Dean Chance, R.I.P. - The American Spectator | USA News and Politics
Dean Chance, R.I.P.
by

Former big league pitcher Dean Chance was found dead in his home in Ohio today. He was 74. 

After minor league stints with the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Senators, Chance made his big league debut with the Los Angeles Angels late in their inaugural season in 1961. Chance would win 14 games in 1962. He and Bo Belinsky led a pitching staff that gave the New York Yankees a run for their money that season. His best season came in 1964 when he would win the MLB Cy Young Award (at the time there weren’t separate Cy Youngs for each league). Chance led the AL in wins (20), ERA (1.65), innings pitched (278 1/3), complete games (15) and shutouts (11). At 23, Chance would be the youngest pitcher to win a Cy Young until Dwight Gooden won the NL Cy Young at the age of 20 in 1985. 

In 1967, the Angels would trade Chance to the Minnesota Twins. For the second time in his career, he would win 20 games. That season he also led the AL in games started (39), complete games (18) and innings pitched (283 2/3). Chance would also throw a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians in 1967. The Twins came within a heartbeat of winning the AL pennant that year, but Chance would be bested by Boston Red Sox ace Jim Lonborg on the last day of the season. Chance would never pitch in the post-season.

Chance’s career declined after 1967. The Twins would trade him to the Indians prior to the 1970 season in a deal that would involve Graig Nettles and Luis Tiant. The Tribe would trade Chance to the New York Mets during the ’70 season. He would finish his big league career at the age of 30 with the Detroit Tigers in 1971.

Chance spent much of post-baseball as a carnival promoter and would later be a founder of the International Boxing Association (IBA). He was also active in many charitable ventures.

In August, the Angels inducted Chance into the team’s Hall of Fame. Here is a short video from his induction ceremony.

Sign up to receive our latest updates! Register


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Be a Free Market Loving Patriot. Subscribe Today!