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Bob "Rapid Robert" Feller was
born November 13, 1918 in Van Meter, Iowa. During his
18 years pitching for the Cleveland Indians, Feller
won 266 games, with a career high of 27 wins in 1940.
He won 20 or more games six times, and led the American
League in wins six seasons. Nicknamed "Rapid Robert"
for his outstanding fastball, Bob struckout 2,581 batters
during his career. Bob continued setting records until
he enlisted in the Navy shortly after the attack on
Pearl Harbor. For most of the 44 months he spent in
the Navy, Bob was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Alabama
in the gunnery department where he earned eight Battle
Stars. One year after his return to Major League action,
in 1946, he registered an incredible 348 strikeouts
while pitching in 48 games, starting 42 of those games.
That year Bob was 26-15 with an era of 2.18 while pitching
36 complete games. He led the American League in strikeouts
seven times and had 200 or more strikeouts five times.
Bob pitched in 570 games during his career, and pitched
in 40 or more games six seasons. Bob also threw three
no-hit games inlcuding the only opening day no-hitter
in baseball history in 1940. He had 46 shutouts during
his career with 10 of those in 1946. For his outstanding
accomplishments, Bob was inducted into the Baseball
Hall of Fame in 1962 and played in the 1948 World Series.
Quick facts:
- The first American Legion grad player
to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame.
- He was signed to the Cleveland Indians,
where he spent his whole career, at the age of 16.
He was that good.
- First major leaguer to volunteer for
active duty in World War Two.
- After leaving baseball he stayed active
in promoting the game by celebrity appearances. At
83 he still does. Most recently he threw out the first
pitch at a Iowa Baseball League youth tournament in
July 2002.
- In 1995 Van Meter, Iowa opened up the
Bob Feller Museum for their native son.
- Today Bob lives with his wife in Gate
Mills, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio.
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