February 26: The Phillies First Superstar is Born

The Main Event

Grover Cleveland Alexander was born in Elba, Nebraska, and grew up in modest circumstances that shaped his quiet, self-reliant personality. Baseball was not an obvious career path for a farm kid from rural Nebraska, but Alexander’s natural arm strength and uncanny control quickly stood out. After a short stint in the minor leagues, he debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1911 and immediately looked like a finished product. He won 28 games as a rookie, an astonishing total even in the dead-ball era, and instantly became the foundation of the franchise.

From 1911 through 1917, Alexander was the most reliable pitcher in baseball. He was not overpowering in the modern sense, but his command was legendary. He worked quickly, hit his spots, and rarely walked hitters. Alexander led the National League in wins four times with the Phillies and topped the league in earned run average multiple times as well. His best season came in 1915, when he went 31–10 and led Philadelphia to its first National League pennant. That World Series loss to the Red Sox did little to diminish his reputation. By that point, Alexander was widely viewed as the game’s premier pitcher, a man who could be penciled in for 30 starts and 30 complete games without question.

Trades, and a second act
After the 1917 season, the Phillies sold his contract to the Chicago Cubs in a cost-cutting move that deeply upset fans. He continued to win with Chicago, but health problems began to surface. Epilepsy, which he kept largely hidden, affected his career, and alcohol became both a coping mechanism and a long-term burden. Despite these challenges, Alexander reinvented himself yet again with the St. Louis Cardinals in the mid-1920s. His defining moment came in the 1926 World Series, when he famously struck out Tony Lazzeri with the bases loaded to clinch Game 7. It remains one of the most dramatic moments in postseason history and perfectly captured Alexander’s toughness under pressure.

Personality and reputation
Alexander was a complicated man. Teammates often described him as quiet, private, and intensely competitive. He did not seek attention and seemed uncomfortable with praise, preferring to let his pitching speak for him. At the same time, he was deeply respected for his work ethic and willingness to take the ball whenever needed. Managers trusted him implicitly, knowing he would pitch through pain and fatigue without complaint. His personal struggles were real and ultimately shortened his career, but they also make his accomplishments more remarkable. Alexander was not just talented. He was resilient in a way few players have ever been.

In 1938, Grover Cleveland Alexander was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. His election came relatively early in the Hall’s history, reflecting the near-universal agreement about his place among the game’s greats. By the time he retired, Alexander had amassed 373 career wins, a total that still ranks among the highest in major league history. More than the numbers, though, his legacy is tied to consistency, control, and courage. He was the first true superstar pitcher in Phillies history and set a standard that the franchise chased for decades. Even now, when discussions turn to the greatest pitchers the game has ever seen, Alexander’s name belongs in the room, spoken with the kind of respect reserved for legends who earned everything the hard way.

Philadelphia Baseball Events for February 26

• February 26, 1943 — The Philadelphia Phillies hired veteran manager Bucky Harris. A future Hall of Famer as a player and manager, Harris took over the club during a difficult wartime period and managed the team for part of the 1943 season.
• February 26, 1954 — Phillies ace Robin Roberts signed a contract worth $40,000. At the time, Roberts was the cornerstone of the Phillies’ pitching staff and one of the most durable and dominant starters in baseball during the early 1950s.

MLB Events for February 26

• 1935 – The New York Yankees release longtime star outfielder Babe Ruth, freeing him to sign a $20,000 contract with the Boston Braves of the National League. Ruth’s new contract with the Braves also gives him a share of the team’s profits. In 1934, Ruth endured one of his worst seasons with the Yankees – at least by his lofty standards – with a .288 batting average, 22 home runs and 84 RBI. That season, he would play only 28 games for the Braves before announcing his retirement on June 2nd at the age of 40. Ruth will hit the final three home runs of his major league career on May 25th against the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving him a total of 714. His last home run will clear the right field grandstand at Forbes Field and will travel an estimated 600 feet.

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Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for February 26

• Grover Cleveland Alexander (born 1887) — Hall of Fame pitcher and one of the greatest in baseball history, Alexander debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1911 and became the franchise’s first true superstar, leading the club in wins and strikeouts for several seasons. He pitched for Philadelphia from 1911-1917 and then returned for his final MLB season in 1930.
• Cy Malis (born 1907) — Born in Philadelphia, Malis pitched one game for the Phillies in 1934 and allowed two earned runs in 3.2 innings for a 4.91 ERA.
• Ron Negray (born 1930) — Right-handed pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1955 and 1956, working as both a starter and reliever. He broke into the league with Brooklyn in 1952 and later pitched for the L.A. Dodgers in 1958.
• Scott Service (born 1967) — A right-handed reliever, Service came through the Phillies minor league system and debuted with the Phils in 1988, making five relief appearances with a 1.69 ERA. He signed with Montreal as a free agent following the 1990 season and after a stint in Japan returned to the states and pitched for Colorado, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Kansas City, Oakland, Arizona, and Toronto. Made 337 relief appearances and one start over 12 seasons with a career 4.99 ERA.