Bob Feller - Is he a top tier Hall of Famer?

[Peter_Spaeth]

My top tier would be
Anson
Cobb
Speaker
Wagner
Lajoie
Collins
Johnson
Young
Mathewson
Alexander
Hornsby
Ruth
Grove
Gehrig
Foxx
Greenberg
Feller
DiMaggio
Williams

[bender07]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

My top tier would be
Anson
Cobb
Speaker
Wagner
Lajoie
Collins
Johnson
Young
Mathewson
Alexander
Hornsby
Ruth
Grove
Gehrig
Foxx
Greenberg
Feller
DiMaggio
Williams

No Mays or Aaron? And yes, feller is top tier.

[bcbgcbrcb]

I agree with you on 100% of your names, Peter and also have included Ott, Sisler & Delahanty.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

I agree with you on 100% of your names, Peter and also have included Ott, Sisler & Delahanty.

If I had to include more it would be Ott and Hubbell. I sort of buy into the Bill James theory that Sisler is tremendously overrated.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

My top tier would be
Anson
Cobb
Speaker
Wagner
Lajoie
Collins
Johnson
Young
Mathewson
Alexander
Hornsby
Ruth
Grove
Gehrig
Foxx
Greenberg
Feller
DiMaggio
Williams

Peter

My sentiments exactly....and, I will round out your list to 20 by adding Eddie Plank.


TED Z

[sniffy5]

I think Feller definitely is an "A" list Hall of Famer (there are far too many "B", and even "C" listers). And If he had happened to spend a career as a Yankee from '36 to '56, or a Dodger, I'm thinking he would probably be thought of as a truly legendary icon and celebrated in a way he never was post career. True, that can be said of many a great player...

[shelly]

I am from Cleveland. His signiture might not be worth anything but as a pitcher he was an A list HOF. I dont think you can name a better pitcher during that time. He always said they took the greatest four years of my life. I belive that. It is like what would Ted Williams had done with six more years.

[slipk1068]

Can't argue with putting him on the list. I just consider him a half a step below. To me elite means:
Cobb
Speaker
Wagner
Lajoie
Johnson
Mathewson
Alexander
Hornsby
Ruth
Foxx
Williams

Add Feller and you also must consider Spahn, Carlton, and Seaver. Maybe Dizzy Dean? and what about Willie Mays. All a half a step below my elite list except maybe Willie Mays.

[DaveW]

"Add Feller and you also must consider Spahn, Carlton, and Seaver. Maybe Dizzy Dean? and what about Willie Mays. All a half a step below my elite list except maybe Willie Mays."

The OP did say pre-war, so you can't really include these guys, except Dean.

[Runscott]

Absolutely. Right behind Phil Niekro and Don Sutton in my HOF team 5-man starting rotation.

That was sarcasm - Feller is definitely top-tier

[slipk1068]

Originally Posted by DaveW

"Add Feller and you also must consider Spahn, Carlton, and Seaver. Maybe Dizzy Dean? and what about Willie Mays. All a half a step below my elite list except maybe Willie Mays."

The OP did say pre-war, so you can't really include these guys, except Dean.

oops i missed that. my mistake thanks.

[bosoxfan]

Originally Posted by slipk1068

Can't argue with putting him on the list. I just consider him a half a step below. To me elite means:
Cobb
Speaker
Wagner
Lajoie
Johnson
Mathewson
Alexander
Hornsby
Ruth
Foxx
Williams

Add Feller and you also must consider Spahn, Carlton, and Seaver. Maybe Dizzy Dean? and what about Willie Mays. All a half a step below my elite list except maybe Willie Mays.

I think we're talking pre war but, Seaver and Carlton a half step below? WOW

[Hankphenom]

All depends on the definition of top-tier. Because of the prime years lost to war service and his overall profile of dominance in his time, he's in my top 15 all-time great pitchers, maybe closer to 10 than 15. That makes him a top 50 player, IMO, and that's a truly elite group.

As for his personality, I had several "encounters" with Feller, and you can put me down in the not-a-fan camp. I do like the fact, however, that in every interview I've seen where he was asked whether he thought he was the fastest pitcher ever, he says without hesitation that he thought that Walter Johnson had to be the fastest ever, and also the greatest pitcher ever. You have to feel a little sorry for the guy coming into the league just a few years after Johnson left, and having everyone who had seen both of them say how great he was but that he wasn't as fast, or as good, as Johnson. It had to bother the heck out of him.

And I agree with those who find no excuse for his grumpiness. The guy had a fabulous life, and even if he hadn't, it's no more trouble to be kind than to be unpleasant. My personal observation from seeing him up close several times is that he had a huge ego, and I think being able to be gruff and cranky and getting away with it was his way of proving what a great man he was.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by bosoxfan

I think we're talking pre war but, Seaver and Carlton a half step below? WOW

Ya, and what about Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson? Koufax, in his prime was, in my opinion, the second best pitcher ever behind Johnson.

The last five seasons of his career, Koufax was 111-34 (.766 win percentage!) with a 1.95 ERA, 33 shutouts, 1,444 Ks vs 316 BB in 1,377 IP. He allowed 6.3 hits per nine innings, and compiled a 0.926 WHIP. That's downright obscene for a modern pitcher, regardless of how high the mound was.

I'd also add Pedro Martinez and Greg Maddux to that top tier of Hall of Famers (once Pedro gets in, obviously).

[slipk1068]

Originally Posted by shelly

I am from Cleveland. His signiture might not be worth anything but as a pitcher he was an A list HOF. I dont think you can name a better pitcher during that time. He always said they took the greatest four years of my life. I belive that. It is like what would Ted Williams had done with six more years.

Signature might not be worth anything, but at least he was out there on the front lines signing, hanging out with the fans, taking pictures, and being a great ambassador for the game. Can't say as much for some of these Bozos that get $100 or more for their autograph. Nice guy. GREAT Pitcher. GREAT American.

[basesareempty]

Originally Posted by shelly

I am from Cleveland. His signiture might not be worth anything but as a pitcher he was an A list HOF. I dont think you can name a better pitcher during that time. He always said they took the greatest four years of my life. I belive that. It is like what would Ted Williams had done with six more years.

I look at it the other way and think what would this country be like if men like Bob Feller and Ted Williams didn't serve in our military.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by basesareempty

I look at it the other way and think what would this country be like if men like Bob Feller and Ted Williams didn't serve in our military.

+1, and much to Feller's credit, he was the first MLB player to enlist after Pearl Harbor.

[slipk1068]

Originally Posted by sniffy5

I think Feller definitely is an "A" list Hall of Famer (there are far too many "B", and even "C" listers). And If he had happened to spend a career as a Yankee from '36 to '56, or a Dodger, I'm thinking he would probably be thought of as a truly legendary icon and celebrated in a way he never was post career. True, that can be said of many a great player...

Good point