 In the 1956 season , Feller started four games and appeared in 15 others , and finished with an 0 – 4 record and career @-@ worst 4 @.@ 97 ERA . The Indians held " Bob Feller Night " on September 9 , and he appeared in his last major league game on September 30 . After the season , speculation mounted regarding whether Feller would retire as a player . In December 1956 , Feller told The Plain Dealer : " I will return to Cleveland later this week and plan to confer with Hank Greenberg before Christmas . I hope to reach a decision at that time . " Greenberg had also offered Feller his release or a job with the Indians in their front office . Greenberg said , " We sincerely want Feller to remain with us . As far as I 'm concerned , there will always be a job waiting for Bob in the Cleveland organization . " On December 28 Feller officially retired from the Indians as a player to continue his work selling insurance . Announcing his retirement , Feller said , " I could have gone with a couple other ball clubs , but anything I might have done with them would have taken the edge off the success I have had with the Cleveland club the last 20 years . " He continued , " What if I did pitch another year , so what ? I would have to come to the decision I am making now , some time . " 
