Dean Chance
From BR Bullpen
Wilmer Dean Chance
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 3", Weight 200 lb.
- Debut September 11, 1961
- Final Game August 9, 1971
- Born June 1, 1941 in Plain Township, OH USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Dean Chance was the first big pitching star of the fledgling Los Angeles Angels, and later in his career he was part of the division-winning 1969 Minnesota Twins.
He won the 1964 Cy Young Award, dominating the 1964 American League with a 1.65 ERA and 11 shutouts.
Chance, born in 1941, signed as a free agent in 1959 and went 10-3 for Bluefield in the Appalachian League that year. In 1960 he was 12-9 for Fox Cities. He pitched most of 1961 for Dallas-Fort Worth, going 9-12, before coming up to the majors for his debut on Sept. 11, 1961, at the age of 20.
The 1961 Los Angeles Angels were in the first year of their existence, and Chance was not the team's youngest player. Jim Fregosi and Bob Sprout were both 19, while Tom Satriano and Dan Ardell were both also 20.
Chance became part of the regular rotation in 1962, winning in double figures for seven straight seasons. He was traded after the 1966 season to the Minnesota Twins, and continued his winning ways there. In 1970 he spent most of the year with the 1970 Indians, going 9-8 before the 1970 Mets bought him near the end of the season. He closed out his career with the 1971 Tigers, where he had an ERA of 3.51 for manager Billy Martin.
Chance had a major league career ERA of 2.92, currently (as of September 2009) # 146 on the all time list for lowest ERA.
In 1969 he became a boxing manager and promoter, and as of 2006 he was president of the International Boxing Association.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1962 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
- 2-time AL All-Star (1964 & 1967)
- ML Cy Young Award Winner (1964)
- 1967 AL Comeback Player of the Year Award
- AL ERA Leader (1964)
- AL Wins Leader (1964)
- 2-time AL Innings Pitched Leader (1964 & 1967)
- 2-time AL Complete Games Leader (1964 & 1967)
- AL Shutouts Leader (1964)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 4 (1964, 1965, 1967 & 1968)
- 20 Wins Seasons: 2 (1964 & 1967)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 7 (1962-1968)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 3 (1964, 1967 & 1968)
| ML Cy Young Award | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | 1964 | 1965 |
| Sandy Koufax | Dean Chance | Sandy Koufax |
