Dick Allen (born Richard Henry Allen Jr.; May 8, 1939 – January 16, 2020) was an American professional baseball player who played primarily as a first baseman and left fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1963 to 1977. Over a 14‑season career, he was selected to five All‑Star Games, won two Gold Glove Awards, and was named the National League Most Valuable Player in 1972. Allen was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022 by the Golden Era Committee.
Early life and education
Richard Henry Allen Jr. was born in Wampum, Pennsylvania. He attended Wampum High School, where he excelled in baseball, and later earned a baseball scholarship to the University of Illinois. He left college after two years to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1958.
Professional career
- Philadelphia Phillies (1963–1965) – Allen made his MLB debut on July 2, 1963. He quickly established himself as a power hitter, hitting 37 home runs and driving in 108 runs in his rookie season, earning the National League Rookie of the Year award (shared with Pete Rose).
- St. Louis Cardinals (1966) – Traded to the Cardinals, Allen posted a .312 batting average with 31 home runs and 109 RBIs.
- Los Angeles Dodgers (1967) – A brief stint during which he hit .246 with four home runs.
- Chicago White Sox (1967–1971) – Allen’s most productive period; he hit 104 home runs and recorded 427 RBIs over five seasons, including a 1970 season with a .277 average, 32 home runs, and 86 RBIs.
- Oakland Athletics (1972–1973) – In 1972, Allen posted a .282 average, 37 home runs, and 104 RBIs, earning the American League MVP award (shared with teammate Vida Blue). He helped the Athletics win the 1972 World Series, though he did not play in the series due to a broken finger.
- Return to Philadelphia (1974) – Allen returned to the Phillies for a single season, hitting .276 with 21 home runs.
- Milwaukee Brewers (1975) – He recorded a .260 average with 19 home runs.
- Toronto Blue Jays (1977) – Finished his MLB career with a brief appearance for the expansion club.
Across his career, Allen compiled a .292 batting average, 351 home runs, and 1,048 runs batted in (RBIs) over 1,787 games. He was known for his powerful hitting, strong defensive abilities at first base, and for confronting racial discrimination and media criticism during the Civil Rights era.
Post‑playing career and legacy
After retiring, Allen worked as a baseball coach and scout, and he occasionally appeared as a television commentator. He was also active in community outreach programs, particularly in promoting youth sports in Pennsylvania. Allen’s contributions to the game have been re‑evaluated in recent decades, leading to his Hall of Fame induction in 2022.
Personal life
Allen married twice and had several children. He resided in the Philadelphia metropolitan area for much of his post‑playing life. He died on January 16, 2020, at the age of 80, after a brief illness.