Dick Allen story

[Kinseydsp]

Dick Allen was and is my all time favorite Baseball player. I was at Connie Mack the night he hit that famous long home run! I just loved watching him hit.

[DickAllenHOF]

@MFIORE7511 He broke your heart twice? In 1969 he was booed out of town by racist fans and a toxic media. In 1976, he got pissed because the Phillies unceremoniously cut his long time friend Tony Taylor right before the playoffs. Taylor had been with the franchise for many bad years - and was on the cusp of finally getting into the post-season. If anything Dick Allen was a man of principal. A ballplayer's character should not be determined if they did or did not take infield practice.

[MFIORE7511]

@DickAllenHOF So when he did not hustle, which I did witness, do you want to blame the fans for that ? It happened more than once, worship your false idosl,like I said not hall of fame worthy, and a very nice man, sorry, this is no opinion, it's fact, he wanted to play the horses and did so in 69, In 76 keep your mouth shut about taylor and be a team player. Sorry , I like the Man and the ballplayer, but gotta call them like I see them . Thanks for your response, no hard feelings

[MFIORE7511]

Allen , nice guy , but awfully neurotic, broke our hearts twice, in 69 and 76 with the Tony Taylor incident, Great player, but not Hall of Fame worthy,with a little more character he would have been one ! Pete Rose took infield practice during the 76 NLCS, Allen stayed in the tunnel and took a smoke break. Sorry Allen fans

[FormerPhilswriter]

Dick Allen is the most heroic athlete in Philadelphia history. He was light years ahead of his time in so many ways it still boggles the mind. He was the most misunderstood man I ever met and surely one of the finest.

[freein2339]

I saw him hit that grand slam against the Giants in 1965,,,He hit the ball OVER the scoreboard and the Phis won 402...Mays also homered as well as McCovey...Allen also hit a home run in dead center field which was 424 feet.....

[freein2339]

@freein2339 Correction  447 feet....

[DickAllen4HOF]

Can you believe it. The Ballplayer's song is a hit in Brazil

[loyaldude10]

@rw5791 ---------Williams was a bit of a head case, but his numbers are unbelievable. And this in pre-steroids area, when strike zone and parks were much larger. Even took sev yrs off in early 1950s to serve in Korean war as a fighter pilot. Best all around hitter ever. Allen was very talented and incredibly strong, but was his own worst enemy--it certainly limited his success. Bonds is nothing but a total asshole

[sadapopu]

SUPERSTAR DICK CRASH ALLEN WAS JIM BROWN GREAT DR.J GREAT

[sadapopu]

IN 1972 WHEN # 15 WON THE MVP HIS STATS THAT YEAR WAS AS GREAT AS ANY INDIVIDUAL EFFORT IN MLB HISTORY. IN 73 HE BROKE HIS LEG AND LIKE IN 72 WHEN HE WAS THE HOME RUN KING IN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE HE WAS THE HOME RUN KING IN 74 AND HE RETIRED WITH A MONTH LEFT IN THE SEASON AND NOBODY COULD CATCH HIM. HE WAS THE BADDEST MFKR THAT EVER PLAYED THE GAME OF BASEBALL

[sadapopu]

SUPERSTAR THE BIG STICK DICK DONT CALL HIM RICHIE SIR RICHARD ANTHONY TO YOU THE KING CRASH ALLEN THE PRODIGY. YOU GOT PEOPLE COMPARING # 15 TO GUYS LIKE OLIVA VERY GOOD SOLID PLAYER BUT NO IN THE SAME PLANET WITH THE KING CRASH ALLEN THE PRODIGY. REMEMBER THIS FROM 1964 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR THRU 1974 THE GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER AND HIGHEST PAID IN THE WORLD. ALLEN WOULD BE PAID 50 TO 75 MILLION IF PLAYING TODAY. THESE MODERN DAY PLAYERS CANT GET THE BALL OUT 400 FEET LET ALONE 500 PLUS .

[sadapopu]

SUPERSTAR DICK ALLEN WAS AS GREAT AS WILLIE MAYS AND MANTLE TONY OLIVA IS A F N JOKE COMPARED TO # 15 NESTOR R U NUTS. 534 SLUGGING 913 OPS 3RD ALL TIME WALK OFF HOME RUNS. U R COMPARING A LAMBO WITH A HONDA ACCORD. THE GUY RIPPED THE BALL 500 ALL THE TIME AND HE HIT 2 NOT 1 BUT 2 INSIDE THE PARK HOMERS IN 1 GAME CAN ANYBODY IN MLB HISTORY DO THAT . U THINK PUJOLS IS BETTER THAN # 15 ALBERT IS A TURTLE COMPARED TO # 15.

