Player Profile

Biography / Info

• Dazzy Vance pitched briefly in 1915 and 1918 and then from 1922 through 1935. He was a late bloomer as far as pitchers go. Known for his long arms, high leg kick and outstanding fastball. Vance had a free spirit and was always well liked by the fans. On the mound, he was all business and compiled 197 wins, all after the age of 31. 
• At age 5, moved with his family to Hastings Nebraska. It is said, an uncle game him his nickname "Dazzy" after the young boy mimicked a cowboy-entertainer who pronounced 'Daisy' as 'Dazzy'. The name stuck as Vance would later sign autographs A.C. "Dazzy" Vance.
• The big farm boy played baseball for his high school team in Hastings. . In 1912, at age 21, he signed a professional contract with the Superior club of the Nebraska League for $100 per month.  In August of 1914, he got a promotion to St. Josephs of the Western League where he went 9-8 with a 2.96 earned run average.

His Playing Days

• 1915: Shelled in his major league debut with the Pirates and sent back to St. Josephs. The Yankees would give him a late season look but his lack of control earned him another ticket to the minors. Unfortunately, the next spring he developed an inflamed elbow, an injury a doctor said would take 5 years to completely heal.
• 1918: After bouncing around in the minor leagues on several clubs for two seasons, the Yankees brought him back for another trial. Again he was roughed up in his 2 games of relief. Back to the minors he went, but now he decided to pitch sparingly to heal up his elbow. He would develop a curveball to go along with his fastball.
• 1922: The Dodgers purchased Vance and his catcher Hank DeBerry from New Orleans of the Southern Association. for $10,000. By this time Dazzy's fastball had returned, but the Dodgers didn't hold out a lot of hope as Vance had already failed in 3 attempts in the big leagues. His age was a concern as well, as he was now a 31 year old rookie. Nonetheless, under Dodger manager Wilbert Robinson's tutelage, Vance turned out a spectacular season and led the league in strikeouts and shutouts.
• 1924: Possibly his finest season in the majors. Led league in wins, strikeouts, complete games, and earned run average. Finished second in innings pitched, only 2.1 innings behind the league leader and teammate, Burleigh Grimes.  
• 1925: Struck out 17 Cardinals in a 10 inning game and also hurled a late season no hitter against the Phillies. Led league in wins, strikeouts and shutouts. 
• 1928: Led the circuit for the 7th consecutive and final time in strikeouts. Led the league in earned run average and shutouts. Had a 1.000 fielding percentage, making no errors in 72 chances.  
• 1930: Led the league in earned run average and shutouts.
• 1933: With his fastball slowing down the Dodgers traded the soon to be 42 year old hurler to the St. Louis Cardinals. 
• 1934: Sent to the Reds, but wound up back in a St. Louis uniform as a member of the infamous "Gas House Gang". In the twilight of his career, the 43 year made his first and only appearance in a World Series game. It came in the third inning of the third game against the Detroit Tigers. That series has gone down as one of the most hotly contested series ever.  He relieved starting pitcher Tex Carlton who was getting knocked around by the Tigers. In his one and a third innings pitched he fanned three, walked one, gave up two hits and allowed one unearned tally. After suffering through many poor teams in Brooklyn this appearance highlighted and capped off his career. The Cards went on to win the series in 7 games. 
• 1935: Released by the Cardinals, he was brought back home to Brooklyn to finish his career, where he was still a fan favorite. 

Post Major League

• Dazzy and his wife Edyth settled in Homosassa Springs Florida, an acreage they purchased in 1927.

Hall of Fame

• Dazzy was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955, the year the Brooklyn Dodgers won their first World Series.

Career Statistics