Bob Feller one of the greatest pitchers in Major League Baseball history

On My Walk in Gates Mills, Ohio — Honouring the Greatest Cleveland Pitcher, Bob Feller

In a quiet, well-maintained cemetery perched on a gentle hill in Gates Mills North Cemetery, just a stone’s throw from where he once lived, I discovered the grave of one of baseball’s all-time greats — Bob Feller.

With two old baseballs in hand, I placed them on his grave to pay homage to a man whose blazing fastball was once measured at an astonishing 107 mph by today’s standards — a testament to his legendary arm strength.

Like many athletes of his era, Bob was born on a farm in Iowa. His childhood chores — milking cows and lifting heavy hay bales — forged the strength and endurance that would fuel his pitching prowess. Signed directly by the Cleveland Indians in 1937, he bypassed the minors entirely, a born major leaguer destined for greatness.

Bob’s career was briefly paused by service to his country during World War II, where he served as a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy. Upon returning to Cleveland, he resumed his dominance on the mound, helping lead the Indians to a World Series victory in 1948. That historic team featured the first Black player in the American League, Larry Doby, alongside legendary pitcher Satchel Paige.

Satchel Page with the first Black player to play in the American League, Larry Doby.

Over a stellar career that spanned two decades, Feller won 266 games, threw three no-hitters, and racked up 2,581 strikeouts — all wearing the beloved Cleveland Indians uniform. For his extraordinary achievements, Bob Feller was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1962.

Robert William Andrew Feller died in Cleveland on December 15, 2010. He was 92.

1918-2010