 Upon arrival in Cleveland after his discharge , Feller was honored with a civic luncheon on August 24 , 1945 , with more than 1 @,@ 000 people in attendance at the Carter Hotel . Feller said to the crowd : " The real heroes didn 't come home . " Later that day , the city held a parade and Feller was the starting pitcher in the Indians ' game against the Detroit Tigers . Feller allowed four hits in the game and earned a win in the Indians ' 4 – 2 victory . " I was so tired from all the receptions I didn 't know if I could finish the game " , Feller said . For the 1945 season , he appeared in nine games and notched a 5 – 3 record with 59 strikeouts and 2 @.@ 50 ERA . 
