I had the chance to meet him in Winter Haven during a spring training game about 15 years ago, when the Indians trained there. His was the first baseball autograph I ever got (not my primary field of interest, although I ultimately actually flew to Atlantic City to get Willie Mays' in the late '90's). Feller was truly a class act, very friendly and willing to chat for a while, as long as there weren't others waiting for his 'graph. Truly an American patriot and an upper-echelon Hall of Famer, in my opinion. He probably would have approached 350 wins had he not given up four years of his career to enlist. Ironically, I got his autograph on impulse, considering his status and my feeling then that he wasn't likely to be around much longer (LOL!).
I have his 1936-1937 R314, which depicts him warming up at Fenway Park. When looking at it, it always brings to mind the thought that he came up to the majors at seventeen, set some magnificant strikeout records, and then went back to finish high school! RIP, Rapid Robert; you'll always be among the best of the best!
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