[Nestor123057]

1967 was a mysterious year for a couple of baseball stars. Richie Allen cut his hand pushing a car on a rainy night while Denny McClain broke his foot falling down stairs in his house.  Hmmmmmmm.

[Nestor123057]

Who do you think was the better player, Richie Allen or Tony Oliva?  They were both rookies in 1964.

[parkman35]

One thing here in Chicago that caused alot of distraction for Allen was the many horse racing tracks that are around. I'll bet Chuck Tanner had the phone numbers to all olf them because Allen would often be late showing up to the ball park...

[parkman35]

A $1.75 bought a hat and a pennant back then? Now you're spening at least $40 easily...

[interstategar]

Connie Mack stadium, saw Allen play and caught my 1 and only foul ball hit by Tony Taylor, while stopping by 3rd base opening of the bleachers. Caught after it bounced off the bleacher beams a couple of times. still have the ball. thank you Johnny Callison for an autograph to on my program-rest in peace. Allen was a great player, with tremendous power. Maybe even stronger than Ryan Howard.

[sadapopu]

@interstategar DONT EVER COMPARE HOWARD TO ALLEN HOWARD IS A TURTLE COMPARED TO ALLEN WHEN RYAN RETIRES WILL HE BE 3RD IN WALK OFF HOME RUNS 534 SLUGGING AND 913 OPS UR TALKING ABOUT A LAMBO AND A VOLKSWAGON

[interstategar]

@sadapopu Ryan's got the power equal to Allen I think, but has far as better eye, bat speed, running speed its Allen all the way. According to Mays and McCovey Allen was the best hitter they ever saw. Coming from them, enough said comparing the two. The only thing Howard beats Allen is money unfortunately.

[triofdoom]

Tough Player at a tough time.

[GREYRIDINGHOOD]

GREAT VIDEO

I Was At The Game When Richie Allen Hit That Rising Home Run That Clanked The Bottom Row Of Lights Above The Left Field Roof. I Believe It Was Against The Astros And Hit Off Of Jim Owens. I believe it was 1965 .Do You Have Any Data On That Home Run. It WAS A ROCKET FOR THE AGES

[jongreek]

@rw5791, Dick Allen never had a manager who understood him until he got the the White Sox and Chuck Tanner. Philly was one of the most racist towns in MLB in the 60s. Allen was ahead of his time, was not a bad guy, but a different kind of guy. Baseball in the 60s was tough for freethinkers, and certainly people of color. I really enjoyed this clip about Dick Allen. I met him a few years ago when he was inducted into the baseball Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals. He was a very sweet cat.

[triofdoom]

@jongreek

Good point

[tomitstube]

i remember being overjoyed when he got traded to the white sox. the white sox who had never had a player win a home run title then did it 3 times in 4 years, melton in '71, allen in '72 & '74. i'll never forget going down to the field and seeing allen smoking a cigarette in the dugout, he basically did whatever he wanted. i just wish they could have kept tommy john somehow. allen basically didn't put up with racist bullshit, that's why a lot of black players got so-called reputations.

[sage80915]

Goose Gossage started his career with the Chicago White Sox in 1972, the year Dick Allen won the American League MVP. Gossage played his first few seasons with Allen.

[FRSFreeState]

Great all around baseball player who probably doesn't get enough credit

[dve8692]

Willie Stargell had a great quote about Dick, he said "no wonder the fans in Philly boo Richie all the time, when he hits a homerun he doesnt leave them a souvenier" referencing him hitting balls out of the stadium, Wille Mays himself said that Dick was the hardest hitter hes ever seen.

[drjimiboy69]

@dve8692 Check the clip in this segment of Dick Allen crushing Sandy Koufax, most dominant pitcher of the modern era at his peak. DA seems to wait back on pitches and then whip the the barrel of the bat around with blackjack like torque. I went to camp with Philly kids and they blasted DA. We would have loved him on the Yanks or Mets. He was a major generational talent in a 19th century town. In today's game, factoring in training, travel, pay, nutrition, ball, stadium: 320 BA/45 HR/120 RBI.

