[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16230]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING BOB FELLER

  Mr HARKIN. Mr. President, I rise today in support of Senate 
Concurrent Resolution 110, sponsored by my friend, the senior Senator 
from Ohio, which honors an American hero, Iowa's own Bob Feller.
  Robert William Andrew Feller, better known to baseball fans as 
``Bullet Bob'' or ``Rapid Robert,'' will forever be recognized for his 
talent, courage, and heart. Throughout his life, Feller has achieved 
tremendous success. Born on a farm in Van Meter, Iowa, in 1918, Feller 
began his baseball career playing American Legion, amateur and semi-pro 
baseball on fields across the State.
  He signed a contract to pitch for the Cleveland Indians in 1935 at 
the age 16. In his first major league start in 1936 he struck out 15 
batters, showing the entire league that he was not just a kid but a 
true talent that could play with the big names. As anticipated by 
fellow coaches, players, and fans, Feller only progressed. He was the 
first pitcher to win 20 or more games by the age of 21 and pitched the 
only opening day no-hitter in major league baseball history. At the 
height of his astounding career, Feller put his loyalty to his country 
above all and enlisted in the U.S. Navy 2 days after the Japanese 
attack on Pearl Harbor. While putting his big-time baseball career on 
hold and valiantly serving in the Armed Forces for nearly 4 years, 
Feller earned eight battle stars working primarily aboard the USS 
Alabama in the gunnery department.
  After being discharged, Feller was ready to go back to the game he 
loved. Having not played for 4 years, there was much speculation that 
he would not be the recordbreaking pitcher he once was. That year, he 
proved they were wrong. His 1946 season was the most successful of 
Feller's career. Throwing pitches clocked as fast as 109 miles per 
hour, Feller completed 36 of the 42 games he started while compiling a 
2.18 earned run average. He also pitched his second career no-hitter 
against the New York Yankees, pitched a shutout victory for the 
American League in the All Star Game, and, for good measure, saved four 
out of six games in relief for the Indians. Feller overwhelmingly led 
the American League that year in wins, shutouts, strikeouts, games 
pitched, and innings. In 1962, 6 years after his last season, Bob 
Feller was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in recognition for 
his extraordinary abilities, on and off the field.
  It is my honor today to stand in support of Senate Concurrent 
Resolution 110, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the 1946 season 
of Iowa's native son, Bob Feller and his heroic military service to the 
United States.

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