13 Photos Remembering The World's Greatest Softball Team From 1945 - 2000

Who is the greatest athlete of all time? The answer might surprise you.

Published 4 days ago in Ftw

Who is the greatest athlete of all time? Michael Jordan? Wayne Gretzky? Simone Biles?

All great picks, but what if I told you that the greatest athlete to ever live was a U.S. Marine Corps. softball pitcher from Walla Walla, Washington?

Eddie "The King" Feigner began dominating softball opponents in the 1940s and didn't stop until he suffered a stroke in 2000.

Fielding a team of just four players, (the smallest number you can realistically have in a lineup), "The King and His Court" challenged any and all softball teams around the world for almost 60 years. In that time, Feigner threw 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games in over 9,000 wins. He allowed just three home runs next to 141,517 strikeouts.

Often pitching blindfolded, from second base, or any number of other gimmicks, Feigner always prioritized spectacle and fan experience over his own accomplishments.

Eddie Feigner passed away in 2007 at the age of 81.

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Delivering a pitch.

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Feigner once struck out Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Maury Wills, and Harmon Killebrew in succession.

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The King and His Court modeled their business after the Harlem Globetrotters.
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A former minor leaguer and college world series player who traveled as Eddie's shortstop.

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It is said that Feigner could throw the softball 104 mph, and hit football field goal posts from 100 yards away.
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Feigner often pitched blindfolded or from well behind the mound. However, he also stated that "When a man steps up to the plate, we have nothing but respect for him."
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The team played well over 200 games each season.

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Feigner played all over the country, often prioritizing military bases and donating ticket sales to charities.
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John Bateman was a former major league catcher and hit over 350 home runs as part of the Court.
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Sponsored by Miller.