Dean Chance was a Wayne County farm boy who made it big in the big leagues. This summer the Wayne County Historical Society is hosting the largest exhibit of Chance artifacts and memorabilia ever shown to the public. “Dean Chance: His Life and Legend”, sponsored by RES Auction Services, can be seen Saturdays, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the historical society, 546 E. Bowman St. in Wooster.
A 6-foot-3, right-handed pitcher, Chance won the 1964 Cy Young Award at age 23 while pitching for the Los Angeles Angels, posting a 20-9 record with a 1.65 ERA and 207 strikeouts. He pitched 11 shutouts that year, including five 1-0 wins, and 15 complete games. In 50 innings against the Yankees, he gave up just one run — a homer by Mickey Mantle.
Chance played in 11 MLB seasons for the Angels (1961-66), Minnesota Twins (1967-69), Cleveland Indians (1970), New York Mets (1970), and Detroit Tigers (1971).
A 1959 graduate of Northwestern High School, he helped lead the Huskies to Class A state titles in basketball in 1958 and baseball in 1959, playing for Dan Baker and Roy Bates, respectively. He is a member of five Halls of Fame: California Angels (2015), Ohio Basketball (2014), Ohio Baseball, Wayne County (1976 charter class), and Northwestern High School.
This exhibit includes hundreds of photos, along with old letters, baseball and boxing mementos, items from his days growing up on the family farm and at Northwestern H.S., and much more.
Dean Chance delivers.
“My family and I are really excited about this special exhibit of my dad’s life and his many accomplishments,” said Brett Chance of Columbus, Dean’s son. “It’s so appropriate that it be displayed here in Wayne County because though my dad traveled far and wide for baseball, boxing, and the carnival business, he always considered Wayne County and the surrounding area as home.”
Chance, who passed away in 2015 at age 74, was involved in a great many activities away from baseball. He was a longtime carnival showman, the founder and president of the International Boxing Association, and a gentleman farmer who raised Black Angus cattle.
“We hope people of all ages come to see the exhibit, then invite their friends and family to see it as well,” said Vicki Slater, WCHS volunteer. “Our hope is to bring people who have never been here onto the campus. We’re thankful to Andy White for RES Auction Services’ sponsorship, which allows us to promote the exhibit and the historical society.”
“Dean Chance: His Life and Legend” is open every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through Oct. 15. Admission, which includes a tour of the eight-building campus, is $5 per person, free for current WCHS members and children 14 and under.
