Five Statistical Facts about Bob Feller

According to Baseball-Reference’s Fan EloRater, only 13 pitchers put up better statistics than Bob Feller. Feller spent all 18 seasons of his big league career with the Cleveland Indians and 3 others fighting in World War II. A member of the Indians the last time they won the World Series, these are five statistical facts about the Heater from Van Meter.

Leading the League in Wins

One-third of the seasons he played in Feller led the American League in wins. This fraction includes partial seasons so it’s an even greater achievement than what I’m making it out to be. Six times Feller had more wins than anyone else and it would have been far more if not for WWII. Feller led the league in wins 1939-1941, 1946, 1947, and finally in 1951.

Nearly an MVP

The Cy Young Award didn’t exist until it was too late for Feller to win one or more likely several. He did come close to capturing a couple MVP Awards, most notably each season 1939-1941. These three seasons Feller finished in the top three of voting however Joe DiMaggio and Hank Greenberg would end up winning it.

In each full season he played in from 1938-1948, Feller led the league in strikeouts. Of course, this leaves out the 1942-1945 seasons as he did not play in the first three and only started 9 games in 1945. His high came in 1946 when Feller struck out 348 batters.

Postseason Pitching

Feller only made it to one World Series when the Indians actually won in 1948. He didn’t pitch particularly well either, going 0-2 with a 5.02 ERA. In spite of their ace’s struggles, the Indians defeated the Boston Braves in six games.

More Complete Games than Wins

A common trend among pitchers from this era, Feller finished with more complete games than he did wins. Feller won 266 games in his career and secured 279 complete games. The most wins he had in a season was 27 in 1940. The most complete games was 36 in 1946.