[nettiemoon]

I was one Philly fan that loved going to Connie Mack to watch Dick Allen, then known as Richie!

[tricorn1776]

He is the greatest player of my childhood. I still don't remember if I saw him hit it over the Coke sign at Connie Mack Stadium or just heard my uncles and Dad talking about it.

[999YORK]

Can you image Richie Allen today; with today's training methods, the Maple Bat and the juiced baseball playing in Phillie? He would of been awsome.

Question: Johnny Callison in his prime got to be the Phillies starting right fielder right now, how well do you think he would perform?

[lcar4000]

I saw Allen play toward the end of his career in Chicago......probably the best hitter I ever saw.

[sage80915]

My uncle played several years on the same team with Dick Allen. He has said many times that Allen is the greatest player he ever played with (he also played with Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson). Oh, my uncle? ...He's Goose Gossage

[chefpetey]

Thanks for the Coke Sign! As a 12-year-old I remembered it more to left center and saw him hit shots OVER the Coke sign on numerous occasions. One crazy double-header against the Giants he hit either 5 or 6 homers off the likes of Marichal and Perry. What a night! Allen was a free spirit and a thinker. A young man thrust into a city just thick with racial tension with employers who had no intention of fielding a winning team.

[aec887]

@DickAllenHOF, I tried to friend you on here. I'm trying to find some information on Dick Allen. Also, who made this video? Very good footage here.

[57Will]

I've read that not one of Allen's managers ever considered him a clubhouse cancer. On the contrary, they all considered him a leader and a gentleman.

[keagleman21]

Dick Allen was one of the greatest players of his time. He was among the strongest and most feared hitters to ever play the game. Dick could hit for power and a high average, especially for that time. He also had amazing speed for his big frame. Dick has comparable stats to a number of HOF first basemen like Orlando Cepeda, Hank Greenberg and Johnny Mize. Allen is 44th all-time in slugging percentage. He was mvp in '72 nearly winning the triple crown, rookie of the year & a 6 time all-star.

[loyaldude10]

@keagleman21 ---well how about if we say that he was one of the most talented players?---and one who did not realize his potential due to his attitude and immaturity?

[fek2000]

@rw5791 Goose Gossage disagrees with you-see below. Also Chuck Tanner, who managed Allen and managed against him, has an answer for you and Bill James, who also claims Allen was a cancer in the clubhouse and not a team player. Tanner's response--available in an excellent online article about Allen--is that Bill James AND you are FULL OF SHIT. If the players he played with and against could vote, Dick Allen would be in the Hall of Fame. End of story.

[rw5791]

@fek2000 there is a reason why allen and bonds have no world series rings................because their both a-holes.Man,when the giants lost to the angels I was absolutely ecstatic and when they beat the rangers I was pleased because,I mean come on,who wouldn't like a guy like tim lincecum.Know what I'm sayin'?

[loyaldude10]

@fek2000 -by the time Tanner managed him, 1972 w/ White Sox, Allen had matured somewhat. I dont think a lot of the 1960s Phillies thought that highly of his attitude

[cuzthechicksdigit]

My uncle played 22 years in the big leagues. He played with Reggie Jackson, Dave Winfield and Tony Gwynn (all hall of famers). My uncle says Dick Allen is the greatest player he ever played with. A great inspiration not only to my uncle but many other young players including Mike Schmidt. I had the pleasure of meeting Dick Allen and he is as nice a person as he could be. I personally think he is among the very best players eligible but NOT in the hall of fame. My uncle is Goose Gossage.

[fek2000]

@cuzthechicksdigit Thanks for sharing--Goose is a class act for speaking out on Allen's behalf. It is a travesty that Andre Dawson & Jim Rice are now Hall of Famers and Allen is not. Just goes to show the current players who are HOF calibre that they better start kissing the writers' asses early and often if they want consideration. Both Dawson & Rice barely outhomered Allen even with many more AB's & had lower slugging percentages. The Philly sports establishment should try to get him in.

[Humes53]

I met Dick Allen last year and I asked him if any other players ever hit HR's over the rooftop and onto the street as he did at Connie Mack Stadium several times. He told me only three, "Aaron, Jimmie Foxx and Allen." No one ever played that hit a ball

harder than Dick Allen. Not only my opinion but Willie Mays' as well!

[DickAllen4HOF]

Not only is this a great video on Dick Allen but it provides the very best footage of Shibe Park to be found anywhere.

