bob feller is in my hall of famer collection

it's not too often that you pull a card signed by a hall of famer from a pack of cards, but i've done so a few times now.  one of the earliest was in 2001 when i found this bob feller card in a pack of topps archives:

here's the back:

feller's career ended in 1956, so he was one that i only knew about from books and old footage.  he lost 3+ seasons in his mid-20's to service during world war ii, ultimately falling short of the two main pitching counting stats with 266 wins and 2,581 strikeouts. i think it is safe to say that he would have hit 300 wins and 3,000 strikeouts if not for the military service.  still, when feller retired, he was number 3 on the all-time strikeout list behind only walter johnson and cy young.

feller was a friend to collectors as he was a generous signer, and his museum in his hometown of van meter, iowa hosted many signing events. he even came up to twinsfest a time or two, and i was mightily disappointed when i decided not to attend in 2011 and later found out that his museum hosted none other than steve garvey at the event.

feller's presence in my hall of famer collection definitely falls under the umbrella of being a fan of the game. that and convenience, i suppose.

here's my hall of famer collection as its been documented so far:

babe ruth - 2003 topps tribute world series edition world series tribute relic 351/425:

bob feller - 2001 topps archives

jackie robinson - 2004 topps clubhouse collection clubhouse relics

hank aaron - 2004 topps originals 1979 topps all-time record holders rbi 03/32:

pete rose* - 2018 panini flawless legendary signatures 15/25

you can find the full list of hall of famers (and some not - yet) that i aim to include in this collection at my want list site.

*not currently a member of the hall of fame