Passing of a "King"

While this is not a local story, I just couldn't help but take notice when I saw this AP-published obituary for Eddie Feigner, the "King of Softball" who toured with "The King and His Court" group for 50+ years, performing Harlem Globetrotters-style exhibitions..

Perhaps I'm showing my age, or just general lack of awareness, but I never heard of this spunky gentleman. But reading about his achievements in the world of softball really opened my eyes. Mind you, I realize that the following statistics for Mr. Feigner were compiled during his days of barnstorming, which involves notoriously unofficial records, but take a look at these numbers:

• 930 no-hitters thrown
• 238 perfect games
• 141,517 strikeouts
• 10,000+ games played
• Struck out Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills, Harmon Killebrew, Roberto Clemente, and Brooks Robinson all in a row on a nationally televised exhibition game

Wowzers. And to think that the Phils never went after this guy to figure out a way for him to play some pro ball and bring home a World Series. For God's sakes he had to have been better than Mitch Williams in the bottom of the 9th inning against Toronto, even if "the King" would have been in his late 60s at the time.

(See, I tied it all back into the Philly sports scene nice and neatly. Dang, it's tough being this good.)

(Note to Mitch Williams: sorry to single you out here, but unfortunately you provided the best example as to why this town is so jinxed with winning. Thanks in advance for being a sport about it. Carry on.)