RIP Dick Allen

[TakeYouToTasker 2.0]

2020 claimed another baseball great today with the passing of former Philadelphia corner infielder and outfielder, Dick Allen.

 

Allen, a 7 time all-star, Rookie of the Year, and MVP died at the age of 78.

 

[Uncle Joe]

1 hour ago, TakeYouToTasker 2.0 said:

2020 claimed another baseball great today with the passing of former Philadelphia corner infielder and outfielder, Dick Allen.

 

Allen, a 7 time all-star, Rookie of the Year, and MVP died at the age of 78.

 

I still have some of his early baseball cards with the Phillies.
"Richie Allen"
RIP

[B-Man]

 

 

MLB mourns loss of slugger Dick Allen

A 7-time All-Star, former MVP and trailblazer, Dick Allen passed away at age 78 on Monday. Allen, who primarily starred for the Phillies & White Sox, hit 351 home runs.

 

 

[TakeYouToTasker 2.0]

Allen should be In Cooperstown. Hopefully the Veterans Committee enshrines him posthumously in the next few years. 

[Alaska Darin]

10 hours ago, TakeYouToTasker 2.0 said:

Allen should be In Cooperstown. Hopefully the Veterans Committee enshrines him posthumously in the next few years. 

It's a travesty that he wasn't enshrined while he was alive.  He's clearly deserving.

[TakeYouToTasker 2.0]

3 hours ago, Alaska Darin said:

It's a travesty that he wasn't enshrined while he was alive.  He's clearly deserving.

Agreed.

[B-Man]

REMEMBERING DICK ALLEN

by Paul Mirengoff

 

Dick Allen, the outstanding slugger, died on Monday. His obituary in the Philadelphia Inquirer is here.

 

Fortunately, the Philadelphia Phillies finally got around to honoring their former superstar during a game this September, just in time. After that event, I wrote this appreciation of Allen:

 

Allen, who yesterday became the first Phillie not in the Hall of Fame to have his number retired by the team, was an immense talent and a major star. From 1964 through 1967, he was as good a hitter as anyone in baseball. Indeed, I’d say that only Hank Aaron was as good during that stretch.

 

Allen was no slouch in 1969-69, either. In ’68, the year of the pitcher, he hit 33 home runs and drove in 90 runs. In ’69, playing only three-quarters of the season, he produced nearly identical totals.

 

But Allen was unpopular with a portion of the fan base. The problem began when, in 1965, he fought with teammate Frank Thomas after the popular veteran taunted him, asking “who are you trying to be, another Muhammad Clay?”

 

The Phillies released Thomas, and the fans turned on Allen. From that point on, some fans booed Allen incessantly. He began wearing a batting helmet at all time for protection from projectiles being thrown at him.

 

Allen also had occasional disciplinary problems. In July 1967, he arrived late for a night game and in no condition to play. Manager Gene Mauch had to bench him.

 

In 1968, after Allen again arrived late for a game, Mauch gave the Phillies an ultimatum — either he goes or I go. The Phillies fired Mauch. In 1969, the new manager, Bob Skinner, had to deal with Allen’s tardiness, including a missed airline flight.

 

Allen claimed the booing didn’t bother him, but he also expressed a desire to move on from Philadelphia. In 1967, he stated:

I’d like to get out of Philadelphia. I don’t care for the people or their attitude, although they don’t bother me or my play. But maybe the Phillies can get a couple of broken bats and shower shoes for me.

 

More at the link

 

 

[Alaska Darin]

On 12/10/2020 at 10:59 AM, B-Man said:

I’d like to get out of Philadelphia. I don’t care for the people or their attitude, although they don’t bother me or my play.

Philly fans are basically "Massholes Western Chapter."  The city has some amazing history and great restaurants (just like Boston) but dealing with an average person in either place is an exercise in patience that I never look forward to.