Matt Alexander
Encyclopedia
Matthew Alexander was a Utility Player for the Chicago Cubs
(-), Oakland Athletics
(-) and Pittsburgh Pirates
(-). In his later years, Alexander was used mostly as a pinch runner
by manager Chuck Tanner
, and so earned the sobriquet "Matt the Scat." Tanner had managed in Oakland in 1976 and brought Alexander to Pittsburgh after he became manager of the Pirates. Alexander helped the Athletics win the 1975 American League Western Division and the Pirates win the 1979 World Series
. He played every non-pitching position in his major league career except catcher and first base.
In nine seasons he played in 374 games and had 168 at bats, 111 runs, 36 hits, 4 doubles, 2 triples, 4 RBI, 103 stolen bases, 18 walks, a .214 batting average, an .294 on-base percentage, .262 slugging percentage, 44 total bases, 8 sacrifice hits and 1 intentional walk. He is one of only seven players (excluding pitcher
s) to have played at least 100 games and have more games played than at-bats.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(-), Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
(-) and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(-). In his later years, Alexander was used mostly as a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
by manager Chuck Tanner
Chuck Tanner
Charles William "Chuck" Tanner was a left fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was known for his unwavering confidence and infectious optimism. He managed the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series championship in 1979...
, and so earned the sobriquet "Matt the Scat." Tanner had managed in Oakland in 1976 and brought Alexander to Pittsburgh after he became manager of the Pirates. Alexander helped the Athletics win the 1975 American League Western Division and the Pirates win the 1979 World Series
1979 World Series
The 1979 World Series matched the National League's Pittsburgh Pirates against the American League's Baltimore Orioles , with the Pirates coming back from a three games to one deficit to win the Series in seven games...
. He played every non-pitching position in his major league career except catcher and first base.
In nine seasons he played in 374 games and had 168 at bats, 111 runs, 36 hits, 4 doubles, 2 triples, 4 RBI, 103 stolen bases, 18 walks, a .214 batting average, an .294 on-base percentage, .262 slugging percentage, 44 total bases, 8 sacrifice hits and 1 intentional walk. He is one of only seven players (excluding pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
s) to have played at least 100 games and have more games played than at-bats.