Bob Feller Career

[jethrod3]

Originally Posted by BobC

And for Williams it is even possibly more insane. Unlike Feller and Spahn, Williams played the entire 1942 season, and only missed 3 seasons to WWII, not the almost 4 seasons that Feller and Spahn lost. However, what a lot of people forget, or never knew to begin with, was that Williams went back into the service during the Korean War. He only played in 6 games in the beginning of the 1952 season before heading off to the Korean War, and came back in late 1953 to play in 37 games to finish out that season. So, Williams basically lost almost 5 years fighting in wars.

I agree. He left the game certainly with his name in the argument for greatest hitter ever, and had he played during those missed years and stayed healthy, it's likely that he would have been at the top or very near the top of ALL of the categories you mentioned. I've read a couple of Williams biographies. He was not a perfect man, but major props to him for re-enlisting. That was a sacrifice that was above and beyond the call of duty for all but a few players of their day.