Show and tell Bob Feller

[jingram058]

Somewhere I have one of those MCI Ambassadors of Baseball cards signed by him, and a color postcard signed by Johnny Vander Meer. They came aboard USS Independence CV-62 when I served on that aircraft carrier. I met Bob Feller, Johnny Vander Meer, Graig Nettles, Rick Waite, and Bert Campaneris. They were all very, very nice gentlemen, and didn't charge any money for anything. You could also have someone take photos with them if you had a camera. Bob Feller had a stack of those MCI cards pre-signed. We talked a few minutes and shook hands. Johnny Vander Meer personalized a postcard for me, and also wrote "back-to-back no-hitters, 1938". Super nice guy. Nettles, Waite and Campaneris signed a USS Independence photo. I think this was one of our in-ports while the ship was tied up at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.

[ocjack]

For a while it seemed like Feller was at every card show in the area, even the smaller motel shows. We always knew the Feller line would move slowly because he would spend 10-15 minutes talking to each person and answering questions. A great guy - but if you wanted to get in and out quick - wasn't going to happen.

[ALR-bishop]

Feller in the Topps Scoops baseball subset, both scratched and unscratched. Plus John Travolta welcoming the Braves to Milwaukee in 1953 :-)

[h2oya311]

Although I never met him and honestly don't know a ton about him, I do have a "connection" to Mr. Feller. As a young kid collecting in the '80s, my grandmother asked me if I had any Bob Feller cards. I probably had some Circle K or other A/T Greats card of Feller, but nothing from his playing days. She was disappointed.

My grandmother then showed me some family photos and told me that Mr. Feller was my third cousin, twice removed. To this day, I still don't even know what that means, but apparently he is "family". I'm happy to say that I do have a few career contemporary cards now.

Here's an un-autographed "rookie" card of his (which, according to this thread, apparently means it's rare):



When I saw the note about him autographing "everything", I remembered having this in my collection...a 1980 Charlotte O's Program (when Cal Ripken was playing for the team) autographed by Mr. Feller:

[MikeGarcia]

..That "Tuffy Leemans" is so rare that if anyone else on the board also has one I shall buy you a hot dog and a Diet Pepsi at next year's National....

..

[tulsaboy]

Feller came to Tulsa, Oklahoma to consider buying a Spartan airplane in the late 1940's. I have a handful of original photos of his buying trip. That is him there on the right, standing in front of one of Spartan's hangars in Tulsa. From some contemporary accounts, he walked through the Spartan offices and gave the ladies there quite the thrill.
kevin

[Collectorsince62]

Bob Feller was probably the first ballplayer I ever viewed as a businessman, because he was such a fixture on the show circuit, but I realized it even more after learning about his barnstorming escapades during his playing days.

I hope he is not forgotten from the American conscience because the Bob Feller story is fascinating and reads like a tall tale.

He began his major league career in 1936, at age 17!!!!!, fresh off his family’s farm in Van Meter, Iowa. He came up in August, striking out 15 in his first start. A month later, he set an American League rookie record fanning 17. Then he went home to finish his senior year of high school. Let all of that sink in for a minute. He was a national sensation – his graduation was covered by NBC Radio.

Aside from his immense talent as a pitching prodigy, he was principled, opinionated, patriotic (gave up four years of his prime) and just interesting as hell.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Collectorsince62

Bob Feller was probably the first ballplayer I ever viewed as a businessman, because he was such a fixture on the show circuit, but I realized it even more after learning about his barnstorming escapades during his playing days.

I hope he is not forgotten from the American conscience because the Bob Feller story is fascinating and reads like a tall tale.

He began his major league career in 1936, at age 17!!!!!, fresh off his family’s farm in Van Meter, Iowa. He came up in August, striking out 15 in his first start. A month later, he set an American League rookie record fanning 17. Then he went home to finish his senior year of high school. Let all of that sink in for a minute. He was a national sensation – his graduation was covered by NBC Radio.

Aside from his immense talent as a pitching prodigy, he was principled, opinionated, patriotic (gave up four years of his prime) and just interesting as hell.

The Van Meter Heater. Great post!

