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| Feller will always be Mr. Indian (Photo: Cleveland Indians) |
Feller was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in August and underwent surgery at the Cleveland Clinic to implant a pacemaker in October. In mid-November, Feller was hospitalized with pneumonia and recently was placed in hospice care.
Feller is not only one of the all time Cleveland Indian greats, he is one of the all time greats in the game. To this day many consider “Rapid Robert” the best right-handed pitcher of all time, and it is hard to debate that with his blazing fastball and amazing 18-year playing career spent only in Cleveland.
Signed by the Indians at age 17, Feller started 484 games and won 266 of them. Of those wins, 19 occurred during the 1948 season when the Indians last celebrated a World Championship. He had a lifetime ERA of 3.25, threw three no-hitters (which includes the only Opening Day no-hitter in MLB history on April 16, 1940), 12 one-hitters and 44 career shutouts. In 1946, he pitched a remarkable 36 complete games.
Feller was also a war hero who interrupted the prime of his career to serve four years in the United States Navy. A day after Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941 he enlisted in the Navy and immediately volunteered for combat service. He was the first MLB player to do so.
When Feller retired after the 1956 season he remained an ambassador to the game and helped form the Major League Baseball Players Union. He constantly maintained a presence in Greater Cleveland and frequently attended Indians games in spring training and in the regular season. As evidenced by the Bob Feller statue outside Progressive Field, no player has meant more to the Indians organization, both during and after his career, as Feller.
Details on a public memorial service will be announced in the near future. The designated charities for any monetary contributions can be made in the name of Bob Feller to Cleveland Indians Charities (www.indians.com) and the Bob Feller Museum (www.bobfellermuseum.org).
Statements from various members of the Cleveland Indians family:
Larry Dolan, Cleveland Indians owner: “Bob Feller is gone. We cannot be surprised. Yet, it seems improbable. 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. His statue at Progressive Field is an icon. No more, no less than Moses Cleveland in Public Square. To say he will be missed is such an understatement. In fact, more to the point, he will not be missed because he will always be with us. Since 1936 he has been with us. For 75 years he has been a contributing citizen, a model for all athletes, and friend of thousands. As so it shall be in the larger sense, Bob will be with us always. Not at Opening Day, not at Fantasy Camp, not in the Press Box, but in our hearts. We in Cleveland have been blessed to have had him with us these many years. We will never let his memory pass.”
Mark Shapiro, Cleveland Indians President: “Bob was that rare man, whose legend and feats were matched by his intellect, strength and substance. He was inspirational as a competitor and even more so as a man. I was privileged to have known him and each time I visited with him, he reinforced my passion for baseball and my appreciation of the Indians’ heritage.”
Mike Hargrove, former Cleveland Indians manager and player: “We have all lost a friend and the nation has lost an icon. Bob was always there with a word of advice or a story of Baseball's past. The thing is that they were always relevant and helpful. I will never forget before the first game of the ‘97 World Series, Bob came up to me and patted me on the back and told me how proud he was of me and the team, then gave me a buckeye and said it was for luck. I don't think that Bob ever believed in luck, just hard work and an honest effort. I will miss Bob very much. He was my friend.”
Charles Nagy - former Cleveland Indians coach and player: "Ever since I joined the Indians organization, it was always an honor to talk baseball with such a legend. It is very sad to lose someone that was such a Cleveland icon. We also had a connection with the University of Connecticut and I enjoyed talking Huskies basketball with him on a regular basis. He was a presence that will surely be missed."
Mike Hegan, Cleveland Indians Broadcaster and son of Feller’s battery mate Jim Hegan: "The Indians of the 40's and 50's were the face of the city of Cleveland and Bob was the face of the Indians. But, Bob transcended more than that era. In this day of free agency and switching teams, Bob Feller remained loyal to the city and the team for over 70-years. You will likely not see that kind of mutual loyalty and admiration ever again."
Rick Manning- former Cleveland Indians player and current broadcaster: “Since my days as a player in the early 70’s, over 20 Fantasy Camps and our Indians Cruises together, he was for me someone so special. He took life to the fullest. I don’t know anybody who got more out of life than Bob Feller, plus he was very privileged to spend over half of his life in the Baseball Hall of Fame. I admired, loved him and was honored to call him my friend. He will always be Cleveland and will always be Cleveland Indians. I will miss him as he is a piece of history. When you mention greatest baseball players of all-time, he has to be mentioned."
Tom Hamilton, Radio Broadcaster and “Voice of Indians”: "Bob was a living legend, but more importantly, a true American Patriot. Nothing was more important to Bob than this country and what it stands for. Of all of his accomplishments, he was most proud of the fact that he served this country with honor during World War II. But Bob always reminded us that he was no hero, the heroes were those that lost their life defending this country. I was always amazed at his incredible recall when reminiscing about his career. It was like you were back in time reliving those great moments. I feel very blessed to have known Bob these last 21 years. Bob was truly an iconic figure who always made you feel like a friend.”
Manny Acta, Cleveland Indians manager: "There has never been a great one with such an affiliation to his original franchise. When you think Cleveland Indians, you think Bob Feller and vice-versa. He was a genuine patriot and a big-time Hall of Famer. Boy, he loved the Indians and we all loved him back."
Dennis Lehman, Cleveland Indians Executive Vice President of Business: “In the short time I have known the Feller’s, my wife Ginny and I have really felt a part of their family. Many nights over the course of a summer, sitting with Bob and talking baseball, will always be a fond memory. His love of our country and passion for the game, was without question. His recall of people, places and situations, was like no one I have ever met. Image, Bob having dinner with Joe DiMaggio and his wife Marilyn Monroe, and he could describe the meal conversation. He was an amazing, engaging person, who was willing to share his thoughts and opinions to all and took the time to spend with so many of us in this community. I will miss him very much.”
Bob DiBiasio, Cleveland Indians Vice President of Public Relations: “Bob Feller loved the Cleveland Indians. It is the ultimate American success story. Consider how a five-ounce baseball provided an Iowa farm boy the opportunity to travel the world as he became perhaps the greatest ambassador baseball has ever known. I had the privilege of working alongside him for more than 30 years and he taught me as much about the game of baseball as he did life. I will miss his friendship.”
- quotes courtesy of the Cleveland Indians
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