Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-27
LEAGUES
ALEXANDER HAS MADE FINE
RECORD IN THE BOX THUS
FAR IN THE 1916 CAMPAIGN
Nebraskan Scored on in Only One Inning in Last
AZ Pitched-Adds Another Shut-out
to His String
By CHANDLER d. RICHTER

ALEXANDER the Great won his ninth
victory NJ the season when he pitched
the Phillies into first place In the National
League, and convinced the 5000 fans pres
ent that he has reached the condition
which enabled him TO shatter all records for
allowing opposing teams n small number
Of hits in midseason last year Alexander
was batted for eight hits, all Of them
clean drives, but he was masted of the
Dodgers at all times, and only once was
it necessary for his support to do anything
out Of the ordinary to prevent the visitors
from scoring.
Last year Alexander was rather tagged
out when the worlds series was played. as
he had pitched an unusual number OF games,
under great strain. Az result his arm
bothered him a little, and 1t was reported
curing the winter that the Nebraskan's
arm was gone. Naturally the fans were
rather skeptca this spring
In his first games Alexander convinced
thom that he was still wonderful pitcher,
and there was not n thing wrong with his
arm. but few persons believed that he
would be able to equal his wonderful rec
ord Of 1915, Alexander should not only be
able TO equal this wonderful record but
with an even break of luck is likely to sur
pass 1t.
AT this time a year ago there was con-
siderable doubt in the minds of the fans
and Pat Moran whether his team was going
TO he able TO stick up in the race, As n re-
suit Alexander was worked a trihe harder
than was good for him. II Is true that
Moran did not have his star in the 'bull
pen every day, as had been the case other
years. but nevertheless he was worked
pretty hard and drew all the hard assign
ments
Moran's Methods
Alexander's mound opponent was not
picked for him. He had to beat the star of
the opposing staff in every series ms Moran
figured that this was the best way to get
the jump and to take away the confidence
or the other teams. The wisdom of Moran's
move was apparent, as Alex gave the Phils
the lead in series after series
Toward the end of the season the Phils
We're anxious to clinch the pennant and
Alexander was in the warm-up pit more
than was good for him, while for a brief
stretch in mdseason, he also warmed uD
many days when his services were not
called upon. This season IL will not he
necessary to call upon Alexander so often
Manager Morans object in signing Bender
was TO tighten the burden Of Alexander. and
the famous Indian has proved himself the
Bender of old in the pinches He will do
the pinch pitching which fell upon Alexander
in the past and the star of the National
League will he able to start every game
fresh. He will not be called upon to work
when he may be slightly off form and
should hang UP n new record for average
earned runs per game, shutouts, and
perhaps victories
Four Shut-Outs
Four of Alexander's nine victories have
been shut-outs, three of the four being won
since the Phllies started the Western trip
AleXander's first shut-out victory was won
over the Braves in the first series with
Stallings team. He won consistently from
then on until he was beaten by Brooklyn,
just prior to the Western trip, but in this
game Alexander found his stride.
The Dodgers won because an error gave
them two tallies in the second inning and
the Phils We're unable to score on Dell AL
exander held the Dodgers scoreless in the
last six innings of this game and followed
1t up with a shut-Out over Cincinnati The
Reds got only three bits, which was one
less than the Pirates made three days later
Callahan's team also benb blanked
Hendrix Did 1t
Alexander was scored upon in his next
start against the Cubs, and these taIlies
all of which were made in one inning, de-
prved the Nebraskan of chance to break
the worlds record for consecutive scoreless
innings. Alex had the Cubs shutout until
two men were out in the fifth inning. He
pitched carelessly TO Hendrix who is one
of the best hitting pitchers in the game, and
instead of retiring the side i'm this inning
without a tally, three runs were scored
Yesterday Alexander added another shut
out to his growing list, which gives him a