In 1996, Clemens reached two venerable milestones. He passed Bob Feller on the all-time strikeout list and struck out 20 batters in a game for the second time in his career. All the same, the Red Sox were convinced that Clemens was past his prime. Determined to prove them wrong, the 34-year-old right-hander signed with the Blue Jays and promptly led the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts each of the next two seasons -- becoming just the fourth hurler ever to win the Triple Crown of pitching in consecutive years. Clemens also earned two more Cy Young awards during his stay in Toronto, giving him a major-league record five for his career. Despite a sub-par season with the Yankees in 1999, Clemens pitched New York to series-clinching victories in the ALDS and World Series.
One of the premier strikeout artists of his era, Bob Feller set down 2,581 batters in his war-shortened career. Fifteen of those strikeouts came in his first game with the Cleveland Indians in 1936. He was just 17. In the years between 1938 and 1948 (excluding nearly four years spent in action in the Pacific, where he was awarded over a dozen honors), 'Rapid Robert' dominated the league with a fastball that left batters flailing and a curve that caught countless corners. His accolades during that period include seven strikeout titles, six twenty-win seasons, and three no-hitters. Feller was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962.
STUFF
STUFF
For a power pitcher, Clemens has excellent command of a variety of pitches. Blessed with not one but two rocket-fueled fastballs which still hit the high 90s on the radar gun, Clemens can also turn to a forkball, a curve, or a changeup to get hitters out. He’s willing to turn to any of his four pitches in any situation.
Feller’s fastball was legendary, but his biting curve was almost as dangerous. A hard slider rounded out a remarkable repertoire. What was the best strategy when it came to taking on Feller’s stuff? 'Go up and hit what you see,' Washington Senators manager Bucky Harris advised his batters, 'and if you don’t see it, come on back.'
CONTROL
CONTROL
Only once in his career has Clemens walked more than 100 batters; a testament to his outstanding command. His average of 66 walks a season is even more remarkable when one considers that Clemens rarely throws pitches down the middle of the plate, instead painting the corners. Even so, Clemens led the league with 14 hit batters in 1995.
A definite weakness in his early years, Feller led the league with 14 wild pitches in 1939. He walked 1,764 batters during his career, third on the all-time list. Ironically, his lack of control often helped him intimidate hitters and probably increased his strikeout totals.
DURABILITY
DURABILITY
Although Clemens doesn't pitch as many complete games as he used to, he can still chew up the innings. As intimidating to hitters in his mid-thirties as he was in his mid-twenties, "The Rocket" hasn't lost much zip on his fastball. Injuries have forced him onto the disabled list four times in his career, but each time he's bounced back without missing a beat. In 1999, the 37-year-old Clemens still managed 30 starts for the World Champion Yankees.
In his prime, Feller consistently led the league in games started and innings pitched. His 36 complete games in 1946 still stand as the most since Walter Johnson’s 38 in 1910. Unlike most power pitchers, Feller didn’t tire quickly during games or during seasons. Late in his career, Feller was still a valuable member of Cleveland’s pitching staff. At the age of 35, he compiled a 13-3 record for the pennant-winning Indians in 1954.
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