Paul Dean

Paul Dee Dean
(Daffy)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.

• Debut April 18, 1934
• Final Game May 31, 1943
• Born August 14, 1912 in Lucas, AR USA
• Died March 17, 1981 in Springdale, AR USA

BR page

Biographical Information

"If I'da known he was gonna throw one, I'da thrown one, too." - Dizzy Dean, who pitched a two-hitter and then saw Daffy pitch a no-hitter in the second game of a doubleheader

Brother of Dizzy Dean, Paul "Daffy" Dean achieved his own prominence on the 1934 and 1935 St. Louis Cardinals.

Daffy was immediately successful as a minor leaguer when he started at age 18 in 1931. He went 11-6 for three teams that year, and after a less-impressive season in 1932, went 22-7 for the Columbus (OH) Red Birds in 1933.

Coming up to the majors at the age of 20 in 1934, Paul won 19 games and Dizzy, who had been with the team for a few years, had 30 victories. He pitched a no-hitter that year. The team won the 1934 World Series, with Paul winning Game 3 and Game 6 of the Series.

Paul again won 19 games in 1935, as the Cardinals won 96 games, good for second place.

That was basically the end, though, because he injured his arm in 1936. Paul felt that he had tried to come back too quickly after holding out (with brother Dizzy) in spring training. Over the next four years, he pitched a few games with the Cards, but won no more than 5 games in any one year.

Traded to the New York Giants in 1940, he went 4-4 on a team that also featured the 37-year-old Carl Hubbell and the 31-year-old Mel Ott. He appeared in 5 games for the Giants in 1941.

In the minors with the Houston Buffs in 1942 he was 19-8. He was almost the oldest player on a team whose average age was 24.7.

In 1943 he made it back to the big leagues for three appearances with the St. Louis Browns. He pitched a game for the Little Rock Travelers in 1946 and was a minor league manager for 7 years. He then managed the University of Plano baseball team.

Paul bought the Clovis Pioneers in December of 1948 and sold the team in June of 1950.

While Dizzy used his paychecks to buy an airplane, Paul bought a farm. In later life, he was a farmer and rancher.

His son, Paul Dean Jr., was a pitcher in the Milwaukee Braves' chain.

Notable Achievements

• 15 Wins Seasons: 2 (1934 & 1935)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1934 & 1935)
• Won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1934

Further Reading

• Phil S. Dixon: The Dizzy and Daffy Dean Barnstorming Tour: Race, Media, and America’s National Pastime, Rowman and Littlefield, Lanham, MD, 2019. ISBN 978-1-5381-2739-1
• Paul Geisler: "Paul Dee Dean", in Charles F. Faber, ed.: The 1934 St. Louis Cardinals: The World Champion Gas House Gang, SABR, Phoenix, AZ, 2014, pp. 86-95. ISBN 978-1-933599-731

Related Sites

• Paul Dean at the SABR Bio Project

This manager's article is missing a managerial chart. To make this person's article more complete, one should be added.