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Bust of late Cleveland Indians' pitcher Bob Feller presented at Progressive Field to US Navy

Feller became the first baseball player to enlist in the U.S. Navy after the bombings of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

CLEVELAND — EDITOR’S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on June 5, 2019.

The bust of Bob Feller, the late Cleveland Indians pitcher who served in World War II, was presented at Progressive Field to the U.S. Navy on Friday morning.

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The event took place at 9:45 a.m. at Progressive Field. 

3News streamed the event, which can be watched below in this story or on our YouTube channel.

The presentation is an honor to the USS Cooperstown ship from the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Major League Baseball, Cleveland Guardians and NEOPAT. 

The Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation represents the 39 National Baseball Hall of Fame Members who served in WWII.

Feller became the first professional athlete to enlist in the U.S. Navy just two days after the bombings of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Feller spent four years of service with the Navy aboard the USS Alabama. 

The following individuals were in attendance at the event: 

  • Jim Folk, Cleveland Guardians VP of Ballpark Improvements

  • CDR Rick DeChant (USCG, Retired) - NEOPAT

  • Chief Petty Officer Terry Spain (USN, Retired) – BFAOV

  • CDR Evan Wright – USS Cooperstown

  • Senior Chief Petty Officer Keona Johnson – USS Cooperstown

During Feller’s 18-year career with the Indians, he recorded 266 wins for the club. 

MORE GUARDIANS HEADLINES: 

EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on Oct. 18, 2022. 

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