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Pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander Reflects on His Amazing Baseball Career
The MLB legend was known as a man of few words but gave an interesting interview near the end of his career
Grover “Pete” Alexander is among the greatest pitchers to ever toe a rubber. The right-hander compiled one of the most impressive resumes in baseball history despite battling alcoholism and epilepsy. As he was approaching the end of his marvelous 20-year big-league career, which ultimately resulted in his induction in the Hall of Fame, he gave an interview where he was especially reflective on his accomplishments.
Alexander was a combined 373–208 with a 2.56 ERA while pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals (1911–1930). He led the National League in wins six times, ERA five times and strikeouts six times. If a Cy Young Award existed at the time, there is little doubt he would have taken it home multiple times. He also played in three World Series, including a legendary performance in the 1926 Fall Classic, which resulted in his only title.
BY 1929, he was 42 and in his second-to-last season — pitching for the Cardinals. He spoke at length with George Kirksey of the United Press in an interview that appeared in The Pittsburgh Press on May 6th.
