The 5’8″, switch-hitting Felder won four straight minor league stolen-base titles from 1982 to ’85. The Brewers’ left fielder at the start of 1986, he pulled a hamstring in May and was disabled and sent down. As Milwaukee’s fourth outfielder in 1987, he stole 34 bases, and by 1989 his speed had won him regular work as the primary reserve in the Brewers outfield.
But Felder had become frustrated with his role, and in April 1991 he asked Milwaukee for his release. “Sitting behind Robin Yount for five years in enough,” he explained. “The guy is a great player and it doesn’t look like he’s ever going to retire.”
Hopeful to play a larger part on a contender, Felder signed with San Francisco. Yet while he was used often by manager Roger Craig he never won a permanent starting job. After signing a free-agent deal with Seattle in 1993, Felder hit just .211 for the Mariners and was sent to Houston with lefty Mike Hampton after the season for slugger Eric Anthony. He played sparingly for the Astros in ’94, his last year in the bigs.