[rpeach1]

To Shanrico: Yes that's Bill Campbells wonderful Phillies voice!

[rpeach1]

Can someone please let me know who the person is who invented this clip so I can thank them for doing it. Their email address is what I want. I grew up in Phila and went to a zillion games at Connie Mack. Richie Allen is the greatest power hitter I ever saw. I'm sure the narrator of the clip is the same guy that put it together. If you read my comment, thanks a million!

[milesofsmiles2]

to paraphrase an old line "Nobody's a headcase if you can hit like that" .

punishing.

[shanrico]

Worth reading his auto-bio "Crash" - also I think that's Bill Campbell on the play-by-play with the error on Maury Wills... Campbell and By Saam and Ashburn before Kalas joined the booth. I'd like to see that Costas interview up here...

[shanrico]

Greatest player alive not in the HOF. Career was a bit shorter than some other greats and marred with injuries and some controversies, but his first 5 years in Phila., and his 2-3 years in Chicago were fantastic. His power was really quite something given his stature. The guy wielded the heavy bat, you can see how low he kept his wrists and not unlike Ruth, Shoeless Joe and some of the old timers, he kept his legs a lot closer together than guys today. I saw him first time live in '66.

[loyaldude10]

@shanrico ---amazing---40 oz bat---guy was unbelievably strong. He truly was an amazing talent, but was his own worst enemy. Maybe some of it can be attributed to youth and immaturity, but he was a giant pain in the ass for Phillies. And he did a lot of the crap on purpose, just to try to get them to trade him

[YOIBEJONI1]

i remember "RICHIE/DICK ALLEN used a 40oz bat, if i'm not mistaken. I think

he was the only player strong enough to swing a bat that heavy! I remember things like that! Todays players are bigger, but not in the right places! Your chest & biceps have nothing to do with BASEBALL!! It's the EYE"S & the WRISTS & FOREARMS! ... "SHOW" muscles are for show only! 

[999YORK]

I agree what Bill Melton (former slugger with White Sox) said if you think Frank Thomas (6'5 275 lbs.) could hit them far you should of seen Richie Allen (5'11, 190). I watched many White Sox and Philies, Allen definitly had more power.

[o5s0x]

reminds me of how Albert Belle is talked about.

[circa1960]

Dick Allen (in his white sox years) and 9:00pm! You had to be a Sox fan to remember this! If your weren't, that was when he came alive!!!

[loughran03]

Great player, bad attitude

[1BBFAN4LYFE]

I was the visiting batboy for the Angels in 1972, and always enjoyed when the White Sox were in town so I could visit with Dick. He was always so friendly and kind to me and the other clubhouse kids. I ran into him at a card show twenty years later, and he remembered me. Loved to watch him hit a baseball.

[yrhodesian]

Awesome power and no steroids.What

else can you say.

[cbrugh]

Say what you want. When Allen came to bat, nobody missed it. He was electric.

[DickAllen4HOF]

If anyone has an interest in Dick Allen, watch this video-

Echo's of November- Ana Volans- brazil

[nowlesjk]

dick allen should  in the hof

[wkg55]

Richie Allen (Dick after leaving the Phils) started wearing a batting helmet in the field after Phillies fans took it upon themselves to throw batteries and coins at him during home games.

[Humes53]

wouldn't have been allowed to play. See the injustice that Allen and others had to go through? And you get picky because he asked for a job for his brother? Big fgiggin deal! Allen had a broken leg or ankle and Sox owner told him to take off September and we will see you in the Spring. Dick Allen was decades ahead of his time. Things he did wouldn't raise an eyebrow in today's game where they coddle to stars. Allen hit a ball harder and further than anyone who EVER played the game. Chill

[DickAllen4HOF]

@Humes53 I have lost your e-mail address. Brazillian popstar Ana Volans has released her redition of Echoes of November. The CD jacket includes pictures of Dick Allen and a near perfect dedication to him. If you, or any other Dick Allen fan, will e-mail me, I can forward the attachments of the CD cover as well as her recording. She has the voice of an angel.. Btw

[Humes53]

on your team for a few years. MVP in '72 to boot. Allen knows he could have been on time for every game but he tried to enjoy life and baseball at the same time.

