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Bob Feller moved to Hospice

Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 5:54 pm
by Gil Dobie
One of the all-time great pitchers and WWII vet, Godspeed Rapid Robert.

CBS Link
The 92-year-old Hall of Fame pitcher was transferred from the Cleveland Clinic, where he was treated for pneumonia, to a Cleveland-area hospice. That's the word from Bob DiBiasio, vice president of public relations for the Cleveland Indians, Feller's old team.

Feller's health has been in decline in recent months. He was diagnosed with leukemia in August, and after fainting while undergoing chemotherapy, Feller had a pacemaker implanted. He's also been treated for vertigo and thrush, a fungal infection of the mucous membranes lining the mouth and throat, according to Cleveland.com.

Entering a hospice doesn't mean that a patient no longer receives care, despite what some people believe. It means simply that any treatments the patient receives are geared not toward curing an illness but toward making the patient comfortable as the end of life draws near, according to the Hospice Foundation of America.

Feller won 266 games in 18 seasons - all with the Indians. An eight-time All-Star, Feller interrupted his baseball career to enlist in the Navy during World War II. Feller served three years in the military before returning to the major leagues.

In a recent interview, Feller told Cleveland.com, "My best decision in life was joining the Navy two days after Pearl Harbor."

Was he ever afraid of dying during the war?

"Never gave it a thought," Feller said. "You always knew that if a bullet had your name on it, you were going to get it."

Re: Bob Feller moved to Hospice

Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 6:38 pm
by Ivytalk
Not good news, but he's always been a class act and deserves to be remembered as such.

And dammit, Masi was OUT at second in the '48 Series!

Re: Bob Feller moved to Hospice

Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:45 am
by Gil Dobie
Bob Feller Museum in Van Meter, IA, is just off I-80 between Des Moines and Omaha. Just watch the weather if you are planning on a visit.