This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/7/2009
In the year of the '34 Goudey issue, Dizzy Dean led his "Gashouse Gang" of rough and tough (and dirty) Cardinals to a World Series victory over the Detroit Tigers. Despite a probable concussion suffered in Game 4, he returned to pitch in Games 5 and 7, buoying the hopes of untold fans in all parts of the depression-ravaged country. For his efforts that season (30-7 with a 2.66 ERA), Dean won the MVP award in addition to his World Series ring, hence the popularity of the offered 1934 Goudey card, but the effect he had on fans was infinitely more significant than we could ever imagine today. At the time, the St. Louis club was the southernmost and westernmost club in the major leagues and quickly attracted the adoration of fans from across the plains and down both seaboards. In the midst of the Great Depression, untold numbers of fans identified with the spirit of the team. They weren't always the best, but they hustled and they worked hard; they persevered through the tough times, took pay cuts, and rarely washed their uniforms. They were the antithesis of the slick and rich NY Giants. They were "America's Team," and Diz' their ice-cool ace. His swagger and bravado was second to none. "It ain't braggin' if ya can back it up" was one of his favorite lines, and boy did he mean it... Like the time he bet he could strike out Vince DiMaggio four times in one game. After three strike-outs, DiMaggio hit a pop foul to the catcher, who let it drop on orders from Dean, who gassed the next pitch past an embarrassed DiMaggio and won the bet. Such stories about the famous "Gashouse Gang" abound in MLB lore, but as the generations pass, so, too, does our collective appreciation for players like Dizzy Dean. Of course, a strong bid on the offered Goudey Gum card relic from Dean's MVP season can help to revitalize that appreciation, but don't base your decision strictly on sentimentality. The offered 1934 Goudey example of Dizzy Dean is among the finest we've ever offered. MINT corners at all points but the marginally NM/MT bottom right join sensationally MINT or better edges around a strong MINT obverse with no prominent print imperfections whatsoever to merit just the fourth grade of NM/MT 8 by SGC from 75 submissions. Truly stunning!