Grover Alexander

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Lore & Background

Alexander was born in Elba, Nebraska, one of eight children. He attended schools in Elba and St. Paul, graduating from St. Paul High School in 1909. He played semi-professional baseball, signing his first professional contract in 1907. In 1909, he played for the Galesburg Boosters and went 15–8 with a 1.36 ERA. His career was nearly ended when he was struck by a thrown ball while baserunning, ending his 1909 season, but he recovered to go 29–11 for the Syracuse Stars in 1910 before being sold to the Phillies. Alexander made his Phillies debut on March 11, 1911 in a pre-season game, and his official Major League debut on April 15, 1911. In his rookie year, he led the league with 28 wins, 31 complete games, 367 innings pitched, and seven shutouts. From 1912 to 1921, he led the league in ERA four times (1915–16, 1919, 1920), wins five times (1914–17, 1920), innings six times (1912, 1914–17, 1920), strikeouts six times (1912, 1914–1917, 1920), complete games five times (1914–1917, 1920), and shutouts five times (1915, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1921). He won the National League pitching Triple Crown in 1915, 1916, and 1920, and is sometimes credited with a fourth in 1917. In 1915, he led the Phillies to their first pennant and won his only World Series game (the opening game). After the 1917 season, the Phillies traded Alexander and catcher Bill Killefer to the Cubs. Alexander served in World War I, was exposed to mustard gas, and suffered partial hearing loss and epilepsy. He returned to the U.S. in April 1919. The Cubs sold him to the Cardinals in 1926. In the 1926 World Series, Alexander pitched complete game victories in Games 2 and 6, and in Game 7 he entered in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and two out, striking out Tony Lazzeri and holding the Yankees scoreless for two more innings to win the championship. He had one last 20-win season in 1927, then returned briefly to the Phillies in 1930. Alexander's 90 shutouts are a National League record, and his 373 wins are tied with Christy Mathewson for first in the National League. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1938. He died on November 4, 1950 in St. Paul, Nebraska.

In Their Own Story

The journey from a posthole digger in Howard County to baseball immortality began with a recommendation by future scout Patsy O'Rourke. In 1909, Alexander played for the Galesburg Boosters, posting a 15–8 record with a 1.36 ERA before a baserunning injury struck him down. He recovered by 1910 to post a 29–11 record for the Syracuse Stars, leading to his sale to the Philadelphia Phillies for $750 ($25,915 in current terms). O'Rourke received a $100 bonus and two tickets to the 1915 World Series as a reward. Alexander's debut on March 11, 1911, was a pre-season loss to the Birmingham Barons, but he quickly showcased his power by no-hitting the Athletics for five innings in the City Series on April 6 before his official April 15 debut. His rookie campaign shattered records with 28 wins and 367 innings pitched. The 1915 season marked a high point where he led the Phillies to their first pennant, pitching a record five one-hitters. However, the glory was shadowed by personal demons; the same year he won his first World Series game (the opener), he began battling alcohol that would haunt him for life. Later, after being traded to the Cubs and serving in WWI, he returned to baseball with physical scars from mustard gas and shell shock. His final major league victory came in August 1929, a moment the media initially celebrated as breaking Christy Mathewson's record, until it was later discovered Mathewson had an additional qualified win, resulting in a tie at 373.

Reader's Guide

Alexander's career spanned 1911–1930. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies (1911–1917, 1930), Chicago Cubs (1918–1926), and St. Louis Cardinals (1926–1929). He led the league in wins five times (1914–17, 1920). His favorite battery mate was catcher Bill Killefer, who joined the Phillies in 1911 and caught 250 of his games. Alexander won the 1915 World Series opening game for the Phillies. He was traded to the Cubs after 1917, then sold to the Cardinals in 1926. He struck out Tony Lazzeri in Game 7 of the 1926 World Series. He returned to the Phillies in 1930. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1938.

Did You Know?

• Alexander was named after President Grover Cleveland because his father was a Democrat and Cleveland was in office at the time of his birth.
• He led the National League in shutouts five times, including a single-season record of 16 in 1916.
• Alexander was portrayed by Ronald Reagan in the 1952 biographical film The Winning Team.
• He is the only player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938.