December 10, 2004
*Athlete-Hero
There are little museums in just about every little town in America. You sometimes don't even notice them, much less stop inside to see what they're all about.
The Bob Feller Museum is about half an hour away, and I'd driven past the sign on the interstate several times, but never got around to pulling off the exit to check it out...until a few weeks ago.
I knew Feller was a Hall of Fame baseball player, and I assumed he was from Iowa, since we have a whole museum dedicated to him, but I learned he was more than that. Feller was an All-Star pitcher who was named the Major League Player of the Year in 1940.
And he walked away from it at 22 years of age.
On December 8, 1941--the Day after Pearl Harbor--Feller enlisted in the Navy. He served for four years before returning to baseball.
Besides that, he has a place in baseball legend...
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That bat Babe Ruth is leaning on? It was Feller's bat.
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The bat is now on display at the museum, along with other memorabilia.
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The lady working at the museum took the time to talk about Feller's career and the collection, and was very nice. It cost $4 admission, but it was a neat little place to visit. So if you're ever around Van Meter, Iowa, stop by. You can't miss it:
(click to enlarge if you wish)
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What's the story on the plaque with the cat on it?
Posted by: Victor at December 10, 2004 11:35 AMBob Feller was also part of one of the greatest starting pitching staffs of all time, along with Bob Lemon and rookie Herb Score, for the Cleveland Indians. Unfortunately, Herb Score took a line drive to the temple during his second season (I think) and was never the same after that.
Posted by: Ted at December 10, 2004 08:39 PM
Jew