Ricky Hawkins, age 13, of Tacoma, Wash., for his question:

WHO WAS DIZZY DEAN?

Dizzy Dean was one of baseball's most colorful personalities. In addition to being one of the greatest pitchers of all time, he was also a popular sports announcer.

Born in Lucas, Ark., in 1911, his real name was Jay Hanna Dean. He quit school after the second grade and picked cotton until he was 16. Then, after a three year tour in the Army, Dean became a professional baseball player at the age of 19.

He pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs from 1932 until 1941. He won 30 games in 1934. In the 1934 World Series, Dizzy and his brother Daffy (Paul) each pitched two victories for St. Louis over the Detroit Tigers. St. Louis won this series, four games to three.

Dizzy Dean developed a sore arm in 1937 and was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1938. His arm never returned to normal and in 1941 he retired and became a sports announcer.

Dean was known for his colorful and quaint announcing style. He used such expressions as "The runner slud into third," and "He throwed the ball."