DATE: 1936 ORIGINAL or REPRINT: Type 2 Original - Printed from the original negative, but in a later period TEAM: Cleveland Indians SUBJECT: Bob Feller PHOTOGRAPHER: George Burke APPROXIMATE SIZE: 3-1/2"x5-1/2" MARKS / STAMPING: Handwritten identification of photo's subject. Has standard postcard back but remains postally unused. NUMBER OF PHOTOS: 1 COMMENTS / CONDITION: Offered is an approximately 3-1/2"x5-1/2" real photo postcard of Bob Feller, pictured in his Cleveland Indians uniform circa 1936. The original photo was taken by George Burke in 1936, but this card was produced some time later (no earlier than the 1950's judging by the standard Kodak back). Comes from a large collection of such postcards that we will be listing over the coming months, all having standard postcard backs but being postally unused. Wear on these, if any, is mostly confined to minor corner and edge wear, but see scans for further details including condition. We do not deal in stock images or modern reprints, and all scans shown are of the actual item being sold. If you have any questions about a particular piece, please ask before the auction ends. BIO: Robert William Andrew Feller (Rapid Robert) was born in 98 in Van Meter, IA and died in 200 in Cleveland, OH. He played major league baseball from 936 to 956 as pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, appeared in the 948 World Series, was selected 8 times as an All-Star, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 962. Feller was raised in the small town of Van Meter, Iowa, located west of Des Moines, hence his latter nickname "The Van Meter Heater." Feller was the first pitcher to win 20 or more games before the age of 2. When he was 7 years of age, he struck out 7 batters; he and Kerry Wood are the only two players ever to strike out their age (Wood struck out 20 on May 6, 998). On Opening Day in the 940 season, Feller pitched a no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox, with the help of a diving play on the final out by second baseman, Ray Mack. As of 2008, this is the only no-hitter to be thrown on Opening Day. On December 8, 94 Feller, enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service in World War II, being decorated with five campaign ribbons and eight battle stars. Many baseball historians have speculated that Feller would have won perhaps 350 games with well over 3,000 strikeouts had he not joined the military. He was honored as "The greatest pitcher of his time" by the Sporting News. SKU: GB10730
Item: GB10730
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