Same Old Feller

Poky as ever, Bob Feller ambled out to the pitching mound, tugged up his pants in the old way, fired a fastball which was perhaps better than it used to be. After three pitches, his shirttail came out, just like old times.

Back with Cleveland's Indians last week after 44 months in the Navy, Feller brought out Cleveland's biggest baseball crowd in three years (46,477). Besides his old 100 m.p.h. fireball, he showed the fans new confidence and control. Because he no longer knew the batters, he had to confer frequently with Catcher Frankie Hayes--whose dope was apparently sound. Feller struck out twelve of the league-leading Detroit Tigers (including Hank Greenberg and Rudy York twice apiece), gave only four hits, walked five, won in a 4-2 breeze. Said he, afterwards: "I will be able to reach a keener edge as I go along."

Feller might be back too late to lift the Indians to the top, but he would do his share to keep the American League pennant race up in the air. His first victory started the Tigers on a weekend skid, which should have dropped them into second place--but Washington conveniently flubbed four straight. The St. Louis Browns, up from sixth to third, closed in.

In the National League another photofinish was in production. The Chicago Cubs lost five games in a row, three straight to the threatening St. Louis Cardinals. The Cards, who won six in a row, were now on the Cubs' neck and breathing hard.

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