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Dick Allen Photo Gallery
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A Tribute to Dick Allen, RIP
“One day people will understand that standing up for yourself and your dignity makes you a man and not a malcontent.” —SABR member Mitchell Nathanson, speaking of Dick Allen
“Dick Allen hits the ball harder than any player I’ve ever seen.” –Willie Mays
I don’t have to go into a lot of great detail to convince you that this year, 2020, has been the most dysfunctional year in baseball history, superseding the previous leader, 1918, by a long shot. But what’s even worse is that, with still three weeks to go, we’ve already lost six Hall-of-Famers.
Now we add another great player to the list. Although he’s not enshrined in the Hall, many think he belongs. So this week, we must bid a sad farewell to Dick Allen.
A while back I wrote about the Phillies’ historic 1964 collapse. Some of our readers commented at the time that Allen has been overlooked for the Hall of Fame. I’d heard this before, so I decided to do a little research into his career. After doing so, I came to the conclusion that a strong case can be made that Dick Allen belongs in the Hall.
Of the 24 first baseman already in the Hall of Fame, he would fit in rather well. For instance, his 351 home runs would place him ahead of ten. He falls short in some of the typical benchmarks for enshrinement. He didn’t hit 500 home runs or amass 3000 hits. But one thing I learned for sure: When you look past the surface and delve deeper into his career, you discover that Dick Allen was a better all-around player than a good number of those who are already in.
Dick Allen’s Career Statistics
The Waumpum, Pennsylvania native played 15 seasons (1963-’77) in the majors for the Phillies (1963-’69, 1975-’76), Cardinals (1970), Dodgers (1971), White Sox (1972-’74), and Athletics (1977). Over his career, he hit .292, with 351 homers, 1119 RBIs, a .534 slugging percentage, and a .378 on-base percentage. Allen had a remarkable 11-year peak, putting up .299/.386/.554 numbers from 1964 through 1974. That’s a slash line that would be impressive in the high-scoring 1930s, but Allen did it in the heart of the “Pitchers’ Era” (think Koufax, Gibson, Drysdale, Jenkins).
Allen was a seven-time All-Star, National League Rookie of the Year (1964), American League MVP (1972), two-time American League home run leader, and one-time American League RBI leader. He led the National League in slugging percentage once, and the American League twice. Four times he was the OPS leader. Allen hit over 30 home runs six times. For many years he held the highest slugging percentage among players not in the Hall.
Dick Allen’s rookie year of 1964 ranks among the greatest rookie seasons ever. He led the league in runs (125), triples (13), extra-base hits (80), and total bases (352); and finished in the top five in batting average (.318), slugging average (.557), hits (201), and doubles (38).
When the Phillies suffered their collapse in 1964 by losing ten straight games to blow a 6 ½ game lead with 12 to play, Allen was one of the few bright spots, hitting .438, with five doubles, two triples, three home runs, and 11 RBI in those last 12 games.
After suffering much abuse in Philadelphia, often racially tainted, he thrived under manager Chuck Tanner in Chicago after the White Sox obtained him in a trade for Tommy John. Many years later, he still remains one of the most popular players in White Sox history, despite playing only three seasons with the Sox. As the franchise’s first Black star, the Phillies gave him the long-overdue honor of retiring his number 15 last September.
Allen’s OPS+ Tells The Story!
Many historians point out that Dick Allen began his career during the mid-1960s, a period so dominated by pitchers that it’s sometimes called the “second Dead Ball Era.” He also played much of his career in pitcher-friendly parks like Busch Memorial Stadium, Dodger Stadium, and Comiskey Park. That’s why his offensive numbers and his 156 OPS+ are so impressive. This valuable sabrmetric stat adjusts a player’s OPS for the era and parks in which he played, with 100 being the major league average.
Of the players whose careers intersected with him, only Mickey Mantle‘s lifetime OPS+ of 172 topped Allen’s lifetime 156. In addition, his career 156 currently ranks Allen 20th all-time. What’s even more impressive, he ranks sixth all-time among right-handed hitters, tied with Frank Thomas and Willie Mays, and ahead of such sluggers as Hank Aaron and Joe DiMaggio.
One Of The Most Powerful Sluggers Ever
Not only did Dick Allen put up great offensive numbers, he was also a complete ballplayer. He was an outstanding fielder and a smart, aggressive baserunner, including 133 stolen bases. His massive physical strength often resulted in prodigious, tape-measure blasts. Baseball historian Bill Jenkinson ranks him with Foxx and Mantle – and just a notch below Babe Ruth – as the four top long-distance sluggers in baseball history. Twice Allen cleared Connie Mack Stadium‘s 65-foot-high right-center field scoreboard, a feat considered virtually impossible for a right-handed hitter. One was a massive blow estimated at 529 feet.
Controversial? His Teammates Loved Him!
