Dick (Richie) Allen dies

[Stalker]

By The Associated Press

Dick Allen, a fearsome hitter who was a seven-time All-Star, the 1964 NL Rookie of the Year and the 1972 AL MVP, has died. He was 78.
The Philadelphia Phillies, the team Allen started out with, announced his death on Monday.
Allen’s No. 15 was retired by the Phillies in September, an honor that was considered long overdue by many for one of the franchise’s greatest players who fought against racism during a tumultuous period with the team in the 1960s.
“The Phillies are heartbroken over the passing today of our dear friend and co-worker, Dick Allen,” the team said.

“Dick will be remembered as not just one of the greatest and most popular players in our franchise’s history, but also as a courageous warrior who had to overcome far too many obstacles to reach the level he did. Dick’s iconic status will resonate for generations of baseball fans to come as one of the all-time greats to play America’s pastime,” the Phillies said.
Phillies managing partner John Middleton broke from the team’s longstanding “unwritten” policy of only retiring the number of players who are in the Hall of Fame to honor Allen.
“I thank the city of Philadelphia. Even though it was rough, I’ve made some friends along the way,” Allen said in an emotional ceremony on a warm, sunny afternoon.

Mike Schmidt, a Hall of Fame third baseman who helped lure Allen out of retirement to return to Philadelphia for a second stint with the team in 1975, was among the former players who attended the ceremony. They wore masks and sat several feet apart during the coronavirus pandemic that shortened the major league season to 60 games. The Phillies planned to honor Allen again in 2021 with fans in attendance.

 

[paul from philly]

My first athlete crush!! Loved him!!! Anyone who can, for a 10 year period, be considered the best at what he does should be an automatic entry into the HOF and from '64 to '74 that's what Allen was as a hitter!! His OPS stands right next to Aaron and Mays!!

 

[Stalker]

My first athlete crush!! Loved him!!! Anyone who can, for a 10 year period, be considered the best at what he does should be an automatic entry into the HOF and from '64 to '74 that's what Allen was as a hitter!! His OPS stands right next to Aaron and Mays!!

We got the Philly Inquirer in Gettysburg because mother (from Georgia) liked it, didn't like Patriot of Harrisburg? So that involved us in all things Philly including Phils and Big 5 Basketball. Already connected there with GBurg College in the MAC (Middle Atlantic Conf) playing great teams like Temple, LaSalle, St. Joe's, etc. Wow, what a hoops experience as a little dude watching those guys in junior and high school. Had our own Palestra right there in Gettysburg. About Allen, I tried to imitate his swing which I got down pretty good but for some reason didn't have the hand-eye coordination he had. He was a hero of sorts for me too, and Johnny Callison with that bazooka of an arm from deep right field, awesome. Amen Paul, auto HOF and rest in peace Mr. Allen.

 

[tulla]

We got the Philly Inquirer in Gettysburg because mother (from Georgia) liked it, didn't like Patriot of Harrisburg? So that involved us in all things Philly including Phils and Big 5 Basketball. Already connected there with GBurg College in the MAC (Middle Atlantic Conf) playing great teams like Temple, LaSalle, St. Joe's, etc. Wow, what a hoops experience as a little dude watching those guys in junior and high school. Had our own Palestra right there in Gettysburg. About Allen, I tried to imitate his swing which I got down pretty good but for some reason didn't have the hand-eye coordination he had. He was a hero of sorts for me too, and Johnny Callison with that bazooka of an arm from deep right field, awesome. Amen Paul, auto HOF and rest in peace Mr. Allen.

Interesting to think what a difference it might have made if the Phillies had won it all in '64. The seven or eight years that followed were tough ones for Philly--not just in sports.

Amazing to think how good that Cardinals team was that year--White, Boyer, McCarver, Brock, Gibson, Flood, Shannon, Groat, Javier, etc.--and yet the Phillies should have won the NL by at least five games. Was it all Mauch's fault? I'd say it was at least 75% his fault.

Allen put up with an awful lot. Has the full story of what happened with Frank Thomas come out?

 

[71SKINS]

Sorry to hear about Allen’s passing. As a 10 year old that summer of 1964, I gave him the ultimate honor of changing my uniform numbers from #7 ( Mantle ) to Allen’s #15.My dad took me to a Sunday doubleheader against the Mets on Flag Day, June 14, 1964. In the 1st. game, Allen hit one into the light tower that was next to the scoreboard. The ball was still on
a upward trajectory when it hit the tower that was approximately 410 ft from home. It was easily a 500 - 550ft bomb.


The following Sunday, Fathers Day, June21, k1964 at Shea, turned out to be a very special day in Phillies history.

 

[paul from philly]

Interesting to think what a difference it might have made if the Phillies had won it all in '64. The seven or eight years that followed were tough ones for Philly--not just in sports.

Amazing to think how good that Cardinals team was that year--White, Boyer, McCarver, Brock, Gibson, Flood, Shannon, Groat, Javier, etc.--and yet the Phillies should have won the NL by at least five games. Was it all Mauch's fault? I'd say it was at least 75% his fault.

Allen put up with an awful lot. Has the full story of what happened with Frank Thomas come out?

The Phightins' had a lot of egg on their face for that incident. The team did little to back their young star, if anything. I'm pretty sure the true story is gone forever.