"Rapid Robert" - Bob Feller
Right-handed Pitcher; Cleveland Indians
1936-1956
 The
symbol of baseball excellence; Bob Feller became a legend
in his time. His rapid fastball was said "to be
faster than anyone else in the history of baseball."
Cleveland Indians' Manager Steve O'Neill remembered,"
Rapid Robert's" first appearance in Cleveland's old League
Park. Playing in an exhibition game versus the St. Louis
Cardinals, O'Neill, a former catcher, decided to catch Feller
personally and have him pitch the middle three innings. "The
first batter was thrown out trying to bunt, Feller's other
eight (8) outs were all strikeouts. "Cardinal hitter,
Leo Durocher took two strikes and threw his bat on the grounds".
Durocher roared "this kid looks at third base and stuffs
the ball down your throat." In a major league start in
1936, Feller struck out 15 St. Louis Browns. Later that same
year he got 17 strikeouts versus the Philadelphia Athletics,
tying a major league record. In 1940, Bob Feller was 27-11,
ERA of 2.61, including 4 shutouts and racked up four (4) saves.
"Rapid Robert" Feller was rising to become
one of baseballs' greatest pitchers.
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Bob Feller Legends (Page 2)
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