Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller died in Cleveland Wednesday at age 92, WHO-TV reported.
The former Cleveland Indians hurler had suffered several health problems after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in August.
It was reported last week that Feller had been transferred from the Cleveland Clinic to hospice care.
Feller, known as the “Heater from Van Meter,” was born and raised in Van Meter, Iowa. He pitched three no-hitters and 12 one-hit games during his 18-year career and led the Indians to the franchise’s last World Series title in 1948.
Feller’s blazing fastball also earned him the moniker “Rapid Robert.” He struck out 15 hitters in his first big league start in 1936.
The right-hander finished his career with 266 wins, 2,581strikeouts and a 3.25 ERA. He led the American League in strikeouts in seven consecutive seasons between 1938 and 1948.
Feller’s accomplishments are even more remarkable due to the fact that he missed three prime years to serve in the US Navy during World War II.
The eight-time All-Star finished in the top five among American League pitchers in ERA six times, including a career-best 2.18 ERA and 348 strikeouts in his first full season after the war in 1946 — a year he compiled 26 wins and 36 complete games.
The Indians honored the pitching legend by retiring his No. 19 jersey in 1957. He won 20-plus games for the Tribe six times in his career, winning 25 or more three times.
During his 1962 Hall of Fame induction speech in Cooperstown, New York, Feller spoke of his love for the game saying, “There’s been a little controversy whether the first baseball game was ever played in Cooperstown, or elsewhere. I’m not concerned where the first one was played as long as it was played, and it certainly made a great deal of difference in the lives of most all Americans.”
Feller was the longest tenured living Hall of Famer.