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The last National League pitcher to win 30 games in a season, Dizzy Dean was in the inaugural class for the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014.

Dean pitched in one game in 1930 before reaching the big leagues to stay in 1932. During a six-year run with the Cardinals from 1932-1937, Dean averaged more than 22 wins season.

A colorful figure and great drawing card, Dean was equal parts entertainer and baseball player.

According to the Hall of Fame, Dean’s Gashouse Gang teammate Pepper Martin explained, “When ole Diz was out there pitching it was more than just another ballgame. It was a regular three-ring circus and everybody was wide awake and enjoying being alive.”

Dean’s career was regrettably cut short after an incident in the 1937 All Star game. An Earl Averill line drive comebacker hit Dean on his big toe. When told the toe was fractured, Dean responded, “Fractured, hell, the damn thing’s broken!”

Dean altered his pitching motion to avoid landing on his sore toe. The adjustment altered caused him to hurt his arm and lost his once overpowering fastball.

Only 27 years old at the time of the injury he was one of the most dominant players in either league. Though he pitched parts of 5 more seasons, Dean would win a mere 16 games after the 1937 season.

Dean was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1953.

Shown here is a postcard photo adorned with the signature of Dizzy Dean.

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Despite the color barrier, Negro Leaguers often faced off against their MLB counterparts. These contests took place in the off-season and helped augment the income of the players involved.

Shown here is a lineup of Negro League stars called the Philadelphia Royal Giants. They squared off against Dizzy Dean’s All Stars on October 31, 1935. Satchel Paige started the game against a star-studded lineup.

PCL legend Jigger Statz played centerfield and led off, Hall of Famer Arky Vaugnan batted third and played shortstop. NL home run champion and four-time All Star Wally Berger played left and hit in the cleanup spot.

Dolph Camilli who won the 1941 NL Most Valuable Player Award played first and Cooperstown hurler Dean got the start on the hill.

Ole Diz faced a batting order that included three men who went on to get their Cooperstown plaques: Turkey Stearnes, Mule Suttles, and Biz Mackey. The Cardinals hurler went 7 innings, giving up five hits and a pair of runs.

Satchel struck out 7, allowed two runs on two hits, and left with a no-decision after four innings. The MLB crew pushed across three more runs off of Chet Brewer to gain a 5-4 victory.

Five men have adorned their signatures to the lineup including Paige, Vaughan, Camilli, Berger, and Tuck Stainback. Interestingly, Stainback was part of the trade on April 16, 1938 that sent Dean from St. Louis to the Chicago Cubs.

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Dizzy Dean pitched in four of baseball’s first five All Star Games. Selected to the team each season from 1934-1937, Dean struck out ten AL stars in as many innings.

In 1934 he allowed one run in one inning. Then in ’35 and ’36 he combined for four scoreless innings. Dean started the fateful 1937 contest, and surrendered a two-run homer to Lou Gehrig. Overall in All Star competition Dizzy finished with one win, one loss and a 2.70 ERA.

Shown here is an invitation to play in the 1935 All Star Game sent to Senators third baseman Ossie Bluege. Authored and signed by Hall of Fame AL president William Harridge, the correspondence is dated June 29, 1935, thirteen days before the game.

Ole Diz’ received a similar invite from the NL chief Ford Frick.

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Dizzy Dean pitched in 11 seasons from 1930-1941. His sole appearance in ’41 came on April 25th against the Pirates. Four of the seven men he faced reached base; three scored. Dean left the game after just three outs, the pain in his throwing arm too great.

Ole Diz was soon placed on the voluntary retired list. Cubs owner Philip Wrigley offered him the job of first-base coach. He took the gig and helped with the Cubs pitchers.

Dizzy’s coaching career was brief. Two months later in July of ’41 the Falstaff Brewery Corporation asked him to broadcast St. Louis Browns and Cardinals games over the radio.

He called Browns games from 1941-1948. A highlight came in ’47. That season Dean repeatedly criticized the pitchers of the team that went 59-95. Always brash, Dizzy claimed he could pitch better than the hurlers on the staff.

Seeing an opportunity, the Browns signed Dean to a one-game contract to start the final game of the ’47 season. The decision put St. Louis Manager Muddy Ruel in a bad spot. A former catcher himself, Ruel wanted to back the men on his staff. Instead, he was told to give the ball to Dean, six years removed from his last big league pitch.

Dizzy made good on his boast of being better than the Browns pitchers by throwing four scoreless frames. He even tallied a base hit in his only at bat.

Shown here is a personal check signed by Dean’s manager for the day, Muddy Ruel. More about Ruel can be found on his player page by clicking here.