The Dizzy and Daffy Dean Barnstorming Tour by Phil S. Dixon

Author:Phil S. Dixon
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781538127407
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

The article was yet another case of the systemic bias African American fans and players routinely faced in the white media.

Isaminger’s article was patronizing toward the Philadelphia Stars. He held his debasing compliments of the Deans in reserve, saving the worst for last. Isaminger obviously cared little for Dizzy and Daffy or their All-Stars squad. Other than the pitchers, he failed to mention any of the white All-Stars by first name, while praising the “marvelous veteran right-hander Webster McDonald” and tall youthful left-hander Slim Jones, who he advised had a “whiplash” on every pitch. His approach was a bombshell in that few saw it coming. And while it was an obvious attempt to humble the Deans in print, the comments went without debate. In the same article, he made reference to the team’s cultural backgrounds. “They [the Deans] were attached to a team of Philadelphia Stars, all white players, and Eddie Bolden’s Negro players, styled the Philadelphia Stars, defeated their Caucasian opponents in both games,” wrote Isaminger. The things he penned about the Deans weren’t at all complementary. Some were downright devilish.

Showing little compassion for the Deans, Isaminger wrote, “Dizzy and Daffy Dean did their chores at Shibe Park yesterday afternoon in a doubleheader, but it was nothing of which the Dean dynasty will be proud.”37 He went on to write more about Dizzy and Daffy than he had the actual game.

Parris’s article in the Record was almost enchanting compared to the others. His story was the most detailed, and it touched on the inner workings of the game. It was he who told of Paul’s three chances in the outfield and how the crowd’s cheers turned to “jeers” when Dizzy stopped pitching. In his article he spoke of the Philadelphia Stars’ hitting against Dizzy, and how the Cardinals pitcher “spun ’em down the alley,” and how a trio of the Stars “spun ’em right back at him.”38 He told his readers how there was one Dean in “every inning of the first game.” Parris seemed to have known Mackey, Bolden, and McDonald, who he gave first name or nickname recognition to in his stories. McDonald called Mackey the “best [catcher] in baseball bar none,” and Parris must have known that, while writing little about what he had witnessed.39 His article was also illustrated with pictures.

Jud Wilson was photographed stealing third base in the ninth inning of game one—a stolen base that wasn’t recorded in the Record’s box score. As a matter of record, the Ledger did credit stolen bases to Paul “Jake” Stevens, Jud Wilson, and Jake Dunn, who stole two, for a total of four stolen bases in game one. Stevens added another stolen base in game two. Another photograph, this one of Stevens sliding into third base, appeared in the Baltimore Afro-American.

Stan Baumgartner, a former player who had taken a desk job at the Inquirer, focused on the Dean brothers’ entertainment value:

The Deans, baseball’s clever clowns, are here today to give you a little pitching—and a lot of laughs.

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