The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-07

Grounds for the Giants.
When young Dean carried his first.
ball and glove to the corner lot he
did not become the pitcher because
he was advised by the mayor and
sheriff to pick out that position on
the diamond. 1t was like many be.
fore him--a pitcher because every.
body else in the neighborhood want.
ed to pitch. And young Waylani
eliminated all competitors by strik.
ing out nineteen in the game that
decided the neighborhood champion.
ship.
From that game. played back, in
: 1910, Wayland Dean was envied and
admired by his school chums. He
continued to pitch and initiate
Matty but never with the thought
ct making baseball his profession. A
Clerk in a grocery store was more
70 his liking. He was home boy
from the toes up and what the out.
side world had to offer did not in.
terest him.
As for New York, the big cities
OF the major league circuits and
the prospects Of eventually getting
that far, well Wayland Dean ad-
vanced to q Semi.prO pitcher at
home and was perfectly satisfied
with dishing out a pound of coffee
and packing a dozen eggs.
The fame Of baseball hero, how
ever, spreads rapidly. Walter John
son was found at Weiser, Idaho;
Tyrus Cobb was discovered at Au.
gusta, Ga; iris Speaker was secuted
at Clebrune, Tex; Rog Hornsby
started at Denison, Tex; George
Slsler was signed by the Pittsburgh
Pirates while attending high school
at Akron, Ohio, and Wayland Dean
was heard about as far East from
Huntington as Louisville, KY.
The tip on young Dean was strong
enough to have q contract delivered
to the Dean home in the spring of
1922. Friends had to push him
along and force him to sign and
when he caught the train for the
Kentucky Metropolis there was
parade up to the Huntington sta.
ton.
But from the semi-pro fields of
virginia to the American Associa,
ton Is quite a jump. Wayland
gave the American Association hat.
terS his underhand, side-arm and
overland shoots. He appeared in
eleven gam-s in the spring of
1922, winning three and losing five.
Not so good and with Nick Cullop,
Indian Tincup, Joe Deberry, Tom.
my Long, and Ernie Koob for the
Colonels pitching staff it was de.
clded to have Dean master the
professional tricks Of the pitching
hill where the competition was not
50 stiff.
The transfer to DaytOna in the
FLORIDA State League followed. A
box score, announcing a no.hit
across the wires during the sum.
mer Of 1922. That was enough
Tor Louisville and Dean was In.
etructed to report to the COIOneIs
In the spring of 1923.
One full season in the Florida
state League developed Dean AMI
AZ early as the summer of 1928
This lean lad from Virginia was
tipped as the biggest pitching prize
IN the entire minor league market.
When a minor league phenom is
discovered and put on the cash
Dlock there 1s only one place to
, 1and-New York, with either the
Yankees or the Giants doing the
purchasing. The bidding was spir.
ited last winter and the Giants of.
fered the top price.
All eyes were set on Deans debut
IN New York, April II. McGraw.
himself, was particularly interested
as Macs own words after watch. |
ing the kid in spring training were:
Another Mathewson."
In the first inning Jimmy John. |
'eton and jacques Fourier hit over
the fence for home runs. It was
noisy reception for the kid from
Virginia, but he returned to terra
firma and allowing but four hits in |
the remaining eight innings, won
3 to 2. In his second game he was
beaten by the Superbas. 8 to 2, |
when homer by Bernie Mes in |
the seventh netted two runs. Dean
won his third game, 2 to 1, from |
the Braves.
Home runs beat Dean in his
next two starts, Cy Williams
eOcking one for the circuit that |
drove the yOungster from the hill |
for the first time and Max Flack
hosting one over the right field
fence In st. Louis in the third
inning that also caused Mc1raw
TO throw out the hook.
Thus 1t can be seen that home |
runs have been prominent in Deans
early pitching this season. He com.
mented about this part Of his pitch.
ing.
i've noticed one thing in the diff.
ference Of town lot pitching and the |
big league stuff" remarked Dean |
recently. "Left.handed hitters hit a |
curve breaking in to the inside |
harder in the majors than back |
home.
Experience is the greatest
teacher and I'm willing to pass out |
what i have learned without cost. |
I O11asa I'm lila oil H,0,,nu.to.. --.-