Controversy always seemed to find Dick Allen, and perhaps that’s why he’s not yet been elected to the Hall. Bill James rated Dick Allen as the second-most controversial player in baseball history, behind only Rogers Hornsby. But that harsh judgment doesn’t seem to square with comments by his contemporaries. Here are some quotes from Dick Allen’s teammates and others who saw him play:
- “Dick Allen was ahead of his time. He played the game in the most conservative era in baseball history. It was a time of change and protest in the country. His way of doing things would go unnoticed today. If I had been manager of the Phillies, I would have found a way to make Dick Allen comfortable. When Dick Allen was comfortable, balls left the park” -Willie Stargell
- “Allen was not a ‘clubhouse lawyer’ who harmed team chemistry. Dick was the leader of our team, the captain, the manager on the field. He took care of the young kids, took them under his wing. And he played every game as if it was his last day on earth” –Chuck Tanner
- “Dick’s behavior never had a negative effect on the team. His teammates always liked him. I’d take him in a minute.” -Gene Mauch
- “I’ve been around the game a long time, and he’s the greatest player I’ve ever seen play in my life. He had the most amazing season in 1972 I’ve ever seen. He’s the smartest baseball man I’ve ever been around in my life. He taught me how to pitch from a hitter’s perspective, and taught me how to play the game right. There’s no telling the numbers this guy could have put up if all he worried about was stats. The guy belongs in the Hall of Fame.” -Hall-of-Famer Rich Gossage
Dick Allen in more recent years - “I actually thought that Dick was better than his stats. Every time we needed a clutch hit, he got it. He got along great with his teammates and he was very knowledgeable about the game. He was the ultimate team guy.” -Teammate Stan Bahnsen
- “Dick Allen was my mentor. The baseball writers used to claim that Dick would divide the clubhouse along racial lines. That was a lie. The truth is that Dick never divided any clubhouse.” –Mike Schmidt
No question that we lost a great one this week. I’d say Dick Allen has been vastly underrated, vastly mischaracterized, and definitely belongs in the Hall of Fame. What do you think?
Gary Livacari
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He definitely belongs in the HOF. If he was playing against your team, you did not want him up with men on base and the game close. He was so close last time with the “new” veterans committee. Hopefully the next time they get it right.
Thanks Craig, I agree.
Im 65yrs old now , and I’ve loved baseball since 5yrs. old. Im also lifer, homer Phillies fan. When I was 9-10 yrs.old Richie (he was Richie in 1964) Allen came to the team. Each day after the preceding nights game, I’d rush from school to get and deliver
My Evening Bulletin paper route. But first I’d pull a paper and check the Sports section
to see the box score and anything else relating to the Phillies game. For baseball,
Rich Allen filled the section. He was excitement plus in the spring and summer of the
1964 season, giving all “Phillies Phans” great expectations and thrills. Sometimes the
paper ran photos of Allen’s tremendous home runs, with a dotted line and arrow
tracing the otherwise unbelievable ball flights (like the HR I witnessed at ConnieMack
rattle down right-center field light tower!) I still Love Richie Allen
A great player! I loved him as a thirteen year old in ’64 when he was such an exciting Rookie of the Year but gosh, he caused so many of his own problems and missed so many games over his career due to disciplinary issues as well as questionable injuries. I will admit he was a great player at the wrong time, for sure. As far as the Hall of Fame is concerned, I have said in the past, sometimes I believe he cost his teams more losses than won games for them. I watched his entire career – closely – he really was a “top ten” (maybe top 5) player (combining both leagues) from 1964-’74, 10 years, but I still recall too many negatives from this enigmatic star for a HOF vote but if he ever does get in, I would have no problem.
Thanks James for the personal observations. Those are always more meaningful coming from someone who saw his entire career. I’m just looking at the raw numbers. You are able to see “between the stats,” so to speak. Greatly appreciated.
James don’t contradict yourself. “Great player”, “loved him”, “Rookie of the Year” you say. Next sentence, ” gosh ” he caused his “own” problems because of “disciplinary issues” and worse you say “questionable injuries” !?! Where’s your proof ? If you look at player, teammates and manager quotes about his character and skills at all teams and levels, it doesn’t fit. You’re just repeating what the Philadelphia sports writers and team ownership cooked up at the time. Disgraceful as it is now the racial prejudice exhibited by this collusion is painfully evident. I could see it as a 10yr. old. To them everything he did, except baseball, was news. People like them and YOU forced Mr. Allen to want an exit from Philadelphia. ps One of the main writer culprits at the time [Conlin] was a man who was convicted of child (his niece) molestation . A person of Integrity !
Comment from Bill Schaefer:
Yeah, Gary, good case for Dick Allen–probably agree with you and Craig. Seems to be a curious disconnect between popular perception and great comments made by Allen’s mates. I always thought he was a divisive malcontent. But, as you say, he was apparently “vastly mischaracterized.”
Somewhat negative eyeball test for the HOF: led league twice in strikeouts (carer ave. 144/season), under 1900 hits, under .300 lifetime BA.
