Bob Feller =(

[baseball123]

Tribe legend Feller enters hospice care
Hall of Fame's longest-tenured living member battling leukemia
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 12/08/10 10:30 PM EST

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Hall of Famer Bob Feller has been tranferred from the Cleveland Clinic to hospice care for the terminally ill, according to Bob DiBiasio, the Indians vice president of public relations.

Feller, 92, battling leukemia, was recently admitted to the Clinic due to a bout with pneumonia. The latest developement is yet another setback in a series of medical issues that have hindered the pitching great over the past few months.

In August, Feller was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a form of cancer in which the white blood cells interfere with the production of normal blood cells. Feller had to have about two quarts of blood infused into his system and began receiving chemotherapy.
In September, Feller had a pacemaker installed to combat a heart ailment and also had a bout with vertigo. The most recent trip to the Clinic came after Feller developed a case of thrush, which is an infection of the mucus membrane lining of the mouth and tongue. The thrush interfered with Feller's ability to eat, limiting his strength.

Strength and spirit -- a combination that has helped Feller display an energy that defied his age in recent years -- have long been two of the former pitcher's best attributes. Feller debuted with the Indians at the age of 17 in 1936, following a childhood spent in Van Meter, Iowa.

Discovered by scout Cy Slapnicka, Feller agreed to sign with the Indians for $1 and an autographed baseball.

Feller then went on to pitch 18 seasons for the Tribe, posting a 266-162 record to set the franchise record for wins. The right-hander led the American League in strikeouts seven times, was named to eight All-Star teams and missed three years of his prime while serving in World War II.

"Rapid Robert" fashioned three no-hitters, including the lone Opening Day no-hitter in baseball history. Beyond victories, he is Cleveland's all-time leader in innings (3,827), strikeouts (2,581), complete games (279) and starts (484).

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962, Feller represents the longest-tenured living member of baseball's elite class. Cleveland retired his No. 19 in 1957.



http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...s_mlb&c_id=mlb

[RockiesFan33]

Wow. I'm so sad to read this. Feller is such a staple for MLB and for our community.

[baseball123]

Wow. I'm so sad to read this. Feller is such a staple for MLB and for our community.

Yahh I know, I hope he doesn't leave us as fast as Sparky did. Too Many legends to loose in a year. MY prayers out to his family

[baseball123]

Very Tragic

http://www.hallofverygood.com/2010/1...1918-2010.html

[Sawks14]

One of the best players to ever play the game and one of the best ambassadors the game has ever had.

I just met Mr. Feller this past summer and even being 92 and sitting in the pouring rain he was right into signing for us and talking to us for a moment. I remember him yelling at me to get a jacket on due to the rain and stay inside lol.

[Redman5006]

Such sad news to hear about a true MLB legend. I wish him all the best.

[baseball123]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseb...-indians_N.htm

Bob Feller, an American folk hero and Hall of Famer whose life story consisted of baseball, patriotism, family and farming, died Wednesday night of acute leukemia in a hospice. He was 92.
Feller, a right-handed pitcher known as "Rapid Robert" and "Bullet Bob," was an eight-time All-Star who led the American League in strikeouts in seven different seasons and was the first pitcher to win 20 or more games in a season before the age of 21. He threw 279 complete games and pitched three no-hitters during an 18-year career, spent entirely with the Cleveland Indians.

He was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1962 and was the longest-tenured living Hall of Famer at the time of his death.