Whiten leads 'Fellers' at Hall of Fame Classic

[June 22, 2010]  COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) -- Fireballer Bob Feller's ceremonial first pitch bounced before it reached home plate.

That's OK, though. The 91-year-old Hall of Famer still received the only standing ovation at the Hall of Fame Classic on Sunday.

"I think I joined the politicians. They always bounce it," Feller said in his inimitable, teasing way. "No sport would be in existence without the fans. The fans make the game. They pay their way, pay the salaries.

"I appreciate being invited back. I hope to be here next year, but we'll take one year at a time."

Feller again made the 7 1/2-hour drive from Ohio with his wife to Doubleday Field, and this time he's staying a little longer than usual. He'll be in this picturesque village for five days to film portions of a documentary being made about his life.

Feller was inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 1962 following a stellar career with the Cleveland Indians.

The old-timers' Classic began last year on Father's Day, replacing the Hall of Fame Game which ended after nearly seven decades.

The game drew a crowd of over 7,000, with most of the seats at the old ballpark filled on a sunny day just right for baseball.

While Feller was a big hit, a few former power hitters were back, too.

"I've played on Father's Day almost my whole life," said Jeff Kent, who holds the major league record for home runs by a second baseman (351). "So I enjoy trying to create an opportunity for other families to come out on Father's Day. You get dads bringing their sons. If I can be a part of making somebody else's day, I'm all for it. It's cool for me."

Kent won the pregame hitting contest a year ago and was back to defend his title. That was only one of the reasons he returned.

"The reason why I wanted to come back was because I get to see some other Hall of Famers, learn more about their personalities," Kent said. "And it's easy to be more open, be carefree with your personality. You don't have to put your game face on. I'm hoping some of the fans see the same thing. New experiences and new traditions will be started."

Feller and former Minnesota Twins slugger Harmon Killebrew served as honorary captains and were joined by fellow Hall of Famers Gary Carter, Goose Gossage, Phil Niekro, Rollie Fingers, and Ozzie Smith, along with 20 other former major league players in a seven-inning game.

Fingers, the 1981 American League Cy Young and Most Valuable Player Award winner, still wears his familiar handlebar mustache, though it's now mostly gray.

"I just hope nobody gets hurt," Fingers said before the game. "Lots of these guys, you put on some weight after you get out of the game, but mine (uniform) still fits. It's OK. I throw just as hard, it just doesn't get there as fast."

It sure didn't on this day. In his first game at Doubleday Field, Whiten hit a pair of home runs to lead the Fellers past the Killebrews 9-0. The first was a line shot into the bleachers in left center off Fingers, who raised his arms in appreciation. Robby Hisert, a player for the Military All-Stars, also homered.

Kent, who retired before the 2009 season, wowed the crowd in the pregame hitting contest, effortlessly hitting four straight home runs to left field in the opening round to beat Kevin Bass and Bill Madlock and join Whiten in the finals.

Whiten, one of only 15 major leaguers to hit four home runs in one game, won it when Kent conceded after hitting a pitch off the end of his bat.

"I think I'm done," said the 43-year-old Whiten, who attributed his hitting prowess to a couple of extra slices of pizza.

He wasn't, and he also fielded his position in center field with the flair of somebody still playing every day.

"I just managed to get it out of the ballpark," said Whiten, named the game's most valuable player. "This is what it's all about."

"It's a wonderful feeling," Killebrew added as he saluted the fans. "This is where baseball lives."

[Associated Press; By JOHN KEKIS]

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