I was looking for a computer disc to my digital tape recorder this morning. I recently got a new computer and was unable to find the software that would allow me to put up the audio interviews and update the podcasts when I came across a review I did on Bob Feller: Ace of the Greatest Generation
Since the baseball world is till in mourning, I thought it appropriate to post here, FYI (opens as a PDF file).
By the way, here‘s an “appraisal” published in yesterday’s New York Times by Malcolm Moran is the director of the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State. I find the use of that particular word interesting: not “appreciation,” not “consideration,” but “appraisal.” Some readers might not find it too complimentary, as it depicts Feller as a self-promoter. In fact, to be honest, and not to speak ill of the dead, but I frequently got the feeling that whenever he talked about proudly serving his country during WWII, it came with a bitterness over the time he lost on the field.
Moran writes about a trip he took with Feller and his wife 25 years ago:
In [Feller’s] briefcase, a piece of paper held calculations in the event that his lost seasons could have been restored. The total of 266 career victories became 357. The 2,581 strikeouts became 3,516. The 44 shutouts became 65. The 279 complete games became 378. At the top of the page, a premise was written in red felt-tip pen:
WHAT IF NO WARS.
And when comparing himself with other players, Feller seemed less than generous. Could just be me and my interpretations. Again, Moran writes:
In 1939, at the age of 20 years 10 months 5 days, Feller became the youngest major league pitcher to win 20 games. In that summer of 1985, Gooden’s 20th victory with the Mets had come at the age of 20 years 9 months 9 days.
“He’ll never complete 36 games in a season,” Feller said. “They don’t pitch him enough. He gets four days’ rest between starts. I only got three.”
When Gooden’s entrance to Cooperstown appeared to be a matter of time, the assessment sounded harsh enough for the fan to appear surprised. “He’s a heck of a good pitcher,” Feller said, and smiled. “I’m only kidding you, son.”
He was kidding to a point. “He’s got a great arm,” Feller said of Gooden afterward. “But what should they do, put him in the Hall of Fame tomorrow? Are you kidding?”
is available on Amazon.com,
{ 2 comments }
It’s always hard to watch someone who was great wish that his greatness was unpassable (palpable hubris applies), but DiMaggio’s greatness, too, has always been calculated alongside a “what if no wars” stats model. Feller applied the model to himself. He was great; just great. It’s enough.
And, of course, the same could be said for Ted Williams, who served in TWO wars, and Hank Greenberg, who lost virtually 4.5 seasons. Not to mention Warren Spahn, who might have won 400 games if not for time lost.
Comments on this entry are closed.