Our New Pete Alexander?
by Michael Riehn
Whiteyball Staff
Courtesy National Baseball Hall of Fame
The Cardinals won the National League pennant in 1926 and met the New York Yankees in the World Series. Grover Cleveland (Pete) Alexander had the greatest moment of his illustrious career. He pitched complete game victories in Games 2 and 6. Bob O’Farrell was his teamate on that squad. He recounted a story for the book “The Glory of Their Times”.
After the game six victory, Alexander went on a bender and was still feeling the effects when he went into the game to pitch. Alexander came to the game in the seventh inning of Game 7, after starter Jesse Haines developed a blister, with the Cardinals ahead 3-2, the bases loaded and two outs. Facing Yankee slugger Tony Lazzeri, Alexander struck him out and then held the Yankees scoreless for two more innings to preserve the win and give St. Louis the championship.
- In 1926, the Cubs sold Pete Alexander to the Cardinals for the waiver price. He was 39.
- In 2009, the Red Sox put John Smoltz on waivers at the end of the season and the Cardinals paid the prorated portion of the major league minimum salary. He is 42.
Two Hall of Fame Pitchers picked up off of (or after they clear) waivers by the Cardinals. Will they both end up with World Series rings with the club? Hopefully they won’t take the same track to get there, but the team getting Smoltz reminded me of this great moment in Cardinal history.
Filed Under: Baseball
About the Author: I am a Cardinal fan, from a small town in Missouri and grew up listening to the Whiteyball teams of the 1980s (but still love the Tony LaRussa version). Currently living outside of St. Louis, I am a partial season ticket holder with a great group of friends.
I hold the position of Director of Sales and Marketing for a hydraulic press manufacturer and serve on a local youth baseball board of directors. Follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/mriehn
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