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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 217-game winner Freddie Fitzsimmons.