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Grover Cleveland “Pete” Alexander Sets the Record Straight About 1926 World Series!
Was “Old Pete” Alexander Nursing A Hangover In The Bullpen??
“Less than a foot made the difference between a hero and a bum.” -Pete Alexander, speaking of Tony Lazzeri’s long and barely foul shot during the 1926 World Series, before Alex struck him out.
There’s always been a lot of speculation over the decades as to whether or not “Old Pete” Alexander was nursing a hangover in the bullpen when manager Rogers Hornsby called him into Game Seven in the seventh inning to face Tony Lazzeri with the game – and the World Series – on the line. Before I attempt to answer that question, here’s a little background information:
The Classic 1926 World Series
The exciting 1926 Fall Classic between the Cardinals and the Yankees was won by the Redbirds four games to three. This was the first World Series appearance for the Cardinals; while the Yanks were making their fourth in six years.
The Series had many notable moments, including Pete Alexander successfully closing out the Yankees in Game Seven. Others include Babe Ruth’s record-setting three home runs in Game Four (including his dramatic home run for little Johnny Sylvester), and a fourth home run in Game Seven.
With the Yankees ahead three games to two after five games, Cardinals’ player-manager Rogers Hornsby chose Grover Cleveland “Old Pete” Alexander to start Game Six, which he won in a lopsided 10-2 complete-game victory. This was Alexander’s second complete game of the Series. He won Game Two, a 6-2 four-hitter.
“Old Pete” To the Rescue!
Then in the decisive Game Seven, Hornsby called upon him again, this time in relief of Jesse Haines in the top of the seventh inning with the game on the line. Hornby’s gamble paid off. With two outs and the bases loaded, the Cardinals were clinging to a precarious 3-2 lead with the dangerous future Hall-of-Famer Tony Lazzeri striding to the plate. There’s always been debate as to whether Alexander was sleeping off a hangover when Hornsby made the call. With two complete games under his belt, the 38-year old former Phillie and Cub star had done his share and wasn’t expecting to be needed.
Rudely stirred awake from his bullpen “siesta” (“Pete, wake up…Rajah wants ya…now!!”), he was thrust into the most climactic moment of the entire Series. God only knows what was going through his mind as he sauntered in from the pen with his slow, deliberate strides…
Pete settled in on the mound. Yankee fans held their breath as Lazzeri hit a long drive that just curved foul and nearly left the park [see quote above]. Recovering from this close shave with disaster, Pete reached back to deliver whatever was left in his tank. Exuberant relief soon followed for the Cardinals as Pete struck out the dangerous Lazzeri. The Cardinals were out of the inning!
The confrontation soon became one of the most storied in all of World Series lore. Pete then proceeded to retire the Yankees over the next two innings without a run to preserve the win. Old Pete had come through one more time!
Was He Or Wasn’t He?
Was he nursing a hangover when he got the call? That seems to be the consensus over the years. But I’ve often wondered if Alex himself had ever commented about the incident. With a little searching, I found that he did. Some years after he had retired, he gave an interview to sportswriter Gerry Hern. I wasn’t able to determine the date of the interview, but it appeared in Baseball Digest in 1951 a year after Alex died. Here’s what he had to say about it:
“I don’t want to spoil anyone’s story, but I was cold sober that night. There were plenty of other nights before or since that I have not been sober…but the night before I struck out Lazzeri, I was as sober as a judge should be.”
“Let me tell you what happened. I was leaving the locker room after throwing a complete game in the sixth game, and Hornsby came over and slapped me on the back. He said, ‘You were great today and I suppose you want to celebrate. But don’t do it. I may need you tomorrow.’ And as sure as I’m sitting here I went back to my room at the Hotel Ansonia that night and didn’t leave it – and I didn’t celebrate either.”
So from Pete’s own mouth, we learn he was cold sober when he came into that game and struck out Lazzeri. That should put to rest the speculation as to whether or not he was nursing a hangover in the bullpen when he got the call to face Lazzeri. That is, if we can take what Pete says about it at face value!
Alexander’s Hall-of-Fame Career
Pete Alexander’s 90 shutouts are a National League record and his 373 wins are tied with Christy Mathewson for first in the National League. He is also third all-time in wins, tenth in innings pitched, and second in shutouts. He ranked number 12 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, and was a nominee for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Alexander was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1938, the third year of the Hall.
Gary Livacari
Information: Excerpts and quotes edited from 1951 article by sportswriter Gerry Hern that appeared in Baseball Digest.
