OUR MUSEUM IN ACTION
BOB FELLER ARM WARMER
You can honor one of baseball’s greatest pitchers by helping fund the work that will preserve this symbol of excellence for today’s generation and the next.
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Bob Feller began his major league journey in 1936, at age 17, fresh off his family's farm in Van Meter, Iowa. It was during his rookie season that Feller earned the nickname "Rapid Robert" because of his devastating fastball and high strikeout totals.
In his first six seasons, Feller tallied more than 1,200 strikeouts and 107 wins by the time he was 22. Then, just days after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor, Feller set aside his draft deferment status and enlisted tin the United States Navy. With this selfless act, he gave up nearly four seasons in the prime of his career.
Feller is one of 70 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum to interrupt their careers to serve in the American military. After three-and-a-half seasons away with the US Navy during World War II, he would return to Cleveland for nine games to end of the 1945 season.
It wouldn't take long for him to get back to top form: In his first game back, Feller struck out 12 batters in a complete-game shutout of the Detroit Tigers. The following year, he would lead the league in several categories including wins (26), games pitched and games started (48, 42), complete games and shutouts (36, 10), innings pitched (371.1) and strikeouts (348). His first full season in four years saw a career-best 2.18 ERA, and he claimed his fifth of eight career All-Star selections.
Feller would play all of his 18 seasons with Cleveland, finishing with with 266 wins and 2,581 strikeouts. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1962.
Prior to his service during World War II, Feller used this arm-warming sleeve to keep his right arm ready to face the game's best hitters. Made by Feller's mother, Lena, in 1934 and fashioned from a pair of long johns, this piece of homemade equipment precedes the modern era of flamethrowers sporting compression sleeves that improve circulation, muscle stability and recovery.
Today, Feller's arm warmer is in need of critical care. By making a contribution to this Our Museum in Action Project, you ensure that this artifact will continue to share the story of one of baseball's greatest pitchers with the next generation of fans.