Wicked Curve: The Life and Troubled Times of Grover Cleveland Alexander

by John C. Skipper

When in 1911 Phillies pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander set the National League record for wins by a rookie (28), it was a sign of things to come. Alexander went on to win 373 games over his 20-year career, the third highest total in major league history, and he would lead the league in ERA four times, shutouts seven times, complete games six times, and wins six times. But he also became a deeply troubled man. After the Shell-Shocked pitcher returned from World War I, he would battle alcoholism, epilepsy, and personal demons that damaged his reputation and proved disastrous for his life outside of baseball. This biography sheds new light on the pitcher and the man, focusing on Alexander's personal life, especially his complex relationship with his wife, Aimee, as well as their marriages and divorces. His Hall of Fame career, wartime service, and long decline are also documented.

Genres: Baseball, Biography

244 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

Reviews

[Chris D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

An unevenly written biography of Grover Cleveland Alexander that lacks proper proportion in its structure and a work that could have used a strong editor. The baseball career of Alexander is a series of game recaps that very repetitive. It was difficult to read this kind of writing as the paragraphs consisted of sentences such as Alexander won 3-2 over the Giants on May 8 and then won 4-1 over the Cardinals on May 12 and then won 5-0 over the Cubs on May 17. The reader never gets a sense of what kind of pitcher Alexander was or how baseball was played during his era.

During one of the recaps of Alexander's pitching career the author repeats three times on one page of a game he won over Vic Aldridge. At times reading these sections are very difficult and it was easy for me to start skimming. Also marring the book are mistakes in fact regarding baseball history. The author states that Gavvy Cravath was the leader in lifetime homers before Babe Ruth and that he also owned the season record of home runs neither of which was true. He also states that sports writer John Kiernan lived to the age of 99 which is off by ten years.

The book was only about half over when we reach the end of Alexander's baseball career, which means the last half of the book was a very long slog of reading over and over again of Alexander falling down, being hospitalized and becoming a burden on society. This section of the book could have been so much shorter. If the author had anything of importance to relate as the reason behind this behavior of Alexander maybe there would be some worth to the length. However he gives various reasons for Alexander's alcoholism and many times states that Alexander falls down and is hospitalized because either he was drunk and fell down, was mugged or had a seizure due to epilepsy.

It was a disappointing effort to try to explain the life of a Hall of Famer, no where are we as a reader shown why a biography of Alexander was necessary and we are not shown what made him a great pitcher. Many anecdotes are shared, in fact many are repeated throughout the book. It is not a long book in pages but it took me quite a while to finish it. In fact my wife kept asking me was I finished yet as I plowed through it. Not recommended.

2 stars

[Dick Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of baseball biographies, particularly players from the earlier eras, and I have always felt that Alexander has never received his due. Accordingly, I was pleased to find out about this book, however, the book was lacking in many areas. Most importantly, a better editor was certainly needed as the author was very repetitive in his descriptions and could have benefitted from some fact checking. In addition, far too much time was spent chronicling Alexander's known problems off the field rather than focusing solely on his incredible career. Along with Ted Williams, Alexander was perhaps the player most significantly impacted by a war on his career - going into 1918, he had won 30 games of more for three years in a row and was unquestionably the best pitcher in baseball. After the war, he was not the same player. Focusing more on his game would have made this a better book. However, any book on Alexander is better than no book so I am pleased that Mr. Skipper wrote this book.

[Kenn Jacobine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much time spent on game by game recaps. No depth to anecdotes.

[Christopher E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of baseball game details that are well-researched, but lacks depth in other areas. Also in need of some proof-reading and stronger editing.

[John Raspanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid bio on, at times, the tragic life of the great Grover Cleveland Alexander.

[Chad Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic biography on a troubled baseball hall of fame pitcher

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book about the life and times of one of the National League's greatest pitchers, Grover Cleveland Alexander. A wonderful book for anyone who likes to read about baseball players abd baseball history.

[M Garvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great detail about GCA's final days. Interesting baseball tales throughout.

[Daniel Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of baseball's #3 all-time winning pitcher. A must read for all true baseball fans.

[Dana M Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad but a very good read

Heartbreaking story of an amazing pitcher. His problems were mostly brought on by his own actions, but WWI and accidents contributed. Excellent read.