Monday Inspiration - The GOAT

Today's inspiration comes from one of the toughest and most talented athletes of all time, in any sport.

Born to an unwed mother in 1925 and immediately abandoned, he quickly landed in an adoption family and became Myrle Vernon King. He lived through poverty and tragedy, dealing with abuse and taunting until he was a teenager, when he made friends with a new kid in town who introduced him to fast-pitch softball. By sixteen he was pitching six nights a week, and winning every game by striking out the side. But instead of all this helping him deal with his private life, he developed an obnoxious attitude and got banned by all the leagues he played in. He joined the Marines in 1942 but things got worse and he almost died in a training accident, which led to an extended stay in "a place for quackoes" as he called it and his eventual release from the Marines.

He was told to try and find his real mother to resolve some of his issues, and when he tracked her down, she welcomed him with open and loving arms. He quickly settled down a bit and even changed his name - taking his mother's last name and a new first name in memory of a friend who had died.

Not long after, a snide remark in a bar led to a "dare" and Eddie Feigner took to the field with three friends in a softball game. The mouthy opponents didn't stand a chance as Eddie pitched a perfect game, striking out every batter but two.

Excited by their success, the four-man team worked on refining their game and slowly developed an old-school barnstorming ball team, entertaining fans and overpowering (and impressing) every team they played. Their big break came at the end of a disastrous trip to Florida where their last appearance somehow attracted over 4,000 fans. In the crowd was a promoter from the Canadian National Exhibition who immediately signed them to a weeklong run in Toronto. Eddie Feigner and The King and his Court had reached the big time.

For the next SIXTY years, Eddie Feigner played in over 10,000 games in over one hundred countries around the world. That included 9,743 victories, 141,517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters, and 238 perfect games. He allowed TWO home runs in his entire career and typically pitched in some 250 games in his annual seven-month summer ball season. He raised money and donated to charities at EVERY stop along the way, focusing in particular on support for veterans. He truly brought joy, entertainment, and fun to everyone every time he stepped on the field.

I personally had the pleasure of seeing the King and His Court many years ago, and I can report on what a thrill it was to watch him strike out batters from second base, behind his back, with a blindfold on.

Eddie, you got my vote for the Greatest Of All Time.

Have a great week.
See you on the diamond.

​Michael Gauthier