Читать книгу Bad Boys, Bad Times. The Cleveland Indians and Baseball in the Prewar Years, 1937–1941 онлайн

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The Indians to a man were jubilant in the clubhouse. There were plenty of smiles, including Johnny Allen yelling from the showers, “I only need nineteen more wins!” They had played hard and hustled, completely deserving the one-sided win. Manager Steve O’Neill talked happily with reporters, pleased that his boys had put on a good show. Now all attention turned to Saturday’s game and the season debut of still–high schooler Bob Feller.

Throughout spring training, every pitch Feller threw, every warmup toss he made, was carefully scrutinized by reporters and fans. Now, on April 24, the baseball realm would see how he fared. At game time there were 12,000 fans in the seats, a fine crowd for the day after the home opener. Among the ticket holders were an unusual number of young boys, already members of the growing Feller fan club. They anticipated a big win, with at least eighteen or twenty strikeouts.

For St. Louis, leadoff hitter and former Indian Bill Knickerbocker walked to home plate. Feller started with a few curveballs when suddenly a severe pain raced through his elbow. He panicked for a moment, not sure what to do. Feller desperately wanted to make a good showing, especially in his first start of the year. His elbow throbbing, he made the decision to keep the pain to himself. He shook off the signs from Frankie Pytlak until he saw the one for a fastball. Feller blazed away, though the aching in his arm was almost unbearable. He stuck with the fastball, trying not to make eye contact with his puzzled catcher.