Chicago Cubs History: Longtime Cubs who turned into Cardinals

Chicago Cubs: Controversial pitcher spent more time in Chicago than St. Louis

One of the most dominant pitchers of the 1910s and 1920s was right-handed hurler Grover Cleveland “Pete” Alexander. After spending his first seven MLB seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, Alexander spent the next eight with the Cubs. As a Cub, he pitched to a 2.84 ERA, 1.2 WHIP, 3.08 FIP and struck out 614 hitters in 242 games from 1918 through early 1926.

Because of Alexander’s personal issues, including excessive drinking and insubordination, he was sold to the Cardinals. Cubs manager Joe McCarthy had enough of him despite the ERA titles and Triple Crowns he was winning with his arm.

Alexander joined the ’26 Cardinals team and helped lead them to a World Series championship. He pitched to a 1.33 ERA in the World Series as they defeated the New York Yankees in seven games. It was Alexander who closed out the Cardinals 3-2 win in Game 7. Alexander would stick with the Cardinals through 1929 and pitch to a 3.08 ERA and 1.2 WHIP.

Fans in Chicago might remember him as a Cub, but others might remember his triumph in the 1926 World Series as a Cardinal more than anything. He is certainly not the only Cub to end up joining the Cardinals and winning a ring.