Grover Cleveland Alexander

Grover Cleveland Alexander (February 26, 1887 – November 4, 1950) was an American professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1911 through 1930. Nicknamed "Old Pete" and "Alexander the Great," he pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, the Chicago Cubs, and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Alexander was born in Elba, Nebraska, one of eight children of William Alexander and Martha "Maggie" Cootey. His father was a Democrat, and because Alexander was born during the first term of President Grover Cleveland, also a Democrat, his parents named him for the president. He attended the schools of Elba and St. Paul and graduated from St. Paul High School in 1909. After completing his education, he 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 1909, he played for the Galesburg Boosters in the Class D Illinois–Missouri League, going 15–8 with a 1.36 earned run average.

In 1938, Alexander was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.