Best all-time player for each MLB team
Cleveland Indians: Bob Feller
Bob Feller was one of the youngest players in MLB history when he made his debut in 1936 at the age of 17. Feller signed out of high school at the age of 16 after allegedly striking out 361 batters in only 157 innings for a semi-pro team. He was in the big leagues less than a year later, making his debut at the age of 17. In his first career start on August 23, 1936, Feller struck out 15 in a complete game. In his fifth MLB start, Feller struck out 17. The legend of Rapid Robert would only grow from there.
Feller had the best fastball in baseball at his peak, but he did not pitch at a time when pitchers piled up astronomical strikeout numbers. In fact, he never actually struck out more than a batter per inning over the course of a full season. Feller threw three no-hitters for the Indians and is the only pitcher to ever throw one on Opening Day. With the Indians, he led the league in wins six times and in strikeouts seven times. His 348 strikeouts in 1946 were a modern era record, which has since been surpassed by Sandy Koufax, Nolan Ryan, and Randy Johnson.
Feller was the first MLB star to volunteer to serve in World War II, and he lost three years from the prime of his career. Ultimately, he would finish with 266 career wins. His service cost him a chance to join the 300-win club. The many innings and complete games Feller threw before the age of 20 eventually took their toll on his arm, and he was not a dominant pitcher into his thirties. He is still remembered as one of the best pitchers of the 1940s and one of the nicest human beings ever to play in the big leagues.