Grover Cleveland Alexander

Grover Cleveland Alexander (February 26, 1887 – November 4, 1950), nicknamed "Old Pete", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He played from 1911 through 1930 for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals. He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938. Early life Alexander was born in Elba, Nebraska One of eight children born to William Alexander and Martha "Maggie" Cootey. His father was a Democrat, and Alexander was born during the first term of President Grover Cleveland, a Democrat, so his parents named him for Cleveland. Alexander attended the schools of Elba and St. Paul, and graduated from St. Paul High School in 1909. After completing his education, Alexander was employed digging postholes for the Howard County Telephone Company. Alexander played semi-professional baseball in his youth, signing his first professional contract at age 20 in 1907 for $50 per month ($ in current dollar terms). In 1909, he played for the Galesburg Boosters in the Class D Illinois–Missouri League and went 15–8 that year with a 1.36 ERA. His career was almost ended when he was struck by a thrown ball while baserunning. Although this ended his 1909 season, he recovered by 1910 to become a star pitcher again, finishing with a 29–11 record for the Syracuse Stars in the Class B New York State League, before being sold to the Philadelphia Phillies for $750 ($ in current dollar terms). Major League Baseball career