Feller completes his career with complete game
Of the 484 games Bob Feller started in the big leagues, more than 57 percent required no relief pitcher from the Cleveland Indians.
So when Feller went to the mound for the final time, he made sure to go the distance.
On Sept. 30, 1956, Feller started Cleveland’s final game of the season – a Sunday afternoon contest at Cleveland Stadium against the Detroit Tigers. The Yankees had already wrapped up the American League pennant, so only pride was at stake.
But it was already well known that Feller was going to request his release from the Indians following the season, with his future plans unclear.
“I know they don’t want me on the team another year,” Feller told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “And I doubt that there’s any job in the front office that will interest me.”
Feller, who was 37 that season, had pitched in only 18 games before the finale due to injuries. He gave up a home run to the second Detroit batter of the game – Wayne Belardi – before holding the Tigers scoreless in each of the next two frames.
But Detroit scored three runs in the fourth and tacked on four more in the sixth, taking an 8-2 lead and effectively putting the game out of reach. Feller, however, pressed on and allowed only two more baserunners over the final three innings.
When he induced Bill Tuttle to ground out to short in the top of the ninth, he walked off the mound for the final time – with the 5,910 fans in attendance having witnessed his 279th complete game.
Among pitchers who worked in the 1950s or later, only Warren Spahn, Robin Roberts, Gaylord Perry and Early Wynn compiled more complete games.
Feller’s final game, however, reflected his waning fastball – which once dominated big league hitters. Over his nine innings against the Tigers, Feller allowed 14 hits and did not strike out a batter. It marked just the second complete game and only the fifth start of his career where he worked at least five innings and did not record a strikeout.
“I’ve had better stuff,” Feller told the Plain Dealer. “But my arm felt good and I didn’t tire.
“I’m not convinced yet that I’m all through.”
But three months later, Feller made his retirement official. He finished his career with a 266-162 record, 3.25 ERA and 2,581 strikeouts over 18 seasons, missing three-and-a-half prime years while he served in the Navy during World War II.
“It’s a tough decision to make,” Cleveland coach Mel Harder, who pitched 20 seasons with the Indians, told the Plain Dealer about Feller’s retirement. “But I think he made the right one and I doubt that he’ll ever regret it.
“I can understand why he wants out altogether. He was such a great competitor that he probably didn’t like the thought of being on the sidelines.”
Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
