When Dizzy Dean pitched for the Cardinals in 1934, St. Louisans rested as easy as a stray feather landing on a duck’s backside—the Arkansas native led the major leagues in wins, strikeouts, and complete games. With a 30-7 record, Dean marked the Cardinals as an irresistible force, propelling the team toward a World Series championship.
Dean’s brilliance on the mound fueled his confidence. Before the series, Chicago Daily Tribune sports writer Edward Burns spotlighted this trademark, which Dean evidenced at a self-created press conference. “Among other things the elder Dean revealed that he had told Manager Frankie Frisch of the Cardinals that he not only was prepared to pitch the opener of the world series [sic] here but that he could, and would, if Frisch desired, pitch the first four games of the series. He conceded, however, that this, perhaps, would be unfair to his brother Paul and other St. Louis pitchers whose names have slipped us just now.”
Indeed, the Cardinals’ outstanding pitching was often a fraternal affair in ’34, with Paul Dean going 19-11. Though they shared the same bloodline, Paul and Dizzy differed greatly in their approaches to life. St. Louis sports writer J. Roy Stockton chronicled the exploits of the Cardinals in his 1945 book The Gashouse Gang and a couple of other guys, including the famed Dean brothers. “Dizzy reeked with color and was the answer to a baseball writer’s prayer as soon as he broke into organized baseball. Paul, without Dizzy, would have been just another good pitcher. He wouldn’t go on strikes and he wouldn’t miss any trains. He’d just pitch, attend to business and save his money. Dizzy was a bundle of nerves, always raring to go, never still a minute. Sit Paul down in an easy chair and he’s stay put for hours.”
All was not smooth, however. The Dean brothers squared off against Cardinals management in the ’34 season. A salary dispute caused the Deans to sit out and, consequently, suffer a financial penalty and 10-day suspension issued by the front office. Thankfully, the brothers resolved their quarrel with the brass after a judicial ruling backed the Cardinals’ fine and suspension. On September 21, 1934, Paul Dean pitched a no-hitter against the Dodgers.
In his 2007 book The Gashouse Gang: How Dizzy Dean, Leo Durocher, Branch Rickey, Pepper Martin, and their Colorful, Come-from-Behind Ball Club Won the World Series—and America’s Heart—During the Great Depression, John Heidenry described the silver linings in the clouds of discord. “The ultimate result, though, was to strengthen the other players’ respect for Frisch,” wrote Heidenry. “Before the revolt, the Cardinals had ability; after the rebellion, team spirit and determination coalesced. Dizzy paid his fines and wrote a telegraphed apology to the fans in Detroit. Though sympathetic supporters from around the country sent him money to help him pay his fines, he sent back every dime.
“Of course, it was not long before the two Deans are back in everyone’s good graces. It was almost impossible to stay angry with those two fun-loving southern boys. Best of all, during the final stretch, the Dean brothers became virtually invincible.”
Dizzy and Paul Dean won two games apiece against the Detroit Tigers in the 1934 World Series—in the seventh game, Dizzy scattered six hits, went the full nine, and shut out the Tigers 11-0.
A version of this article appeared on www.thesportspost.com on January 16, 2016.