What was Grover Cleveland Alexander illness? How did he die?
by Indraprakash | Updated Apr 07, 2023
Who was Grove Clevened Alexander?
Grover Cleveland Alexander, also known as "Old Pete," was a prominent American baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1911 through 1930. He played for several teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals during his career. In recognition of his contribution to the sport, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938. Grover Cleveland Alexander is regarded as one of the greatest pitchers of all time, known for his pinpoint accuracy and his ability to strike out batters with ease. He won three National League pitching Triple Crowns, leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, and was a three-time National League wins leader. Alexander's most famous performance came in Game 7 of the 1926 World Series, where he pitched a complete game shutout to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to their first-ever World Series title.
What was Grover Cleveland Alexander illness?
Grover Cleveland Alexander, a legendary American baseball pitcher, faced numerous health challenges during his career. In particular, during his service in France in 1918, Alexander was exposed to mustard gas, which caused partial hearing loss and other health issues. In addition, a shell exploded near him during the war further complicating his health condition and triggering the onset of epilepsy. Mustard gas was a highly toxic and debilitating weapon used during World War I, and exposure to it often led to long-lasting health complications for soldiers. Alexander's exposure to this gas during his service likely contributed to his health issues, which affected his career as a baseball player. Despite these challenges, Alexander persevered and went on to become one of the most accomplished pitchers in baseball history, earning a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938. After returning from the war, Alexander struggled with his health issues, including seizures, severe headaches, and alcoholism, which were likely exacerbated by his experiences in combat. Despite these challenges, he continued to play baseball and achieved some of his greatest accomplishments in the years following his military service. Alexander's career in baseball continued for over a decade after the war, during which time he played for several teams and established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers of his era. He led the league in wins six times and was named the National League Most Valuable Player twice. In 1938, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the sport. Despite his success on the field, Alexander continued to struggle with his health and personal life. He battled alcoholism throughout his career and was arrested several times for public intoxication. In 1941, he suffered a heart attack that forced him to retire from baseball. He spent his remaining years living quietly in his hometown of St. Paul, Nebraska, before passing away in 1950 at the age of 63.
Grover Cleveland Alexander family
Grover Cleveland Alexander was born in Elba, Nebraska to William Alexander and Martha "Maggie" Cootey. He was one of eight children in the family. Alexander's father was a Democrat and he was born during the first term of President Grover Cleveland, who was also a Democrat. As a result, his parents named him after Cleveland. Alexander attended schools in Elba and St. Paul and graduated from St. Paul High School in 1909. After finishing his education, he worked for the Howard County Telephone Company digging postholes. In his youth, Alexander played semi-professional baseball and signed his first professional contract at the age of 20 in 1907 for $50 per month. He played for the Galesburg Boosters in the Class D Illinois–Missouri League in 1909 and went 15–8 that year with a 1.36 ERA. However, his career was almost over when he was struck by a thrown ball while baserunning, which ended his 1909 season. Despite this setback, he recovered and became a star pitcher again in 1910, finishing with a 29–11 record for the Syracuse Stars in the Class B New York State League. He was then sold to the Philadelphia Phillies for $750. Regarding his family life, Alexander married Aimee Arrants in 1910 and they had two children together. The marriage ended in divorce in 1940. He later married Margaret Weller in 1946. Alexander died on November 4, 1950, at the age of 63, due to a heart attack.
How did Grover Cleveland Alexander die?
Grover Cleveland Alexander passed away on November 4, 1950, in St. Paul, Nebraska, at the age of 63. He had been in declining health for several years, suffering from heart disease, epilepsy, and alcoholism. Alexander had been known to drink heavily during and after his playing career, which likely contributed to his health problems. Alexander's death was mourned by many in the baseball community, as he was one of the greatest pitchers of his time. He won 373 games during his career, which is still the third-highest total in Major League Baseball history. He also won three pitching Triple Crowns, led the league in wins six times, and was a key member of two World Series championship teams. Alexander's legacy continued after his death, as he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938. His life and career have been the subject of several books, documentaries, and biopics, including the 1952 film "The Winning Team," which starred Ronald Reagan as Alexander. In addition, the Philadelphia Phillies retired Alexander's number 34 in 1959, and the St. Louis Cardinals retired his number 40 in 1979.
What was Grover Cleveland Alexander illness - FAQs
Grover Cleveland Alexander had epilepsy, which was triggered by his exposure to mustard gas and shell explosions during his service in World War I.
Alexander's epilepsy was triggered during his service in World War I in 1918 when he was exposed to mustard gas and shell explosions.
Alexander's epilepsy caused him to have seizures, which affected his performance on the field. He often had to take time off from playing to recover from seizures.
Despite his epilepsy, Alexander was able to continue playing baseball, but it affected his performance and shortened his career.