Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-03-10

production Francis Siam
Legend has that Hornsby met Alex the
smeled his breath for alcohol Legend
has that Alex wotime winner in the series and certain
be called on fast asleep in the bupen
Bunk" Hornsby "Alex was cold sober and wide
awake.
THIS IS THE honest true story" Rogers
tinued Bill Killefer could bear out First have
to say word about Bill. He of my coaches. We
had very close relationship.
years ago my older brother Everett, a spitban
pitcher the League They called him
Pep Hornsby. His catcher was Bill Killefer
when up to the Cardinals in 1915 was 1885,
pound shortstop They said could field but couldn't hit
when began to win batting championships they said
I could hit but couldn't field
Anyway I'm at bat in my first big league game and
we're playing the Phes The great Alexander pitching
and by this time Kiefer catching for the Philes
remember that he called time and talked to Alex.
"Aex, he Sad we're out in front and amt going to
hurt you throw fat to this kid He's Pep Hornsbys
brother SIS
@*@+*
"IM JUST SAYING all this to establish my relation
ship Kiefer" explained Rogers, although might
well add that Alexander threw easy and hit it
double think it did cost him, later, because from
that moment always hit Alex real good And he was the
best pitcher I
Years later managing the Cardinals and Killefer
is coach. Cubs asking waivers Alex who
years old drinking pretty heavily knew all this
touched the stuff myself but didn't make
difference if Alex boozed DID, as long he could
win ball games So I claimed him.
"Wel Alexander won us two games that World Series
His by 1872 tying it at three apiece
meeting the clubhouse and told the team Haines
the final also told all the other pitchers
meaning Alex than anybody else-to be ready
"To get back Kilefer went to him and saidy Bill
Just to sure shouldn't look in Aexanders room?
know it's funny thing to do. What do you think?
Bill said Let's go. heuva lot is riding tomorrow.
1--WE WENT UP to Alex room," Hornsby related. He
We poked under the mattress Shed in the
bureau drawers the top of the toilet closet
those od-faShioned pungers operated. We found
Alex had few bottles stashed and took m with
what Alex thought about me, but do know
he was handed him the ball in that seventh
inning There wasn't pink eye in his head All said,
when him in the infed, There two out and
the bases isn't the bases for anybody
else
Aex just nodded and famed Lazzer We still led to 2
Then he the last innings with better stuff than
he had day only batter to reach base
Babe with two out in the ninth And then Babe pulled
the only dumb play I've seen by him.
: with MEUsE1 AND GEHRIG coming up. he tried to
steal second his No sign no nothing. Bob
OFarreS throw to got Ruth by big margin that
felt panicky was would backrack we'd have
rundown And first basenan, Jim Bottomey was lousy
on rundowns Half the time he'd hit the with his
throw
Fortunately suppose, Ruth kept coming. tagged him
out end of the 26 Series 1t the first
in history for Cardinals people remember mostly
as .Alexander's Series Which is all right, too"
But what if Alexander really had been hung and
redeyed that memorable afternoon" asked Rogers
81 would pitched him, anyway. Drinking not he
was the best thng-he wouldn't walk run home.
He ball through the of needle with
eye closed.
"As matter Of fact" Hornsby concluded, with wry
grim "he often did"