CLEVELAND -- Teenage pitching sensation, World War II hero, outspoken Hall of Famer and local sports treasure. Bob Feller was all of them.

One of a kind, he was an American original.

Blessed with a right arm that earned the Iowa farmboy the nickname "Rapid Robert" and made him one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, Feller, who left baseball in the prime of his career to fight for his country, died Wednesday night. He was 92.

Feller, who won 266 games in 18 seasons -- all with the Indians -- died at 9:15 p.m. of acute leukemia at a hospice, said Bob DiBiasio, the Indians vice president of public relations.

Remarkably fit until late in life, Feller had suffered serious health setbacks in recent months. He was diagnosed with leukemia in August, and while undergoing chemotherapy, he fainted and his heart briefly stopped. Eventually, he had a pacemaker implanted.

In November, he was hospitalized with pneumonia and recently released into hospice care.

Even as his health deteriorated, Feller continued doing what he loved most -- attending Indians games deep into last season.

"Nobody lives forever and I've had a blessed life," Feller said in September. "I'd like to stay on this side of the grass for as long as I can, though. I'd really like to see the Indians win a World Series."

Bob Feller, who died Wednesday at 92, still attended Indians games last season. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Feller, in fact, was part of the rotation the last time the Indians won it all -- in 1948.

Fiercely proud and patriotic, Feller's life was much like one of his overpowering fastballs. He seemed unstoppable, whether on the mound or in conversation. Feller, who broke into the majors at the tender age of 17, could always bring the heat.

"Bob Feller is gone. We cannot be surprised," Indians owner Larry Dolan said in a statement. "Yet, it seems improbable. Bob has been such an integral part of our fabric, so much more than an ex-ballplayer, so much more than any Cleveland Indians player. He is Cleveland, Ohio.

"To say he will be missed is such an understatement. More to the point, he will not be missed because he will always be with us," he said.

The center field flag at Progressive Field was lowered to half staff on Thursday, and ballpark crews hung red, white and blue memorial banners marking Feller's career and highlighting his Navy service. Fans placed memorials, including a bag of sunflower seeds, at the base of the ballpark's Feller statue.

Flags also flew at half-staff Thursday at the Bob Feller Museum in Feller's hometown of Van Meter, Iowa, a short drive west of Des Moines.

Feller was part of a vaunted Indians' rotation in the 1940s and '50s with fellow Hall of Famers Bob Lemon and Early Wynn. He finished with 2,581 career strikeouts, led the American League in strikeouts seven times, pitched three no-hitters -- including the only one on Opening Day -- and recorded a jaw-dropping 12 one-hitters.

Feller's win total remains a Cleveland team record, one that seems almost untouchable in today's free-agent era. His numbers would no doubt have been even greater had his career not been interrupted by World War II.