Indians and fans remember Bob Feller

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

As Indians players past and present filed quietly into pews along with baseball fans to celebrate the extraordinary life of a one-of-a-kind legend and cherished civic treasure, the church’s organ filled the space with a familiar tune.

“Take Me Out To The Ballgame” sounded sublime.

For Bob Feller, it was the perfect choice.

Much more than a Hall of Fame pitcher to generations of Cleveland fans, Feller was honored Thursday during a touching 75-minute tribute at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where grounds were blanketed with fresh spring snow on the eve of the Indians’ season opener.

The ceremony, which was open to the public, was at times humorous, deeply moving and so befitting Feller, who died on Dec. 15 at age 92.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Indians owner Larry Dolan were among the speakers who eulogized Feller, Cleveland’s famed No. 19 who spent all 18 seasons of a career he dutifully interrupted to serve his country with the Indians and remains the club’s leader in several pitching categories.

Described as “a man of the people,” “a real life hero” and “like nobody before him or since,” Feller is and will forever be the greatest Indian of them all.

Indians manager Manny Acta was joined at the service by team president Mark Shapiro, general manager Chris Antonetti and current Cleveland players Shin-Soo Choo, Travis Hafner, Chris Perez and Justin Masterson. Former Indians manager Mike Hargrove, All-Star catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. and Andre Thornton sat among fans, some of them wearing Cleveland jerseys and jackets, who saluted the iconic Feller.

The altar was adorned with a photo of Feller and an American flag from the USS Alabama, the battleship Feller served on.