Major league baseball scout and player. Hugh "Uncle Hughie" Alexander first arrived on the sports scene in 1935 when as a high school student he qualified for the Olympic trials as a sprinter. He made it to major league baseball in 1937, the then 11th grader was signed to the Cleveland Indians by legendary scout Cy Slapnicka. The 6' 190 pound outfielder known for his excellent speed played for one season, August 15, 1937 through September 22, 1937. During this time he played 7 games accumulating 11 at bats, getting one hit and striking out 5 times.
In December of 1937 while working off season in the Oklahoma oil fields he lost his left hand in an oil rig accident. Despite this career ending injury in 1938 he turned to scouting and at age 21 became the youngest scout in the history of major league baseball. His 61 year career included scouting for Cleveland (14 years), Chicago White Sox (5 years), Los Angeles Dodgers (15 years) and the Phillies (16 years).
Some of the most notable players he is credited for discovering were Allie Reynolds, Don Sutton, Steve Garvey and Davey Lopes. Alexander was equally famous for not signing Mickey Mantle. Upon arriving in Commerce, Oklahoma to scout the player he was told by Mantle's principal that Mantle had been injured playing football and suffered from arthritis. Upon hearing this news Alexander left without talking to him or watching him play.
In 1984 he along with Tony Pacheco and Jim Russo founded the Scout of the Year program. In 1993 he was named scout of the year by the Baseball Writers Association. He was also honored by Seminole State University {Seminole, Oklahoma} when they named their sports complex after him. Mr. Alexander retired in 1998 as special player consultant. He worked for 2 more years after that and could be found in press boxes throughout the country until his death.
Alexander, who lived in Spring Hill, Florida and Oklahoma City, is survived by a daughter, Patricia Baker of Dallas, a sister, Edith Porter of Oklahoma City and a grandson.
In December of 1937 while working off season in the Oklahoma oil fields he lost his left hand in an oil rig accident. Despite this career ending injury in 1938 he turned to scouting and at age 21 became the youngest scout in the history of major league baseball. His 61 year career included scouting for Cleveland (14 years), Chicago White Sox (5 years), Los Angeles Dodgers (15 years) and the Phillies (16 years).
Some of the most notable players he is credited for discovering were Allie Reynolds, Don Sutton, Steve Garvey and Davey Lopes. Alexander was equally famous for not signing Mickey Mantle. Upon arriving in Commerce, Oklahoma to scout the player he was told by Mantle's principal that Mantle had been injured playing football and suffered from arthritis. Upon hearing this news Alexander left without talking to him or watching him play.
In 1984 he along with Tony Pacheco and Jim Russo founded the Scout of the Year program. In 1993 he was named scout of the year by the Baseball Writers Association. He was also honored by Seminole State University {Seminole, Oklahoma} when they named their sports complex after him. Mr. Alexander retired in 1998 as special player consultant. He worked for 2 more years after that and could be found in press boxes throughout the country until his death.
Alexander, who lived in Spring Hill, Florida and Oklahoma City, is survived by a daughter, Patricia Baker of Dallas, a sister, Edith Porter of Oklahoma City and a grandson.
Major league baseball scout and player. Hugh "Uncle Hughie" Alexander first arrived on the sports scene in 1935 when as a high school student he qualified for the Olympic trials as a sprinter. He made it to major league baseball in 1937, the then 11th grader was signed to the Cleveland Indians by legendary scout Cy Slapnicka. The 6' 190 pound outfielder known for his excellent speed played for one season, August 15, 1937 through September 22, 1937. During this time he played 7 games accumulating 11 at bats, getting one hit and striking out 5 times.
In December of 1937 while working off season in the Oklahoma oil fields he lost his left hand in an oil rig accident. Despite this career ending injury in 1938 he turned to scouting and at age 21 became the youngest scout in the history of major league baseball. His 61 year career included scouting for Cleveland (14 years), Chicago White Sox (5 years), Los Angeles Dodgers (15 years) and the Phillies (16 years).
Some of the most notable players he is credited for discovering were Allie Reynolds, Don Sutton, Steve Garvey and Davey Lopes. Alexander was equally famous for not signing Mickey Mantle. Upon arriving in Commerce, Oklahoma to scout the player he was told by Mantle's principal that Mantle had been injured playing football and suffered from arthritis. Upon hearing this news Alexander left without talking to him or watching him play.
In 1984 he along with Tony Pacheco and Jim Russo founded the Scout of the Year program. In 1993 he was named scout of the year by the Baseball Writers Association. He was also honored by Seminole State University {Seminole, Oklahoma} when they named their sports complex after him. Mr. Alexander retired in 1998 as special player consultant. He worked for 2 more years after that and could be found in press boxes throughout the country until his death.
Alexander, who lived in Spring Hill, Florida and Oklahoma City, is survived by a daughter, Patricia Baker of Dallas, a sister, Edith Porter of Oklahoma City and a grandson.
In December of 1937 while working off season in the Oklahoma oil fields he lost his left hand in an oil rig accident. Despite this career ending injury in 1938 he turned to scouting and at age 21 became the youngest scout in the history of major league baseball. His 61 year career included scouting for Cleveland (14 years), Chicago White Sox (5 years), Los Angeles Dodgers (15 years) and the Phillies (16 years).
Some of the most notable players he is credited for discovering were Allie Reynolds, Don Sutton, Steve Garvey and Davey Lopes. Alexander was equally famous for not signing Mickey Mantle. Upon arriving in Commerce, Oklahoma to scout the player he was told by Mantle's principal that Mantle had been injured playing football and suffered from arthritis. Upon hearing this news Alexander left without talking to him or watching him play.
In 1984 he along with Tony Pacheco and Jim Russo founded the Scout of the Year program. In 1993 he was named scout of the year by the Baseball Writers Association. He was also honored by Seminole State University {Seminole, Oklahoma} when they named their sports complex after him. Mr. Alexander retired in 1998 as special player consultant. He worked for 2 more years after that and could be found in press boxes throughout the country until his death.
Alexander, who lived in Spring Hill, Florida and Oklahoma City, is survived by a daughter, Patricia Baker of Dallas, a sister, Edith Porter of Oklahoma City and a grandson.
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