[JLange]

I would see Bob Feller at card shows I went to as a kid in the 1980s. I thought it was a joke how cheap his autograph was, and how he would sign almost anything for anybody. I didn't appreciate who he was, what he accomplished, and just how involved he was in baseball. As an adult I found new appreciation for Mr. Feller, and his achievements as a pre-war/post-war pitcher, barnstormer, business man, WWII hero, players union president, and all around ambassador of baseball. I wish I would have met him when I had the chance.

I have various collections focused on Cleveland Baseball history , and my "Bob Feller Cards and Collectibles" collection is one of my primary pursuits. I still find things I've never seen before with some regularity, and there is healthy competition for many of his rare items. Sharing pics of some of my favorites:

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Somewhere I have one of those MCI Ambassadors of Baseball cards signed by him, and a color postcard signed by Johnny Vander Meer. They came aboard USS Independence CV-62 when I served on that aircraft carrier. I met Bob Feller, Johnny Vander Meer, Graig Nettles, Rick Waite, and Bert Campaneris. They were all very, very nice gentlemen, and didn't charge any money for anything. You could also have someone take photos with them if you had a camera. Bob Feller had a stack of those MCI cards pre-signed. We talked a few minutes and shook hands. Johnny Vander Meer personalized a postcard for me, and also wrote "back-to-back no-hitters, 1938". Super nice guy. Nettles, Waite and Campaneris signed a USS Independence photo. I think this was one of our in-ports while the ship was tied up at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.

Found 'em. Johnny Vander Meer goes with the Bob Feller card.

[egri]

I’ll dig up the pictures later, but I have a PSA-slabbed 1953 Topps Bob Feller that PSA labeled 1954. I like to think it was shoddy QC on their part, and not a lack of knowledge.

[MikeGarcia]

..Printers' Proof/Office Copy from a New Jersey family whose relative worked at the shop where Dixie had their exquisite work done ; this never made it as far as the hole-punch process ; shows handling though ; there are survivors from the salesman's sample portfolios showing up sometimes : those have about 25 little holes across the top from being liberated from the spiral metal coil binding .... P.S. - The Foxx from this set is simply pure art.

..

[vthobby]

Here is my Feller Shrine! Original Municipal Stadium Seat signed by him and a home plate signed also! Surprisingly the seat is as solid as it was 75 years ago!

Peace, Mike

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[IndyDave]

Originally Posted by vtgmsc

Here is my Feller Shrine! Original Municipal Stadium Seat signed by him and a home plate signed also! Surprisingly the seat is as solid as it was 75 years ago!

Peace, Mike

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Awesome pieces Mike.

Those seats had to see solid with as much noise as they made

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by MikeGarcia

..Printers' Proof/Office Copy from a New Jersey family whose relative worked at the shop where Dixie had their exquisite work done ; this never made it as far as the hole-punch process ; shows handling though ; there are survivors from the salesman's sample portfolios showing up sometimes : those have about 25 little holes across the top from being liberated from the spiral metal coil binding .... P.S. - The Foxx from this set is simply pure art.

..

Damn fine looking set

[ramram]

I’ve got a 1934-1936 Iowa State Amateur Baseball Tournament scorebook that has all of Feller’s last amateur games before the 16 year old went Pro.

Playing against much older, seasoned ballplayers the 16 year old high schooler dominated. This was the tournament at which Feller was "found" by superscout Cy Slapnicka. He was signed shortly thereafter. The scorebook was the official scorers book kept by the Iowa Amateur Athletic Association's State Chairman Joe Campbell. Feller's team of farm boys ended up winning the tournament against many of the well sponsored city boys. Feller was probably 8 - 10 years younger than most of the participants.

In the tournament, Feller pitched 27 1/3 innings, had 49 strikeouts and gave up 14 hits, 10 walks, 4 runs (1 earned run). The only earned run was on a home run.

Rob M

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[Trublubrucru]

It was around 1981, I was looking through old National Geographics at school from the 40's and 50's and came across this ad. Bob Feller was attending a local card show that week and I had him sign it and a few other things. It was my first "paid" autograph. He was chatty with my mom and me and I left happy to have met my first Hall of Famer. ( how about that new T.V. with the LARGER 17 inch screen!)