Hall of Fame

Matthew Alexander, Jr.

  • Class
  • Induction
    1995
  • Sport(s)
    Baseball
  • Grambling State
    • Played college baseball at Grambling State University.
    • Was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 2nd round of the 1968 MLB June Amateur Draft.
  • College Career Highlights
    • At Grambling State, he switched to the infield and earned all-conference honors twice in three years; he hit .377 both in 1967 and 1968.
    • He credited longtime Grambling coach/president Ralph Waldo Emerson “Prez” Jones for helping develop his game.
  •  Major League Career
    • Made his MLB debut August 23, 1973.
    • Career MLB stats: batting average .214, 0 home runs, 4 RBIs, 103 stolen bases.
    • Known as one of the greatest pinch-runners: for example, he had 271 career appearances with only 195 plate appearances (i.e., played many games but rarely batted).
    • He played for the Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics (acquired May 2, 1975) and Pittsburgh Pirates.
    • His role was specialized: speed and base-stealing rather than power hitting.