The legendary Hall of Fame Pitcher, Grover Cleveland Alexander was born on this day in 1887.
'Pete' pitched for the Phillies, Cubs and Cardinals from 1911--1930. He still holds the record for most career shutouts by a National League pitcher with 90 and is tied with Christy Mathewson for most wins by a National League pitcher with 373. He was 6 x National League wins leader, 4 x ERA leader, 6 x strikeout leader and was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1938.
His most impressive feat was in the 1926 World Series after winning two games, he was forced to come into Game 7 in the 7th inning and bases loaded for the Yankees with Tony Lazzeri at bat. He struck out Lazzeri and pitched a scoreless 8th and 9th inning to secure the 1926 World Series for the Cardinals. It was found out after the game that Alexander was drunk while pitching in the 7th game. This was a scene made famous in the movie The Winning Team where former President Ronald Reagan played Alexander.
He was an all-time great and well deserving of the Baseball Birthday Quote of The Day.
"I'd rather him pitch a crucial game for me drunk than anyone I've ever know sober. He was that good."
--Rogers Hornsby, talking about Grover Cleveland Alexander
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