Cardinals manager Rogers
Hornsby (pictured right) greets Alexander after
he was released by the Cubs.
Grover
Cleveland Alexander Strikes Out Tony Lazzeri
Grover Cleveland Alexander was the winningest pitcher
in National League history with 373 wins (tied with
Christy Mathewson) in a career that spanned twenty
years (1911-1930).
But he was a hard drinker and was difficult to tolerate
as is indicated by this letter sent to him by Chicago
Cubs manager Joe McCarthys during the 1926 season.
After the Cubs let Alexander go, Rogers Hornsby,
player-manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, thought
“Alex” would be an asset to his team.
The Cards ended up in the World Series that year
facing the tough "Murderer's Row" line-up
of the Yankees that would intimidate baseball for
years to come.
In the seventh game of the Series, with the Cardinals
winning 3-2, and the bases loaded with Yankee slugger
Tony Lazzeri at the plate, Hornsby brought Alexander
in to pitch. Many said Alex had liquor on his breath
from the night before though he denied it.
With the Series on the line, Alexander struck
Lazzeri out, preserving the Cardinals lead. They
went on to win the game and the Series. This incredibly
rare letter, written by Alexander reveals what pitch
he threw that struck out Lazzeri. He also writes
about his greatest seasons in baseball.
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