Jay hanna dizzy dean biography of albert

(b. 16 January 1910 in Lucas, Arkansas; d. 17 July 1974 in Reno, Nevada), Hall of Fame pitcher, broadcaster, raconteur, and unique baseball personality.

Dean, who also used the name Jerome Herman but was best known by his nickname Dizzy, was the second of three surviving children of Albert Monroe Dean and his wife, Alma Frances Nelson, who were sharecroppers.

Dean's mother died of tuberculosis when he was eight, and after her death his school attendance was sporadic. Dean's father remarried, and the family lived in several places, including Chickalah, Arkansas, and Spaulding, Oklahoma.

Dean joined the U.S.

Army at sixteen. He was incapable of following orders—hence his nickname—but he was a standout pitcher for the regimental team, as well as for several semiprofessional teams in and around San Antonio, Texas. Dean left the army in March 1929, and in May was signed to a contract by the St.

Louis Cardinals organization.

Dean began his prof