Cleveland Indians: FanSided names Bob Feller best player in team history

A recent FanSided article named the best player in franchise history for each MLB team, and the player chosen for the Cleveland Indians is no surprise.

Cleveland Indians fans have plenty to be excited about when it comes to the current team. Young stars like Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis and Jose Ramirez have the potential to go down as some of the best to ever play for the team.

But there is one player who stands out as the best in franchise history and that is Bob Feller, who was named the best Indians player of all time in a recent FanSided article written by Joshua Sadlock.

From the article:

"Bob Feller was one of the youngest players in MLB history when he made his debut in 1936 at the age of 17. Feller signed out of high school at the age of 16 after allegedly striking out 361 batters in only 157 innings for a semi-pro team. He was in the big leagues less than a year later, making his debut at the age of 17. In his first career start on August 23, 1936, Feller struck out 15 in a complete game. In his fifth MLB start, Feller struck out 17. The legend of Rapid Robert would only grow from there."

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Feller was remembered not only for his play on the field, but for his service in World War II. He left the team during his prime to serve his country, and still ended his career with 266 wins, good enough to make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Feller’s case is also bolstered by the fact he spent his entire career with the Indians. Younger fans, including myself, look to Jim Thome as perhaps the best Indians player of the past 25 years, but he spent the last decade of his career elsewhere. However, he did make a brief return in 2011.

It is hard for fans who never saw Feller play to surely say he is the best Indians player of all time, but the stats are there to prove his case. He is the franchise leader in both wins and strikeouts, and was the Game 1 starter in the last World Series won by the Indians, back in 1948.

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So while others from the past and present may stake a claim to the best Indians player of all time, Feller’s resume is too strong right now. Perhaps in 25 years we will be watching Lindor’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony, but until then Feller will remain the best.