Morning Register Des Moines, Iowa
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Bob Awaits His Release, Tribe Terms
,-¦' |J\ Jerry Liska
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Great Lakes, ILL. UP)-Bob i Feller of j thi Cleveland Indians, who pitched |pr Uncle Sam-liter- ff ally and Aguratively-since Pearl Harbor, will be whizzing his fast ball past American league batters any day now.
Commodore Robert R. M. Emmet of the Great Lakes Naval " Training center disclosed Saturday that Feller was eligible for release under the navy's point discharge system and soon would be transferred to a demobilization | center.
Emmet first reported that the former Tribe strike-out ace might doff his chief specialist uniform by next Thursday, but i later said Feller's release would be determined by speed ! with which discharge machinery could be set up at Great I: Lakes.------
Feller declined comment on his current status, but said he had | "more than" the 44 points required for release and that he I hoped to be back in baseball uniform "in a week or two."
Rapid Robert, who wears five I campaign ribbons studded with j eight battle stars, said he had not yet conferred with Tribe officials regarding his return.
"Some financial matters naturally will have to be discussed," explained Feller. "After all, I don't have a contract any more, but I still am Cleve- | land property."
The 26-year-old right-hander, who led the American league in victories, strike-outs and innings pitched in the three seasons prior to his enlistment on Dec. | 11, 1941, is in tip-top shape from his manager-player activity on the Great Lakes baseball team.
Prior to V-J day, Feller asserted he wanted to get back into a Cleveland uniform "before the season ends" At Cleveland, Vice-President Roger Peckinpaugh said he knew nothing of Feller's I impending release, but that the speed-baller would be a welcome addition to the Tribe in its stretch run.
With Walker Cooper, former I St. Louis Cardinal catcher, his battery-mate, Feller has averaged 10 strike-outs a game for his Bluejacket nine and r*>opnt- j ly pitched a no-hitter against the Ford All-Stars of Dearborn, Mich.
Fresh from 25-13 season and 260 strike-outs in 1941, Feller joined the navy four days after Pearl Harbor. For 27 months prior to his transfer to Great Lakes, he was attached to the U.S.S. Alabama, serving as a gun-fire control director. He saw action in' the Asiatic, European and American theaters. Bob still weighs 185, his pitching poundage with the Indians.
Emmet said Pinky Higgins former Detroit Tigers' sacker, would take over as Blue jacket manager when Feller leaves.-- S
