RUN4LIFE-MAINE

Bob Feller inspired countless Americans when, at the age of 23, despite being eligible for a deferment, he put his baseball career on hold and became the first American professional athlete to enlist in the military, volunteering for combat service the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Feller missed almost four full seasons in the prime of his career, and likely an additional 100 wins, serving aboard the USS Alabama, earning 6 campaign ribbons and 8 battle stars.
Honorably discharged from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer on August 22, 1945, Feller resumed his baseball career, going on to win 266 games and throw 3 no-hitters over the course of his 18 Major League seasons, all with the Cleveland Indians.

A first ballot National Baseball Hall of Famer in 1962, Feller was frequently asked, “What is the most important game you ever won?” Without hesitation, his answer was always “World War II.” For the remainder of his life until his passing in December 2010, at the age of 92, he took great pride in his time in the military, and never once regretted serving his country before himself.

“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday’s success or put its failures behind and start over again. That’s the way life is, with a new game every day, and that’s the way baseball is.”
~ Bob Feller

Ask any adult you admire for their loyalty, service to country, respect, courage or commitment and you will most often find that someone modeled that behavior in their youth. We are all in a position to affect change in the lives of youth.