Wasn't there another pretty good player who did that also? I think his name was Babe Ruth! What Allen did was tame compared to what Ruth did, out of control at all times. But Ruth is revered because he ius a jolly fat white guy who hit a ton of HRs. Can you imagine what Allen would have done in 1925? Oh that's right Allen

[Humes53]

can't stay in a hotel or eat or even show up to play a game without threats just because of hio race. But that is exactly what Dick Allen had to go through. Read the book "Black Like Me" and see what is what was like for the author who was white to dye his skin blcak and live in the South as a black man. Not too cool. If Dick Allen played today he would be given all he wanted just like Jordan and all the stars. Relax and be grateful that you had one of the greatest hitters of all time

[Humes53]

rlegear19, So what if the Sox compensated Allen by giving his bro Hank a job. If not Hank, just another very marginal player. Today stars like A Rod, Kobe, Shaq and all are coddled to and given everything! Back in the '60's the press and management gave stars a hard time. Allen didn't get crap compared to the stars of today. Instead Dick Allen had to go through a ton of crap simply because he was non-white. A disgrace to the United sSates of America that in this country a man

[rlegear19]

This man had the most charismatic bat that the world has ever seen. If he showed up for work on time he would have played until 1980 and been inducted into the HOF in 1985.

[Humes53]

Dick Allen never looked for trouble. Trouble oftentimes came looking for him.

Dick Allen is one of the nicest guys I have ever met. Congenial, cordial and for as great as he is, modest. Black athletes received a lot of crap in the 60's (they still do in 2009), and Dick stood up to it as he should have. Dick was decades ahead of his time and things he did back then are accepted as superstars today are coddled. It is scary to think what Dick would hit in today's watered down league!

[rlegear19]

I can speak for Chicago and say that Dick Allen had this town in the palm of his hand and blew us off. Chicago understands clout and understood when he used his clout as a star player to get his brother a job and a pension but he quit the team in 1974, that did not fly. Racism had nothing to do with it in Chicago. We just don`t like quitters.

[truth2masses]

rich could have been the greatest ever but he let outside things interfere.

[wampum65]

I can not find the full version of the song echos of november you tube

[DickAllen4HOF]

I am preparing a longer letter for you. Thanks for the communication. Type in your YouTube search- Rich Allen and the Ebonistics- Echoes of November.

[wampum65]

I will be talking or seeing him in a few days I will forward that infor to him about her recording echos of nov.

[EeVvAaNn3]

How is he NOT in the HOF?

[oldaardvark]

Great video. I ent to many Phillies games in the mid-60s and while I never saw one of Allen's real monster HRs, two hits stick out in my mind--a line drive that made it to the railing of the LF upper deck in about 2 seconds, and a blast high off the scoreboard that ended up as a triple because it took so long to fall back to the ground--I remember Dick's head-first slide into third. I also saw Wes Covington hitting one off the board to win a game for Jim Bunning.

[ojaiktm]

I grew up in LA, but he was my favorite player. I was so glad when he finally came to the Dodgers. I went to one game where he hit a home run that never seemed to be more than about 20 feet off the ground--a line drive that was out of there in about 2 seconds. Crushed it!

[wampum65]

would like to talk to the individual who created this video you did a super job

been friends with allen since 7th. grade

[DickAllen4HOF]

Is Dick aware that Brazillian Pop Diva Ana Volans is recording Echoes of November as I write this?

[wampum65]

Unbelievable ball player, great individual and a terrific singer still today

your close friends

Blue and Darl

[LimbaughTheMoron]

Another thing: There used to be a lot of talk back in the day about black athletes being "moody". I think the reason why, is that they had to deal with racist crowds, racist teamates, racist reporters,etc.

Well-spoken black athletes were quoted by reporters as saying: "We sho' messed up and didn't nobody do the right thang" type of quotes.

Again, what are your thoughts on this?

[DickAllen4HOF]

Dick Allen's great recording "Echoes of November" is now available in its entirety on You Tube. It is posted as "Rich Allen and the Ebonistics- Echoes of November. Watch and Listen to it!

[wampum65]

I CAN'T SEEM TO LOCATE THIS SITE

[DickAllen4HOF]

If it's Ana Volans you're looking for try Ana Voalans- Love me forever. Here you will find her singing the Four Esquires DooWop song. The thread beneath it discusses Echoes of November. Drop her a note of encouragement. Maybe Dick's music will help him overcome the narrow minded and bigotted sportswriters keeping him from his rightful place in the hall.

