The Pride of St. Louis

A Cardinals scout arrives in a small Ozarks town to evaluate Jerome 'Dizzy' Dean. He is impressed by Dean's confidence and raw talent but unexpectedly assigns him to the Houston Buffaloes in the minor leagues. Dean assumes this means the club wants him to start in the major leagues, not in the minors.

Dean is teased for his rustic clothes, so he visits a department store to buy a sharper look. There he meets Patricia Nash, a credit officer he pursues with gusto. Their budding romance becomes a persistent thread through his career.

During an exhibition between the Buffaloes and the Chicago White Sox, Dean delivers an almost perfect game. He spots Pat with another man, which unsettles him briefly. Reporters nicknamed him 'Dizzy' as his bravado and talent attract attention.

Dean asks Pat to elope and marry him, displaying his impulsive, romantic nature. Pat is surprised but agrees to marry him, tying her fate to his rising fame. The engagement foreshadows the high personal stakes of his baseball life.

Dean is summoned to spring training with the Cardinals, buoyed by his status. His brother Paul joins him in St. Louis, turning the Dean brothers into a local spectacle as ushers, ticket sellers, and mascots. Their antics energize the team but eventually draw the manager's ire.

Their behavior leads to a fine from manager Frankie Frisch, triggering Dizzy's strike. He refuses to back down, prompting Pat to urge him to grow up and compromise. Dizzy storms out of their apartment in a heated moment.

Dean meets Johnny Kendall, a businessman who relies on crutches and a specially equipped car. Kendall's calm acceptance of his own handicap moves Dizzy and helps him reassess his priorities. This meeting helps end his strike and return to the team.

With their charisma and talent, the Dean brothers help propel the Cardinals to a World Series victory. The season is defined by colorful antics, clutch performances, and the public's growing adoration. It marks the peak of Dizzy's early career.

A line drive breaks one of Dizzy's toes, prompting a return to pitching too soon despite warnings about further arm damage. The risky comeback further damages his pitching arm and reputation. Soon after, he loses his place on the Major League squad.

Dizzy's performance declines and even a minor league team releases him. He turns to drinking and gambling in an attempt to forget his troubles. Pat leaves him, insisting she will not return until he 'grows up'.

Desperate for work, Dizzy asks Johnny Kendall for a sales job but instead becomes a broadcaster for Johnny's radio station. His thick Arkansas drawl, colorful stories, and infectious humor make him an instant hit with listeners. The new career rejuvenates his public image.

An irate group of teachers opposes his presence, claiming his poor English influences children. He quits broadcasting rather than capitulate to critics. On his final broadcast, he delivers heartfelt instructions to the children to pursue education.

During his last on-air appearance, Dizzy urges children to pursue education, and the head of the teachers' committee praises his message. He respects the balance between teaching English and teaching baseball as Pat waits for him at home, signaling a hopeful closure to this chapter.