Back from the Navy

Bob Feller in the Navy during World War II

After missing three full seasons and most of a fourth to serve in the Navy during World War II, Bob Feller makes his return to the major leagues 80 years ago today and promptly strikes out 12 while allowing only four hits in a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Stadium.

Feller’s victory comes against Hal Newhouser, who like Feller is a future Hall of Famer and is the game’s best pitcher while Feller is serving in the Pacific.

Bob Feller (19) in his return 80 years ago today

Oh, yes, a Friday night crowd of 46,477 turns out to see Feller’s return.

Fellers finishes his truncated 1945 season with a 5-3 record before coming back in 1946 to lead the majors in wins at 26, complete games at 36 and shutouts at 10.

For good measure, Feller in 1946 also leads everyone in innings pitched at 371 and strikeouts at 348.

He spends another 10 seasons in the majors – all with Cleveland – before retiring after the 1956 season with 266 career victories.

Surely, he is a 300-game winner if not for serving in World War II.

“A lot of folks say that had I not missed those almost four seasons to World War II during what was probably my physical prime I might have had 370 or even 400 wins,” Feller later says.

“But I have no regrets. None at all. I did what any American could and should do: serve his country in its time of need – the world’s time of need.”

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