Fred Frankhouse
| Birthdate | 4/9/1904 |
| Death Date | 8/17/1989 |
| Debut Year | 1927 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers |
| Position | Pitcher |
Fred Frankhouse pitched in the second All Star Game; three years later his pitching performance ended Carl Hubbell‘s MLB record 24-game win streak.
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Fred Frankhouse weighs in on Pete Alexander's epilepsy and calls him, "one of the greatest"
Fred Frankhouse weighs in on Pete Alexander's epilepsy and calls him, "one of the greatest"
For three seasons Fred Frankhouse and Grover Cleveland Alexander both pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals. Frankhouse was just beginning a 13-year career that saw him win over 100 games. Alexander was finishing his Hall of Fame career in which he earned 373 victories.
Frankhouse’s best season came in 1934 when he went 17-9 and finished in the Top 10 in both wins and ERA. He received consideration in MVP balloting for his efforts.
Three years later it was Franhouse who beat Carl Hubbell to snap The Meal Ticket’s MLB record 24-game win streak.
Featured here is a handwritten letter from Frankhouse about his former teammate, Alexander. He writes in part, “He was a man of ability who was hampered some what (sic) by the fact that he was an epileptic. This was a well-guarded secret for many years.”
Frankhouse reveals how the team worked with the limitations imposed by Alexander’s disease. “If any symptom of this ailment was manifested before a game he wasn’t used; if a symptom threatened during a game, he was relieved before a seizure occurred.”
In summing up Alexander’s career, Frankhouse wrote, “It is my opinion this man was one of the greatest pitchers of all time. His control was almost perfect. Sincerely, Fred M. Frankhouse”.
Alexander ranks third all-time in wins, second in shutouts, and 5th in pitchers' WAR
Alexander ranks third all-time in wins, second in shutouts, and 5th in pitchers' WAR
Truly one of the game’s greatest pitchers, Grover Cleveland Alexander is third on the all-time wins list with 373. Born in 1887, Alexander played in his first big league game in 1911 at the age of 24.
He quickly established himself as a formidable twirler, averaging more than 27 wins in his first 7 seasons. Alexander pitched in the big leagues for 20 years.
Despite debuting more than 100 years ago, Alexander still ranks high on the all-time MLB leaderboard. He stands third in wins (373), second in shutouts, (90), fifth in pitchers’ WAR (116.2), and tenth in innings (5,190)
Shown here is a payroll check from the Cubs during Alexander’s historic 1920 Triple Crown-winning season. That year Alex led the NL in wins (27) ERA (1.91), and strikeouts (173).
Dated May 31, 1920, the check was drawn the same day Alec notched his 219th career victory. The 10-inning complete-game masterpiece ran Alexander’s season record to 11-2. It was his 254th complete game of his career.
Alexander pitched for the Cubs until being waved in 1926. The Cardinals scooped him up on June 22nd that year and he remained in St. Louis through the 1929 season.
Frankhouse broke in with the Redbirds in 1927 and pitched with Alexander for three seasons.
