74. Dizzy Dean
Typically, six seasons would not be enough to warrant a Hall of Fame career, but when one had a peak like Dizzy Dean had in the 1930’s, exceptions can be made.
From 1932 through 1937, there were few pitchers in baseball in the same class as Dean. He was a four time All-Star, and won the MVP award following his stellar 1934 season when he was 30-7 with seven saves and a 2.66 ERA. In 1935 and 1936, Dean was second in the MVP vote. He led the National League in strikeouts four times, complete games and innings three times, wins twice and even led the league in saves in 1936.
Unfortunately, after the 1937 season, Dean was just about done. He had fractured his toe during the 1937 All-Star Game when Earl Averill hit him with a base hit up the middle, and after altering his delivery when he came back too quickly, injured his arm to lose his fastball. Even though his arm was gone by 1938, Dean finished his career with a 150-83 record and a 3.02 ERA, striking out 1,163 batters in 1967.1 innings.
One of the true characters in the game, Dean was known for his quotable phrases and his time as a broadcaster. With lines such as “The doctors x-rayed my head and found nothing” and his bravado, Dean was a true favorite amongst Cardinals fans and, when healthy, had cemented his place as the ace of the Gashouse Gang.
Dizzy Dean only had six seasons in his arm, but they were amongst the best in MLB history. One has to wonder what would have happened had he remained healthy.
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