Posted on 07/15/2004 11:38:10 AM PDT by kjfine
HOUSTON -- The sellout crowd at Minute Maid Park gave Muhammad Ali a hero's welcome Tuesday, but Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller would rather the former boxing great not have been invited.
Ali received a roaring ovation from the crowd for being an honored guest for the ceremonial first pitch at the All-Star Game, but Feller came away angered by Ali's presence.
Born Cassius Clay in 1942, Ali changed his name after converting to the Muslim faith.
Commissioner Bud Selig dismissed the criticism of Ali, who returned to the city where he fought four times and relinquished his heavyweight boxing title by refusing to join the military during the Vietnam War.
"Muhammad Ali is one of the sports legends of our generation," Selig said before the game. "I don't think that that's valid criticism."
Feller won 266 games during his career, all with the Cleveland Indians, but lost nearly four seasons while serving with the U.S. Navy in World War II. He received eight battle stars.
"A man who turned his back on his country shouldn't be honored this way," Feller told the Herald.
Ali became known for much more than being a terrific and mouthy heavyweight champion in April 1967, when he moved his legal residence to Houston to fight induction into the military at the downtown U.S. Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station.
He was roundly criticized for the decision around the country, and was indicted 10 days later by a federal jury for violating the Universal Military Training and Service Act. He was convicted in Houston on June 20, 1967, and was sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of $10,000.
Ali never went to prison as his case went through appeals, but was stripped of his titles and forced to stop boxing for more than three years. His refusal gave more steam to the growing anti-war movement, and the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 1971. Ali returned to the ring shortly thereafter.
He became the world champion twice more, and eventually retired in 1981.
"I protest his being here [at the All-Star Game]," Feller told the Herald. "I don't like the message he sends out, and [Major League Baseball] shouldn't have invited him."
Ali has returned to Houston several times over the years, including a 1997 benefit for Parkinson's disease, the ailment from which he now suffers.
"He's a national treasure as far as I'm concerned," AL and New York Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "Sometimes when people are going through some physical problems, they tend to hide out. But I think he realizes how much good he does just showing up places."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report
"I object very strongly to Muhammad Ali being here to throw out the first pitch, and you can print that," Feller was quoted as saying in Wednesday's Boston Herald. "This is a man who changed his name and changed his religion so he wouldn't have to serve his country, and, to me, that's disgusting."
PING!
I'm with Fellar!
Me too1!
The winningest pitcher in Cleveland Indians history, in 1962 Feller became the first pitcher since charter member Walter Johnson to be elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Though regarded as the fastest pitcher of his day, he himself attributed his strikeout records to his curve and slider. Blessed with a strong arm and an encouraging father, young Feller pitched to a makeshift backstop on the family farm near Van Meter, Iowa. Cleveland scout Cy Slapnicka signed him for one dollar and an autographed baseball.
His velocity became an immediate legend when he struck out eight Cardinals in a three-inning exhibition stint. He came up as a 17-year-old at the end of 1936 and fanned 15 Browns in his first ML start and 17 Athletics shortly thereafter. But he was extremely wild. In 1938 he became a regular starter for the Indians. He won 17 and led the AL in strikeouts with 240. He also set a ML record with 208 walks. Although he led the AL in walks three more times, his control progressively improved. Meanwhile, he led the AL in both strikeouts and wins from 1939 to 1941.
In 1940, he won his personal high with 27, including an Opening Day no-hitter against the White Sox. Yet the year was tarnished, first when Cleveland veterans, including Feller, earned the nickname Crybabies by asking Cleveland owner Alva Bradley to replace stern manager Ossie Vitt. Then Feller lost the season's climactic game and the pennant to Tigers unknown Floyd Giebell, despite pitching a three-hitter.
He lost nearly four seasons to the Navy during WWII, earning eight battle stars. When he returned, he was better than ever, rejoining a powerful pitching staff that would soon include Bob Lemon, Mike Garcia, and Early Wynn. He won 26 games in 1946 and broke Rube Waddell's strikeout record with 348 (later research indicated Waddell may have fanned 349). He also threw his second no-hitter, against the Yankees. All told, Feller threw three no-hitters and 12 one-hitters.
In 1948 he started to decline, although he led the AL in strikeouts for the seventh and final time. He salvaged his season with six straight wins down the stretch to help the Indians to their first pennant in 28 years. He opened the WS against the Braves, but lost 1-0 on a controversial call. He'd apparently picked Boston's Phil Masi off second base, but the Braves' catcher was called safe. Masi then scored the game's only run when Tommy Holmes singled.
After two mediocre years, he bounced back with a 22-8 season in 1951 to lead the AL in wins for the sixth time and in winning percentage for the only time. He spent his final seasons as a highly effective spot starter, but was not used in the 1954 WS.
One of the first of the modern businessman-players, he was incorporated (Ro-Fel, Inc.) and made nearly as much money from barnstorming and endorsements as from playing. In 1957 his number 19 was the first to be retired by the Indians. And in 1969 he was voted baseball's greatest living righthanded pitcher in ceremonies for professional baseball's centennial. Always outspoken, and a natural promoter, he remains a popular ambassador for baseball
Yep! Ali is a "large" figure here in Louisville, and I have always respected what he did for the community. However, my opinion of him has now changed dramatically. Having "been there - done that", this makes me sick.
Bob Feller cheers!!!
Thanks! I had no idea who he was other than what was in this article. It was enough that he was a Vet and a ball player.
Why did MLB have a boxer throw out the first pitch at the 75th Anniversary of the All Star game?
Good question. Do you know the answer?
I agree with Bob Feller.
Do they traditionally use baseball players, or just "celebrities"?
Next thing you know, it'll be Michael Moore, another symbol of all that's American. /sarc
Bob Feller was at a Fresno Grizzlies (SF Giants AAA team) in 1998 or 1998 and threw out the first pitch. After throwing out the first pitch a few players from both AAA teams had him sign some baseballs for them. I didn't realize he was going to be there and it was a very happy surprise when they announced him.
If our public got real brain, they would have never welcomed this retarded bum. Ever since the sixties when this bum converted to Islam, I have never considered him a hero! Unfortunately, I was very surprised to see that the majority of the American public is just as retarded as Ali!
Feller is absolutely right. And Ali remains a scumbag for turning his back on our country.
I is very bad here in KY. I have actually met Ali. I wish that I had met Feller instead!
I remember meeting Bob Feller at an event when I was five or six years old and him being extrordinarily hospitable. This story makes raises my already high opinion of him.
To me, if you were born a Moslem, I cannot blame you as much because you grow up in that stupid cult. But for a grown up, after evaluating the alternatives, to seek this worthless cult, it is unexplainable.
Could be that there are going to be a whole lot of surprised Moslem's when this world ends!
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig today invited Adolph Hitler to throw out the first pitch of next year's All Star Game. Responding to criticism based on Hitler's murder of millions during the Second World War, Selig noted: "Adolph Hitler, a winner of the Iron Cross, was one of the great legends of World War One. What he did afterwards is of no consequence." Compare what Muhammad Ali said in the past about whites and American soldiers in Vietnam with what Hitler said about Jews -- not much difference.
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