1955 Dizzy Dean Signed Score Book w/ Buddy Blattner – COA JSA

Following his playing career, Dizzy Dean became a well-known radio and television sportscaster, calling baseball for the Cardinals (1941–1946), Browns (1941–1948), Yankees (1950–1951), and Atlanta Braves (1966–1968) and nationally with Mutual (1952), ABC (1953–1954), and CBS (1955–1965), where he teamed first with Buddy Blattner then with Pee Wee Reese. As a broadcaster, Dean was famous for his wit and his often-colorful butchering of the English language.

Much like football star-turned-sportscaster Terry Bradshaw years later, he chose to build on, rather than counter, his image as a not-too-bright country boy, as a way of entertaining fans: “The Good Lord was good to me. He gave me a strong right arm, a good body, and a weak mind.” He once saw Browns outfielder Al Zarilla slide into a base, and said, “Zarilla slud into third!” “Slud” instead of “slid” became a frequently-used Dean expression. Thanks to baseball fan Charles Schulz, another Dean expression found its way into a Peanuts strip, as Lucy commented on a batter who swung at a pitch outside the strike zone: “He shouldn’t hadn’t ought-a swang!”

Presented is a vintage 1955 Chicago White Sox score book autographed by the announcers of the game, Dizzy Dean and Buddy Blattner. Each signed the booklet cover in blue ballpoint pen (“9”). The score book itself is intact and unscored but shows handling wear (creasing etc.).

Authentication: JSA Full Letter

Dizzy Dean Signed Score Book