[ur1sab]

Thanks for the great video. I have some memories of Richie (I never liked Dick), although I was only 9 when he was traded. My father took us to Bat Day every year at Connie Mack and every year I got a Richie Allen bat. Later, when he returned to the Phillies, I was in heaven.

[LimbaughTheMoron]

Frank Thomas was a known bully, who used to make racially perjorative comments. Even his own white teamates couldn't stand him most of the time.

He attacked Richie Allen with a baseball bat. Allen defended himself, and guess what happened: Allen became the "bad guy".

HOF: Please correct me if I'm wrong!

[DickAllen4HOF]

You are 100% correct. The Phillies made the egregious mistake of releasing Thomas the next day. The Phillies then forbade Allen or his teamates from giving their side of the story. Releasing Thomas freed him, however, to publically give his version of the fight. The Phillies made many mistakes with Allen. Having him break the color barrier in Little Rock, Arkansas wasn't a brilliant idea either. Dick Allen wasn't in the wrong place at the wrong time. Mauch and Quinn were the clueless.

[LimbaughTheMoron]

Thank you. Gene Mauch was considered a genius by many baseball purists, but in my humble opinion HOF, there's a reason why he was "the best manager to never have been in the World Series.

Whenever his teams were in "crunch time", he always overmanaged, and pushed the panic button. That's why he made questionable decisions when "the heat was on"....ie Allen and Thomas.

What are your thoughts on this?

[rowdykat]

One of the greatest pure hitters and all around great ballplayers of all time. My all time favorite...

[DickAllenHOF]

Your failure to understand the english language is secondary to your lack of understanding about what makes (or does not make) a great ballplayer.

Ted Williams was the best pure hitter in baseball history. To call him a "headcase" is absurd. The fact he did not win a championship in Boston has nothing to do with how you should measure him as a player. Same thing with Dick Allen.

I am sure you are the type of person that will argue Derek Jeter is a "great SS" - because he has WS rings... Yawn.

[LimbaughTheMoron]

Ted Williams as you so accurately stated was NOT a "head case". Ted couldn't do anything right in the media's eyes. When he wasn't drafted, they criticized him (WWII), and when he went to Korea (USMC) he caught hell.

The news media made his life a living hell. Gene Mauch was an idiot. since Thomas was gone, he should've allowed Dick to tell hi side of the story because his own teamates said it was "self defense".

[playoffexpert1]

@DickAllenHOF i agree, my dad is a huge Richie Allen fan, i usually shag it off because i dont want to be reminded the my team may have the worst collapse in history even if it is way before my time but people like rw5791 is somone who either is just a bandwagoner or supports whoever the media praises, or he's just an old racist/curmedgeon

[rw5791]

being only 8 at the time I can't comment from experience but just looking at allen's face anyone can see what the problem was.There's a reason guy's like allen and bonds don't have no rings.TEAMWORK!

[DickAllenHOF]

"don't have no rings" - nice grammar.

How can you tell he was not a good teammate by looking at his face ? You can't.

Championship rings are important, but it is in no way a reflection of how good a player is. There are plenty of GREAT players that do not have a championship ring (examples: Ted Williams and Ernie Banks).

[DickAllen4HOF]

@DickAllenHOF Sports is entertainment. Nothing entertained this fan more than those line drives "crahing" off the Dick Allen's 40-ounce bat that would rise and rise. Calling Dick Allen a head case or attitude problem is idiocy, ignorance and an affront to Allen's teammates and managers. BTW, echo's of November- ana Volans- Brazil is an absolutely must see here on You Tube.

[rayjr62]

@rw5791 it seems to me that everybody blamed Allen for the 64' meltdown. And Frank Thomas was a big racist prick who deserved to be released.

[KapnKoolio]

Allen is the only player since the dead ball era to hit 2 inside-the-park homers in one game. This amazing feat was accomplished at Comiskey on July 31, 1972 off Bert Blyleven of the Twins.

[DELIASE1]

Dick Allen was my all time faverate baseball player. I used to practice imatating his batting style for hours at a time. He had awsome power but was also a great team player who was a great baserunner and enjoyed working with young players. I wish he was playing today because I miss watching him play. He belongs in the HOF.

[Humes53]

At least baseball is played for real while the other two sports are getting closer and closer to wrestling. Will talk again soon and loved your video about Dick, a guy who definetly should be in the Hall of Fame. A guy who shouldn't be penalized for being 30 years ahead of his time!

