Paul Dean

Who was Paul Dean?

Paul Dee "Daffy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Born in Lucas, Arkansas, he pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals, the New York Giants, and the St. Louis Browns.

Dean played several years of baseball alongside his more notable pitching brother, Jay "Dizzy" Dean. Because of his brother's nickname, Dean also had a nickname, Daffy, but this did not reflect his personality as he was considered quiet and serious. The nickname was mainly a creation of the press.

During his rookie season, Dean pitched a no-hitter on September 21, 1934. He finished the year with a 19-11 record to help St. Louis win the National League pennant. In the World Series, he and his brother won two games apiece, combining for a 4-1 record, 28 strikeouts and a 1.43 ERA, as the Cardinals took the series against the Detroit Tigers in seven games.

The following year, he won 19 games again. He got injured, however, and pitched ineffectively for the rest of his career.

Dean is featured prominently in some versions of Abbott & Costello's Who's on First comedy sketch. In the sketch Abbott is explaining to Costello that many ballplayers have unusual nicknames including Dizzy Dean, his brother Daffy Dean and their "French cousin Goo-fay Dean" The fictitious French cousin's name is goofy pronounced with an exaggerated French accent.