Pete Alexander set a record in 1911 by winning 28 games – a record for rookie pitchers. But something unusual happened that season for Alexander in his 367 innings pitched. Old Pete committed a balk. In 5190 innings pitched in his 20-year major league career that was his only balk. Balk’s were rare indeed and generally have been except for one season, but more on that later.
The Boston Red Sox as a team have led the American League in balks several times. On the stretch from 1906-08, it was a three-bagger, but the totals were minuscule.