A prodigy who bypassed the minor leagues, Feller first played for the Cleveland Indians at the age of 17, and played for 18 seasons in total, all with Cleveland. His career was interrupted by four years military service in World War II during which he served as Chief Petty Officer aboard the USS Alabama. Feller became the first pitcher to win 24 games in a season before the age of 21. During his career he threw no-hitters in 1940, 1946, and 1951. Feller also recorded 12 one-hitters (his no-hitters and one-hitters were records at the time of his retirement). He helped the Indians win a World Series title in 1948 and an American League-record 111 wins and the pennant in 1954.
Feller led the American League in wins six times and strikeouts in seven seasons. In 1946, he recorded 348 strikeouts, a total not bettered for 27 years. An eight-time All-Star, Feller was ranked 36th on Sporting News's list of the 100 Greatest baseball Players and also the publication's "greatest pitcher of his time" as well as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999.
Baseball Hall of Fame member Ted Williams called Feller "the fastest and best pitcher I ever saw during my career." Hall of Famer Stan Musial believed he was "probably the greatest pitcher of our era." He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 on his first ballot appearance; at the time only three players ever had a higher percentage of ballot votes. He was elected the inaugural President of the Major League Baseball Players' Association and participated in exhibition games which featured players from both the Major and Negro Leagues. Feller died at the age of 92 in 2010.
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