They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To

Rapid Robert Feller very well may have been one of the greatest baseball pitchers of all time.  He was a great ballplayer and a great American.  He was, by all measures, already a major league baseball star when in 1941 he became the first MLB player to volunteer for military service.  Not only that, he was the first professional athlete in ANY sport to volunteer for service during World War II.  He also requested combat duty.

Bob Feller later came back to assemble an undeniable Hall of Fame career after four years of Naval service.  He was also incredibly respected by his peers, and was elected as the first president of the MLB Players Association.  He was business savvy as well, and was the first athlete to incorporate himself.  I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Feller later in his life at a card show.  He was a consumate gentleman and took a ton of time talking to me.  He personalized a card for me, and it'll never leave my collection.  A treasured momento from one of the greatest players, and people in baseball history.