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| Perched among the much heralded names of Cy Young
and Walter Johnson sits the name of Grover Cleveland Alexander. While
overcoming the setbacks of epilepsy, hearing loss, and double vision,
the man they called "Old Pete" compiled 373 victories, ranking third
behind Young and Johnson. In 1911, Alexander broke into the majors
in Philadelphia with style, going 28-13 with 31 complete games, 7
shutouts, and a 2.56 ERA. In 1915, he led the Phillies to the World
Series with a 31-10 record and a 1.22 ERA, the ninth lowest single
season ERA in history. In 1917, following three straight 30-plus winning
seasons, Alexander was traded to the Chicago Cubs. He pitched for
Chicago for seven years, winning over ten games in each one of them.
After his release from the Cubs in 1926, the St. Louis Cardinals took
a gamble and signed the 39-year-old right-hander. It turned out to
be a bargain as he led the Cardinals to clinch the 1926 World Series
against the Yankees. He also accomplished his major league high by
his 7th inning strikeout against Yankees' Tony Lazzeri with bases
loaded. In 1930, Alexander ended his career with the Phillies. Even
though his career ended back where it began, "Old Pete" had traveled
a long way in becoming one of the greatest pitchers ever. His accomplishments
were rewarded with his election to baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1938. |
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