St. Paul in Howard County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Grover Cleveland Alexander

Photographed By Joan Shurtliff, October 5, 2014

1. Grover Cleveland Alexander Marker

Inscription. Grover Cleveland Alexander, the third winningest pitcher in major league baseball history, was born near Elba, Nebraska, on February 26, 1887. After pitching for local and minor league teams, Alexander signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. In 1911, his first season, he amassed twenty-eight victories, still a rookie record. In a career that included stints with the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, "Alexander the Great" compiled 373 victories; ninety shutouts, a National League record; and a major league record of sixteen shutouts in a season. Military service and bouts with epilepsy and alcoholism probably limited his career totals.

Renowned for pinpoint control, Alexander threw one of baseball's most famous strikeouts in the seventh game of the 1926 World Series. Pitching in relief for the Cardinals, the veteran righthander, then called "Old Pete," struck out the Yankees' Tony Lazerri with the bases loaded.

In 1938 Alexander was among the first thirteen inductees to baseball's Hall of Fame. He died in St. Paul, Nebraska, on November 4, 1950. In "The Winning Team," Alexander's 1952 film biography, the baseball immortal was portrayed by Ronald Reagan.

Erected by Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 317.)

Topics and series. This historical marker

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is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the Baseball Hall of Famers, the Former U.S. Presidents: #40 Ronald Reagan, and the Nebraska State Historical Society series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1919.

Location. 41° 12.815′ N, 98° 27.334′ W. Marker is in St. Paul, Nebraska, in Howard County. Marker is at the intersection of 4th Street, on the right when traveling west on 4th Street. This marker is located on the southeast corner of a city park in St. Paul. It used to be located at the junction of U.S. 281 and State Highway 92 just south of the town. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Paul NE 68873, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ed Fleming (a few steps from this marker); Howard County Courthouse (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery, Warsaw (approx. 6 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Grover Cleveland Alexander Statistics - MLB.com. (Submitted on October 14, 2014, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. National Baseball Hall of Fame - Grover Cleveland Alexander. (Submitted on October 14, 2014, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Grover Cleveland Alexander, Philadelphia NL image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bain News Service, 1912

2. Grover Cleveland Alexander, Philadelphia NL

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2017. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2014, by Joan Shurtliff of Seward, Nebraska. This page has been viewed 653 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on June 24, 2017, by Jim McGeorge of Butte, Nebraska. Photos: 1. submitted on October 12, 2014, by Joan Shurtliff of Seward, Nebraska. 2. submitted on October 14, 2014. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.