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

47 страница из 96

Cleveland reporters were constantly badgering the general manager on why Feller’s arm issues were taking so long. Frustrated, he tried to arrange the Milwaukee trip without arousing suspicion. But after Stuart Bell foiled his secret plans, all the Cleveland papers had stories about exactly what the Indians were up to and why Feller had to leave the city.

On first glimpse, the Milwaukee trip seemed to be a success. Feller had several mechanical treatments that significantly reduced his constant elbow pain. Back in town, the moment came to test his throwing arm under game conditions. Feller returned to League Park and started throwing off the pitching mound. Within minutes the same discomfort returned. Slapnicka had few choices remaining before declaring Feller on the shelf for the rest of the year. The only possible solution was to see the bonesetting doctor Lefty Weisman had earlier recommended. Ironically, his office was just a home run’s distance from League Park. Feller took the short walk and had Dr. A. L. Austin do a thorough examination. After some manipulation, the physician believed the ulna bone, connecting to the elbow, had been dislocated. He firmly grabbed Feller’s wrist with one hand, then popped the elbow hard with the other. Feller felt a tremendous pain, then nothing. The arm appeared to be fine.