As Dizzy said, "It ain't braggin' if you can back it up." And his stats and acheivements indeed back up his nomination as the best athlete to wear number 17. Dizzy pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs between 1930 and 1941. He also made a comeback with the St. Louis Browns in 1947. Part of the 1934 "Gashouse Gang," Dizzy was the last player to win 30 games until 1974 (he went 30-7 in 1934.) Dizzy was the NL MVP in 1934, and led the NL for four consecutive years in both complete games and strikeouts. Dizzy was certainly quotable, coming up with these statements:
- "I ain't what I used to be, but who the hell is?"
- "All ballplayers want to wind up their career with the Cubs, Giants or Yankees. They just can't help it."
- "Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss."
(quotes courtesy of dizzydean.com)
Did you know.....Dizzy pitched alongside his brother Paul "Daffy" Dean, with the Cardinals? (photo courtesy of sportsecyclopedia.com)
Cardinals
When my buddy and I made the same list, we had a long argument between Dizzy and John Havlicek. I wanted Dean.
ReplyDeleteeasily havlicek... easily... 2nd.. braylon edwards
ReplyDeleteCheck out Jari Kurri for your Number 17....Hall of famer, scored a ton of goals off those super passes by Wayne Gretzky.
ReplyDeleteWait...didn't Him Hart wear 17?
ReplyDeleteJohn "Hondo" Havlicek... No doubt about it.
ReplyDeleteI am too young to know about havlicek, but from what i have heard from my dad, he was one of the greatest players ever on one of the greatest teams ever. As for dizzy dean, i play a lot of sports and i am not a big fan of bragging...althouh he was pretty funny
ReplyDeleteJari Kurri should've 100% won this.
ReplyDeleteUm, Jake Delhomme anyone?
ReplyDeletei was expecting John Havlicek myself... quite pleasantly surprised to see ole Diz here... very good sleeper pick for 17
ReplyDeleteTake another look, please. Dizz was the last to win 30 until 1968, not 1974. That would be ... Denny McLain, Detroit Tigers, 31-6. Coincidentally, he also wore #17. And, nobody has won 30 since.
ReplyDeleteI would have to go with Hondo Havlicek here.
ReplyDeleteValeri Kharmalov. The second greatest hockey player who's ever lived, after Bobby Orr. So great, Bobby Clarke had to deliberately break the guy's ankle in order for Canada to beat the Soviets.
ReplyDeleteIf Valeri Kharmalov had played in the NHL and had a great career I would agree with you but he didn't. Kharmalov was part of a Russian all-star team not a regular hockey team. He was great in the summit series in the 1970's and he was on the losing team when the USA won gold in 1980. I still think Jari Kurri is the best player to wear the #17. Check the stats...
ReplyDeleteCharlie Ward, end of story
ReplyDeleteHondo 1st, Kurri 2nd and Philip Rivers allready makes 3rd.
ReplyDeleteKharlamov best player ever!
ReplyDelete