BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE
MESA HISTORICAL MUSEUM
AND
THE CLASS OF 2023
Bob Feller
Born on November 3, 1918 in Van Meter, Iowa, Bob Feller pitched for the Cleveland Indians from 1936-1956, with a three-year break for military service during World War II. The righthander made his Major League debut at age 17 on July 19, 1936. Feller was the ace of the Tribe's pitching staff when Cleveland moved its spring training base to Tucson in 1947, becoming a founding member of the Cactus League. "Rapid Robert" pitched for Cleveland's 1948 World Series champion and was an eight-time All-Star. Feller led the American League in strikeouts seven times and is Cleveland's all-time leader in wins (266), strikeouts (2,581) and complete games (279).
Rollie Fingers
Born on August 25, 1946 in Steubenville, Ohio, Rollie Fingers spent his entire 17-year career with Cactus League teams (Oakland Athletics, 1968-1976; San Diego Padres, 1977-1980; and Milwaukee Brewers, 1981-1985). A righthanded relief ace, Fingers won the American League Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player Award with the Brewers in 1981. He also led his league in saves three times and amassed 341 career saves,15th on the all-time Major League Baseball list. With his recognizable handlebar mustache, Fingers was a mainstay on Oakland's dynasty, helping lead the Athletics to three straight World Series titles from 1972-1974.
Reggie Jackson
Born on May 18, 1946 in Abington, Pennsylvania, Reggie Jackson enrolled at Arizona State University on a football scholarship in 1964 but soon switched his allegiance to baseball and was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in 1967. After the club moved to Oakland, Jackson become a key part of the Athletics' three-year run of World Series titles from 1972-1974. In 1973, he won the American League Most Valuable Player Award. Jackson left Oakland in 1975 but returned to the Cactus League for five season with the California Angels (1982-1986) and retired with Oakland in 1987. Dubbed "Mr.October" for his World Series heroics, Jackson was a 14-time All Star and hit 563 home runs.
Randy Johnson
Born on September 10,1963 in Walnut Creek, California, Randy Johnson is one of the most dominant lefthanded pitchers in Major League Baseball history. Standing at 6 ft 10 in, the "Big Unit" recorded 4,875 career strikeouts, most among lefties and second only to Nolan Ryan in MLB annals. Johnson pitched for three Cactus League teams (Seattle Mariners, 1989-1998; Arizona Diamondbacks, 1999-2004, 2007-2008; and San Francisco Giants, 2009). Johnson led the Diamondbacks to their only world title in 2001, earning World Series MVP honors. He won five Cy Young Awards, including four straight with Arizona from 1999-2002. Johnson retired with 303 career victories.