 In 1948 , the Indians had one of their finest seasons , though Feller experienced a season that had more ups and downs . Feller was selected to represent the AL All @-@ Stars for the seventh time in his career in the 1948 All @-@ Star Game but declined to play , feeling that his performance did not warrant selection as an All @-@ Star . At one point he was winless for a month , and by July 22 , his record was 9 – 12 . Lou Boudreau , the Indians ' player @-@ manager , declared " we sink or swim with Feller " , and continued to pick him . Feller proceeded to go 10 – 3 for the remainder of his appearances to finish the season with a record of 19 – 15 , a league @-@ leading 164 strikeouts , and a 3 @.@ 56 ERA . The Indians won a one @-@ game playoff against the Boston Red Sox to determine the team to represent the AL in the World Series ; it was the first time the team had won the pennant since the 1920 season . 
