The Top 40 Pitchers in Baseball History, Ranked

#12: Bob Feller

Bob Feller was baseball’s first rock star. He debuted at 17, skipped the minors, and started blowing hitters away with his 100 mph fastball while still in high school. “Rapid Robert” led the league in strikeouts seven times, pitched three no-hitters, and served heroically in World War II at the peak of his career.

He missed nearly four full seasons to serve—yet still notched 266 wins and 2,581 strikeouts. Feller didn’t need hype; he created it with every jaw-dropping outing. He was patriotic, fearless, and utterly electric. If fireballers have a forefather, it’s Feller—young, bold, and fast as hell.