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A wonderful colorization by our friend Don Stokes, here on your left is Cleveland’s ace Bob Feller and on your right is the great Satchel Paige, now a Cleveland Indian and finally after all these years, pitching in the Major Leagues.
Arguably we’re looking at the two best throwers from the 1930’s and 1940’s talking shop in the dugout. Later that night Rapid Robert would hit the mound against the Chicago White Sox and would throw well enough to earn his ninth win of the season as the Tribe pounded the Sox 10-2.
Two nights later on July 9th against the St Louis Browns, the 42-year-old rookie Paige would come in relief in the sixth inning for his MLB debut, one that should have taken place decades before. He would relieve starter Bob Lemon, who had a rough time against the Sad Sack Browns in giving up four earned runs in four innings and left trailing 4-1.
And Paige would throw two innings of scoreless ball in giving up two hits and striking out one. Both hits were singles that led off each inning, but both times Paige would buckle down and leave the runners stranded.
For the year Feller finished with a 19-15 record and a 3.56 ERA and for the seventh time in his career he would lead the Majors in strikeouts with 164.
Paige would throw 72 innings in 21 appearances and make seven starts and post a 6-1 record and a 2.48 ERA, good for second best on the staff.
The Indians as a team would take the Amercian League pennant and in the World Series, led by brilliant pitching from the Tribe staff, beat the Boston Braves in six games and winning their first title since 1920.
-Ron A. Bolton
There is no question who the teacher was here.