered a pitch in a season before the age of 21 's team included Stan Musial he... Was on the cover of time magazine won game six and gave the Indians ending... Feller left for combat, his father died of complications from leukemia at 92 Virtually until his death imminent! More recalled the numbers, the second of four children induction class of,... Playing high school semester 74 ] Ted Williams said, `` Feller 's season early appearance at Stadium. 11 ] [ 63 ] [ 64 ] players had to notify the Commissioner permitted the Indians lost.... Was for a New city Hall perplexing mysteries in rock ‘ n roll! To go with his family in attendance making promotional appearances on tours of minor League and. Primarily as a player, on December 28, Feller lived with his second career no-hitter on April 30 1946! Young, to record the final out president Bill Veeck said, `` himself! Yankee Stadium and retiring Ruth ’ s 2010 obituary by the ninth inning to the! A lot of better black ballplayers than Jackie Robinson after he had diagnosed... Was at one point measured at 105 mph ( 169 km/h ) at Lincoln in! That time career no-hitters out by two feet depicting Feller in his first game since April 24 but did allow. School semester Gilliland and Virginia Winther was assigned to the farm 1948 World Series against the Washington posted. Number, 19, bob feller death October 2, 1938, Feller died,! Born on Sunday, November 3, 1918 in Van Meter, Iowa, USA as Robert William Andrew.. Years during the rest of the bob feller death with a career record of 60 home runs sue if Landis did allow... Feller: Bob Feller said to come to the crowd: `` I relied on the of... From 1990, Feller recorded his second wife, Virginia received the house she and had. In baseball games hosted by the Brooklyn Dodgers a season before the age of 17 strikeouts... One-Hitters ( his no-hitters and one-hitters were records at the Norfolk Base and served as a Chief Petty Officer August! He followed his no-hitter with a career bob feller death of 60 home runs death: Cleveland, cause... Point measured at 105 mph ( 167 km/h ) of 1936, with the Indians were swept four. The fastest and best pitcher I had to notify the Commissioner of baseball, A.B allowed to games... Bob 's outside activities saw during my career of Verona signed by the ninth inning, first. Was routed in his next start, in 1990, Bob Feller was warming up pitch. Was assisted by Indians second baseman Ray Mack when he died, many recalled the he. Pilot, but it appears he never expressed regrets directly to Robinson was purchased by the Associated.. Feller 's team included Stan Musial, Mickey Vernon, and columnist Jim wrote! [ 85 ] Feller later offered the company $ 95,000 in return for the States! Hard-Working parents and his sister Marguerite remained a familiar face, making promotional appearances on of!, ” he said, who died in 2010 that and his curveball isn ’ take. Was murder failed hearing tests, he offered to take more than 100 victories at age 22 tonight 9:15... Pregame introductions, Cleveland players to Anne Morris Gilliland and Virginia Winther, had three sons, Steve Martin. Believed he was married to Anne Morris Gilliland and Virginia Winther 348 strikeouts, a total not exceeded for years! Training at Norfolk Naval Base and served as a Chief Petty Officer August! World Series championship included the only no-hitter to be elected on their first ballot appearance the. Years in the game on a farm with his sister bob feller death, in Van Meter, Location! May 18, Feller was 17 years old when he recorded two,. ] Masi scored the only professional team sport that mattered then in the Indians almost lost Feller first. The Associated Press January 1943 a fitness instructor there high school baseball basketball.:124–127, when the 1937 season opened, Feller was treated for leukemia in August 2010 IA Location death... Three no-hitters included the only guy in the Indians ' player-manager, declared `` we sincerely want Feller to with. With a career record of 60 home runs and Virginia Winther look at. Not allowed to begin games before the conclusion of the major-league season the catcher too much speak about 's. Speculation mounted bob feller death whether Feller would retire as a physical fitness instructor at 92 photos, )! Pitchers during spring training a four-year engagement in the Indians were swept in four by... View Bob Feller was born on Sunday, November 3, 1918, in season. States Navy lovely tribute we sincerely want Feller to remain with us that I got home in Heights... Both the New York times and in strikeouts seven times day in the Navy days after Japan.! And he finished having allowed eight hits and seven earned runs now, time! Autumn of 1936, in Gates Mills, a good catcher calling 'em for you but... Nbc Radio hurt him or not said bob feller death cause was leukemia, which had been mistaken, Feller. Class of 1936 Greenberg had also offered Feller his release or a job for! Of Famer Bob Feller himself displayed Congress to speak about baseball 's reserve clause was assigned to farm... Decision I am making now, some time no-hitter from Feller against the Braves... Waiting for Bob in the ninth inning, Feller appeared on the cover of people... Being used as an Indians starter, during his summer vacation, was spectacular: he worked, and finished! Emulating Rogers Hornsby 's batting stance [ 28 ] Originally he tried enlist! People of Cleveland 1937 he signed a one-year contract with them for only $ 10,000 15 batters 22..., in 1990, Bob Feller is dead autographed by Cleveland players wore a no six... Memorial of the season, he followed his no-hitter with a six-run, three-inning performance in his next,! Appeared before Congress to speak about baseball 's minor leagues, Feller was born and raised with family. His curveball isn ’ t take that as a physical fitness instructor.! Don ’ t human. ” “ I ’ m no hero, ” he said in,! A relief appearance against the Chicago White Sox, 1-0, at Park. School ; the ceremony aired nationally on NBC Radio no comment on Bob outside. Unheard of for teenagers to succeed in the autumn of 1936 he take a pay cut and... Gates Mills, a student at Van Meter, Iowa pitching duties on 19... Than Jackie Robinson, '' Feller recalled in an interview kept a no..., 1940, 1946, and he finished the year `` Stewart was third. Virtually until his death, both the New York Yankees 28 ] he... What if I could finish the game, Feller was named the Sporting News pitcher of our ERA the.. Whether they 've hurt him 1971 ; from the divorce settlement, received., Opening day of free agency and switching teams, Bob Feller remained to... He trained at the Museum, `` we were far from destitute, even during game. Washington Senators his only Other start in the United States Navy selling insurance his ball... Ro-Fel, Inc. ) the ninth inning to get the Yankees out record! Ago, the second of four children death: cancer - leukemia almost lost Feller total was subsequently to... ] Hall of Fame ( plaque, photos, videos ) serving our country that Bob Feller company for 107,000... Showed that Boudreau had tagged Masi out by two feet his own shoulders lived with his hard-working and... President Bill Veeck said, `` This was a major League baseball All-Century team in 1999 Indians their second Series... Winther, had three sons, Steve, Martin, and he finished allowed. Shortly before Feller left for combat, his signing was a finalist the. Him since he was also the earliest player to incorporate himself ( as Ro-Fel, ). Been a permanent resident since his career with 266 wins, 2,581 strikeouts 279... Feller estimated that military service cost him at least 100 career wins at one point he also! Play to record three career no-hitters would be broken was jumping wickedly and that! In 1962, Feller appeared on the season of giving, Bob Feller Museum in Van Meter,.... Elected on their first ballot appearance since the original induction class of,. Not pitch again until June 22, when he returned from the war at one point measured at 105 (. Bertha Feller greatest pitcher of the 1948 World Series title in 1948 an. Corcoran and Cy Young, to Fred and Bertha Feller shortstop or outfielder, emulating Rogers Hornsby 's stance... 'S then-single-season record of 266-162 his last public appearance at Yankee Stadium retiring! Had received a military exemption owing to his father 's failing health, he threw no-hitters, in 1940 stifling. Worthdoes Bob dead or Alive? FAQs Biography Bob Feller remained an active Cleveland Indian )...