But your 11 year super stat review, OPS +, fine fielder, could steal a base for you, plus murderous power–all add up.
Best, Bill
Im 65yrs old now , and I’ve loved baseball since 5yrs. old. Im also lifer, homer Phillies
fan. When I was 9-10 yrs.old Richie (he was Richie in 1964) Allen came to the team.
Each day after the preceding nights game, I’d rush from school to get and deliver
My Evening Bulletin paper route. But first I’d pull a paper and check the Sports section
to see the box score and anything else relating to the Phillies game. For baseball,
Rich Allen filled the section. He was excitement plus in the spring and summer of the
1964 season, giving all “Phillies Phans” great expectations and thrills. Sometimes the
paper ran photos of Allen’s tremendous home runs, with a dotted line and arrow
tracing the otherwise unbelievable ball flights (like the HR I witnessed at ConnieMack
rattle down right-center field light tower!) I still Love Richie Allen RCG
Im 65yrs old now , and I’ve loved baseball since 5yrs. old. Im also lifer, homer Phillies fan. When I was 9-10 yrs.old Richie (he was Richie in 1964) Allen came to the team. Each day after the preceding nights game, I’d rush from school to get and deliver
My Evening Bulletin paper route. But first I’d pull a paper and check the Sports section
to see the box score and anything else relating to the Phillies game. For baseball,
Rich Allen filled the section. He was excitement plus in the spring and summer of the
1964 season, giving all “Phillies Phans” great expectations and thrills. Sometimes the
paper ran photos of Allen’s tremendous home runs, with a dotted line and arrow
tracing the otherwise unbelievable ball flights (like the HR I witnessed at ConnieMack
rattle down right-center field light tower!) I still Love Richie Allen
I don’t smell “fish”, but I have also attempted to leave comments in the past…with no success…and finally just gave up!
Thanks Pat, I’ve heard that a few times, so I’m going to look into it with Word Press.
Hi Roland- Haha! No apology needed. Just glad to have you with us. Please stay in touch! Gary
Yo Gary is there any way to remove my negative and false comments at your site ? ROLAND
Sure Roland, I can do that.
I attended a White Sox game at Fenway Park(lifelong Sox fan and Chicago area native) spring of 1974(night game) with Allen and Melton hitting back to back Hrs with Allen’s BLAST looking like it was going into ORBIT! WOW! It was one of my favorite in person baseball moments ever, just AWESOME.
Now that’s what I mean, Gerry!!! I was so down in the dumps while phila. sports writers and phillies ownership ran down and minimised Allen’s baseball [5 tools!] skills. I felt ashamed at the young age of 10-12 yrsold , and I didn’t have fault in the prejudice. He had to leave for his own good. My loss was your gain.
I watched Dick Allen play as a young kid. He was my favorite player. Little did I know that he would be one of my best friends . I worked as a groundskeeper for the Phillies at Veterans Stadium for 33 years. I met Dick in 1971 when he was with the Dodgers. When he returned to play in Philly in 1975 we became real good friends. He introduced me to his family and I stayed at his farm outside of Philadelphia many nights and dinner with his family on numerous occasions . I am still very close to his family. Since 2013 I’ve been the campaign manager for DICK ALLEN BELONGS IN THE HALL OF FAME.
It’s so sad that he was not in the HOF when he passed away. In 2014 he missed by one vote. He needed 12 for election and received 11. Bob Watson was supposed to vote but called in sick and Dave Dombrowski was handpicked by Hall of Fame Board of Governor member Jerry Reinsdorf who knew that Dombrowski had and issue with Allen and wouldn’t vote for him. Politics has kept Dick Allen out of the Hall of Fame for years. Racism plays a part also. His career 156 OPS+ ALONE should get him into the Hall of Fame. He ranks tied for 19th with Willie Mays. All of his Hall of fame peers are nowhere to be found on that list. OPS+ is believed to be the Fairest stat to judge a players HOF case because it factors in , The era played in, ballparks and pitchers . It’s one of the biggest injustices in all of Sports that fact that Dick Allen is NOT in the hall of Fame. There are plenty of other stats out there also. If he’s not in, there shouldn’t be a Hall of Fame. Google Dick Allen and the Hall of Fame, More articles or links will appear saying he is the most worthy player not in the hall of fame.
Thanks Mark. I agree about the OPS+, that’s why I made a big thing about it in the essay above. Thanks for the interesting words about your friendship with Dick Allen. I just sent you an email asking if I can get some more info about your friendship with him. Hope to hear back from you – Gary
I JUST READ YOUR POST
Yo Mark ! This is Roland (see above). Uno how I feel about it ! Contact me I’d be happy to help the cause, for Mr. Allen’s induction….. dogdad@outlook.com
How about a petition [ 4 Dick Allen ] on THIS site…you got one Hornsby ?
New Dick Allen post coming out tomorrow.