12/9/24 : Dick Allen - Hall of Famer

Last night at 7:30 PM I paced nervously in front of my TV as the announcement of which players had been elected by the veterans committee as new inductees into the MLB Hall of Fame pended.  As a kid I didn’t start watching baseball like the Phanatic I became (and still am) till 1969 - that was Dick Allen’s last season in his first tour of duty with the Phillies but he immediately became my favorite - the 42 ounce bat he swung majestically, the seeming ease of how he launched the baseball into the sky and the incredible distance with which he hit them made me marvel just like many others who also became enthralled with him as their favorite player.

So last night when the Hall of Fame gentleman started rattling off our hero’s stats prior to stating his name I began to clap and pump my fists in excitement!  When his name was then later officially called as a member of the 2025 Hall of Fame class my emotions exploded with ultimate joy as I cried like a baby in exuberance for Mr. Allen and his family!  It was one of the greatest moments of the year for me and I truly believe for many others who watched him perform as a player.

When Mr. Allen was traded to the Cardinals in 1970 I continued to follow him, it’s not like today where with the purchase of an App you can watch every MLB game so newspaper boxscores were the event of each morning to see how he did.  Similar mornings and reviews followed as he moved from the Cardinals to the Dodgers and White Sox over the next few years. In 1972 when he won the AL MVP award with the White Sox my pride shined bright for him. Yet nothing compared to the next milestone when the hero returned home and re-joined the Phillies for two more seasons in 1975 and 1976 - by that time I was in high school and my friends and I were able to go to the Vet to watch him play and even though he was older and the skills had eroded each and every time he came to the plate I was on the edge of my seat in hopes of seeing one of those miraculous launches into the sky.

After I retired and moved to Florida I was so very fortunate to meet him one day at the complex. My wife and I were walking out as his son drove him into the complex past the front gate. They parked and I was so ecstatic and nervous that I doubted myself in approaching him. There was no one else there at the moment except the four of us. My wife encouraged me to walk up to him and introduce myself so I did. I anxiously extended my hand in offering a handshake and blurted out to him that he was my favorite player ever to watch, that I wanted nothing other than to meet him and tell him so. Mr. Allen was so gracious, his hands were enormous - he clutched my hand and we had an extended shake - he told me that he truly was happy to meet me and that we were both enjoying a pleasant and great experience by meeting, he said he appreciated that I wanted nothing else from him, no autograph or photo - just to meet him and shake his hand.  It was surreal for me, a moment I will never forget and always cherish.  A few years later I randomly met his son once more at the complex - we chatted about that experience and he said he remembered - not sure he did but the class of at the least saying he did always stood out.  Class and dignity had passed from father to son and still shines thru.

In the year 2020 I was honored to write a book with the legendary Larry Shenk entitled “Life in the Minors”.  Mr. Shenk was able to interview Dick along with his brother Hank about their time in the minors.  Here is the excerpt that was included in the book.

“Within an hour after graduating from Wampum (PA) High School in 1960, Phillies scout John Ogden signed 18-year-old Dick Allen to a pro contract that included a $70,000 signing bonus. In April of that year, Ogden signed Dick’s older brother Hank. In 1964, Ron Allen, the youngest brother, was signed by the Phillies.

Hank Allen reported to the Elmira Pioneers (Class D New York-Penn League).Dick joined the club in Geneva.

Playing in 88 games for the Pioneers, Dick had 19 doubles, 10 triples, 8 homers, 42 RBI and .281 average. Led club with .868 OPS.

Dick’s Memories

“Jack Phillips was our manager, his first year. I wore number 5; played shortstop. Hank was the first baseman.  Coy, my oldest brother, rented a house at 157 Light Street. Hank, me and Bobby Sanders (infielder) lived there. Coy also bought a car for us to get around. Mom (Era) would come to see us when we played in Erie which was the nearest town to Wampum. What I remember most was getting hit in my left eye by a pitch and missing several weeks.”

Hank’s Memories

“What he didn’t mention is he hit a home run in his first at-bat in pro ball that night in Geneva. I remember him getting hit by the pitch. I was on deck.  It was loud like it hit his bat but Dick was lying on the ground face down. He didn’t move. Jack and I rushed to home plate and I lost it when I saw the blood. I still had my bat and I charged the mound.  The pitcher, I don’t remember his name, started running. I tossed the bat, chased him but I never got him.

“It was the second game of a doubleheader against Wellsville at home. We crushed them in the first game and were doing the same thing in the second game. Sanders hadn’t had a hit and told Dick, ‘I’m bunting for a hit.’ Dick said, ‘If you do, so will I.” Sanders beat out a bunt and Dick fouled off the first pitch while trying to lay one down. The next one hit him.  Sanders and Dick were playing pro ball for the first time.  None of us were aware of the unwritten baseball rule that you don’t bunt with a big lead.

“Dick was hospitalized in Elmira for two-three days before the Phillies flew him to Philadelphia to see their doctors.  He was gone for a couple of weeks with a concussion before returning to Elmira.  Coy and I met him at the airport.  Coy said we’re going to the ballpark for some batting practice. Coy was the pitcher, Dick the hitter and I shagged. Coy’s first pitch was at Dick’s head. I remember him saying, ‘If you are going to be afraid of getting hit, if you’re not going to be tough, Mom’s got dinner for you back home. You and I will leave tonight.’ Coy’s next pitch was up and in again. From then on, Dick showed no fear.  Back then, the tough survived. The first at-bat that night he crushed a line drive to left that was caught on an unbelievable play by the left fielder. Next at-bat, line drive double to left.” 

Teammates

Dick, Hank and RHP Paul Brown were the only players from that team to reach the majors.

Big League Careers

Dick made his major league debut on 9/3/1963 after four years in the minors (88 doubles, 40 triples, 82 home runs, 342 RBI, .305); All-Star in each of last three seasons. Moved to a new position (3B) in 1964, became NL Rookie of the Year.Set four Phillies rookie records that still exist, runs (125), hits (201), total bases (352), slugging percentage (.557). Played for Phillies (1963-69, 1975-76), Cardinals, Dodgers, White Sox (1972 AL MVP), A’s. 15 total seasons, 7 All-Star teams, 351 home runs, .292 average. Phillies retired his #15 in 2020.

Hank played 11 years in the minors and seven in the majors (Senators, Brewers, White Sox). On same team with Dick in Elmira and the White Sox. Major league scout for 19 years after playing days were over.

Ron played nine seasons in the minors and 14 games in the majors with the 1972 Cardinals. 

Basketball

All three played basketball at Wampum High School.  Hank and Dick were on the1958 and 1960 state champions. As a freshman, Ron played in one game with his two older brothers.  He went to Youngstown State University on a basketball scholarship before pro ball.”

Dick Allen will always be my favorite player and I am overjoyed that he’s now to be enshrined as a MLB Hall of Famer.  It’s a recognition long deserved. I truly hope that the baseball gods blessed him once more by letting him watch the announcement from above. That nervous pace of mine at 7:30 PM last evening that I most assuredly shared with multiple others is now a swelling of pride and joy for one of the greatest Phillies ever - one of the greatest baseball players ever - a true hall of famer.  I got to shake his hand and share a moment - indeed I was blessed as well for that.  So very, very happy for his family - it’s gonna be a great day this summer at the induction ceremony - really good stuff!  It would be an honor to be there as well.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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