Bob Feller is definitely going to bean somebody

The Hall of Fame museum in Cooperstown is putting on a "Hall of Fame Classic" with Bob Feller slated to start the game. Fergie Jenkins, Paul Molitor, Phil Niekro and Brooks Robinson are also going to play.

almost 3 years ago nickjs21 12 comments 0 recs |

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Is he still signing autographs before games in Goodyear? He used to throw out the ball to start some of the spring training games. He was 87 last time I saw him and was pretty limber. I think if the Indians let him he’d gladly take the ball every fifth game!

by LeftyCatcher on Mar 31, 2009 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

In addition to signing at Goodyear this year, he’s on the road in Arizona as well. I saw him at the Indians game against the Cubs this Sunday in Mesa.

No, not you. Your helmet!

by PatBordersHelmet on Mar 31, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I heard that he actually charges money for his autograph

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Mar 31, 2009 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I know you’re being semi-facetious, but more power to him. As someone who a.) thinks autographs are silly and b.) realizes that Feller was criminally underpaid in his day [he was given the opportunity to walk away from Cleveland in 1936 and sign with any team on his terms, but chose to stay with the Indians at less money than what was made clear to him by the commissioner was out there for him], I don’t see what the big deal is.

I never really understood what an autograph proves anyway, but $10 seems reasonable to me to get the opportunity to talk to the greatest Indians pitcher of all time and give him a little cut of the wads of cash that get handed over to the Indians organization daily. He is, after all, one of the freakin’ cornerstones of the institution.

Maybe he’s devalued his autograph stock and he’s clearly made himself available so much that people devalue his presence. Every time I see him I am in awe. Everybody should enjoy him while he’s still around. He’ll scribble on something and bend your ear for 10 bucks, but who wants to listen to the oldest living member of the hall of fame anyway?

No, not you. Your helmet!

by PatBordersHelmet on Apr 1, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I don’t think this was your point but you are sort of implying that he’s being screwed by the Indians even today. I don’t think that’s the case; it certainly seems like he’s on payroll and probably being paid pretty well just to hang around.

by afh4 on Apr 1, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

You think he’s being paid to charge $10 per autograph? I kind of doubt that.

No doubt he’s paid a very nice fee to participate in fantasy camp.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Apr 1, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

No, I meant the latter. He’s being paid to hang around and their ignoring the autograph thing. He’s not buying that uniform or hat. He’s getting paid to do fantasy camp and to be some kind of “goodwill ambassador”, throwing out first pitches and such. He’s probably staying at the team hotel, too.

by afh4 on Apr 1, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I do not think he’s getting paid to sign the autographs at Goodyear by the Indians. I also do not intend to say that Feller is being screwed by the Indians today. I have no evidence or indication of that. All players in his day were underpaid to some degree compared to the current free agency model. I think Feller realizes he is a big part of the Cleveland Indians brand and is simply taking advantage of the current autograph market that obviously still exists despite the ubiquity of his scribbles. I would guess the majority of the people shelling out $10 are doing it for the honor as opposed to some kind of future profit motive.

I was at Goodyear Monday, and while I didn’t get an autograph, I did enjoy his presence and what it brings to the new stadium to have someone so integral to the history of the franchise to be seated in the shade on the concourse of a pretty ballpark with no personality just yet.

No, not you. Your helmet!

by PatBordersHelmet on Apr 1, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m lacking a lot of clarity today.

I’m not saying he’s getting paid by the Indians to sign autographs. I think he gets paid to hang around the team all year, probably because the organization thinks it’s the right thing to do for all the reasons you’ve laid out.

by afh4 on Apr 1, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

You know what? I don’t care if they’re paying him or not, I’d give him $10 every time I saw him autograph or no for what he did for the Indians in particular and America in general long before I was born. The guy’s a goddam hero, is what he is.

by mauichuck on Apr 2, 2009 3:03 AM EDT up reply actions