Feller vs. Waddell: The Debate Over Strikeout Records in 1946 Baseball
The article discusses Bob Feller's achievement of striking out 348 batters during the 1946 American League season and whether this surpassed Rube Waddell's long-standing record of 343 set in 1904. Feller, a pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, garnered significant attention for his performance, which was recorded in "The Little Red Book," recognized as the unofficial record keeper for baseball statistics. However, the authenticity of Waddell's original record was questioned due to inconsistencies found in various newspaper reports and records. These discrepancies suggested that Waddell may have had 349 strikeouts instead of 343. Despite this, the American League officials maintained that until more definitive proof was provided, Waddell's established total of 343 would stand. Earl J. Hilliard, the league's chief statistician, clarified their stance by stating they couldn't change records without incontrovertible evidence.