Luderus was
Grover Cleveland Alexander's first baseman in the Phillies' few strong
years before 1920. By the standards of the time, he was a power hitter, batting fifth
behind NL HR leader
Gavvy Cravath to give the Phillies their middle-of-the-order
punch. A lefthanded batter who threw righthanded, he was the first to hit two over-the-fence
homers at
Baker Bowl in a single game, long clouts even in that stadium's modest
confines.
He came up with the Cubs, filled in for the ailing Frank Chance for a
few games, and was traded for Bill Foxen, an undistinguished pitcher. He captained
the pennant-winning 1915 Phillies and was their only strong hitter in the losing
WS with the Red Sox, batting in six of his team's meager total of ten runs. An iron
man, he played 533 consecutive games and was proud of never having been lifted for
a pinch hitter.
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Fred Luderus
