Dizzy Dean

Pitcher

Class of 1953

Dizzy Dean

Pitcher

Class of 1953
Dizzy Dean posted a 30-7 record during the 1934 season, when he led the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series victory.

Games

Birth year

About Dizzy Dean

Every ballplayer can remember the passion they had for the game as a kid. Dizzy Dean kept that passion and excitement all the way through his major league career.

"When ole Diz was out there pitching it was more than just another ballgame,” said teammate Pepper Martin. “It was a regular three-ring circus and everybody was wide awake and enjoying being alive.”

Born Jay Hanna Dean on Jan. 16, 1910 in Lucas, Ark., Dean attended public school only through second grade. His colorful personality and eccentric behavior earned him the nickname “Dizzy”.

“Nobody ever taught him baseball and he never had to learn,” said sportswriter Red Smith. “He was just doing what came naturally when a scout named Don Curtis discovered him on a Texas sandlot and gave him his first contract."

Dean made his professional debut in 1930 and worked his way up to the major leagues that same year, throwing a complete game three-hitter for a win with the Cardinals on the final day of the regular season.

Dean became a regular starter for St. Louis in 1932, leading the league in shutouts and innings pitched. It was also the first of four straight seasons he led the league in strikeouts.

In 1934, Dean went 30-7, leading the league in wins with a 2.66 ERA to win the National League MVP Award. Along with his older brother Paul, also a pitcher on the team and often referred to in the media as “Daffy”, the Cardinals became hardworking, gritty players during the Great Depression. The team captured the National League pennant and beat the Tigers in the World Series.

Dean won 28 and 24 games in 1935 and 1936 respectively, finishing second in MVP voting in both seasons. In 1937, Dean suffered an injury after being hit in the toe by a line drive during the All-Star Game. Trying to return from the injury too quickly, Dean hurt his arm and largely lost his effectiveness.

Traded to the Cubs in 1938, Dean spent four seasons in Chicago, including appearing in the 1938 World Series, which the Cubs lost to the Yankees. He appeared again for the St. Louis Browns in 1947 as a promotional stunt, pitching four innings before retiring.

The four-time All-Star won 150 games in 12 seasons with 1,163 strikeouts and a 3.02 career ERA. Known for his practical jokes, colorful baseball predictions and confident attitude, Dean became a radio and television announcer after his playing career was over. He was popular with audiences despite often mispronouncing players’ names and using his own version of grammar. He was the voice of the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees and the CBS and NBC Game of the Week from the 1940s through 1965.

“Dizzy Dean. It's impossible to say without a smile, but then who wants to try?” wrote Jim Murray in the Los Angeles Times.

Dean was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1953. He passed away on July 17, 1974.

The Basics

Year inducted
1953
Birth Place
Lucas, Arkansas
Birth Year
1910
Died
1974, Reno Nevada

Career at a Glance

Primary Team
St. Louis Cardinals
Primary Position
Pitcher
Played For
St. Louis Cardinals, 1930
St. Louis Cardinals, 1932-1937
Chicago Cubs, 1938-1941
St. Louis Browns, 1947

Career MLB Stats

Games
317
Wins
150
Losses
83
Winning %
.644
Saves
31
Hits
1,919
Walks
453
Runs
774
Games Started
230
Innings Pitched
1,967
Completed Games
154
Shutouts
26
Earned Runs
661
Strikeouts
1,163
ERA
3.02
WHIP
1.206

Dizzy Dean Stories

Explore the archives and go deep into the lives, careers, and stories of the Hall of Fame's honorees.

Capturing the Story

The Hall of Fame Class of 1953 featured eight electees