[Humes53]

Conversely, Pat Burrell, playing in 1964, would probably hit around .170 with poor statistics. Smaller parks, livelier balls and bats, the lower mound and watered down pitching all contribute to helping today's modern hitter. In a way, money has ruined sports and you can see it also in basketball and football. Why do you think the Lakers dumped games four and six to the Houston Rockets? Just to stretch out the series for the Almighty Dollar!

[thebigfist]

In Kurt Radomsky`s book,"Bases Loaded" he recounts an event where the trainer Brian Macnamee crawled thru a vent to replace a corked bat of David Justice,while on the Yankees the day before it was busted open by the league inspectors,in the Yankee clubhouse.

[Humes53]

I doubt if anyone ever hit a baseball harder than Dick Allen. I'm reminded of a call that Bill Campbell made once about an Allen homer which illustrated the velocity of the hit. Bill said, "Iv'e seen balls hit that far, but I've never seen one leave that fast, he jumped on it". Dick Allen in today's game, with all the advantages that today's hitters have, would probaly hit around .380, with 150 rbi's and close to or above 60 homers.

[Humes53]

An oldtimer on the groundcrew told me that once before a game, now he could have exaggerated a little, that Dick came into the groundcrew room before a game and drank a bottle of Dego Red, then went out and hit two home runs, one of which went to Kentucky. Maybe he exaggerated about the alcohol, but certainly not about the distance of the homer! I don't think Mays or Aaron hit them over the roof at Connie Mack. Do you know?

[rpeach1]

@Humes53

Yes! You got it right! Greatest power hitter I ever saw and I went to tons of games as a kid in Phila.

[rpeach1]

@Humes53

[Humes53]

I heard the stories of how he took the regular guys on the groundcrew up to his home in Bucks county. He never put himself above the regular folk like some stars do. A great guy. I was a big fan of Elvis and moved to Memphis in 1975 and Elvis was the same as Dick in that they never forgot where they came from.

[Humes53]

Greg, I had the pleasure to meet Dick at the South Philly Turf club a few times. He was gregarious and polite.

I told him that he was my idol growing up.  I said Dick I don't know you got that big bat around on the likes of Gibson, Koufax and Marichal. Dick simply said, "And Maloney". I guess Jim Maloney was a hard thrower as well. I was on the junior groundcrew at the Vet but not when Dick was there unfortunately.

[DickAllen4HOF]

Dick Allen was 6'0" and 205 lbs. He had a physique similar to Mantle and Foxx. Dick Allen ranks among the very few MLB players who could hit a true 500-ft homer.

[DickAllen4HOF]

I have followed baseball for almost 50-years, The only player to come close to Dick Allen in hitting a ball with AUTHORITY was Mickey Mantle. I was a huge Mike Schmidt fan and now a Ryan Howard fan. Dick Allen hit the ball with more authority than both. Dick Allen was truly born too soon. Playing today, the same "issues" probably would've dogged him. Regardless, Dick Allen deserves induction in Baseball's HOF. Furthermore, Echoes of November is a great song!

[mmmhmm11]

You know what? Why isn't he in the hall of fame? His numbers stack up....

[strateshootah]

Funny thing is, is that Richie was only 5'10 and 185lbs at most, but was as powerful as players who were 230 or so. I remember he hit a ball to dead centerfield at Comiskey Park that went at least 475 ft.

[Humes53]

something that even Aaron and Mays didn't do. Allen hit balls for homers that left the cavernous confines of Connie Mack in seconds. Dick Allen is one of the greatest players not to be in Hall of Fame.

Dick Allen is perhaps one of the top five hitters in major league baseball history playing at a time when many great pitchers (Koufax, Marichal, Drydale, Gibson) were around, the mound was lower, the parks were bigger and the balls and bats not as juiced as today.

Phillies were prejudice!

[thebigfist]

You meant to say that the mound was HIGHER giving those great pitchers an even greater advantage over most hitters.Art Rust Jr.always said that there were 3 players that could "crush the rock" when they hit it,1)Frank Howard2)Monte Irvin and 3)Dick "don`t call me Richie" Allen.

[Humes53]

Dick Allen was one of the greatest hitters to ever play. He hit 40 some HRs in 1966 and missed six weeks due to an injury. He may have it 60! Dick Allen was a great guy. I worked on the groundcrew for the Phillies and got to know Allen a little. He would even invite the junior groundcrew up to his farm in Bucks County. Dick was years ahead of his time. He was chastised by management for things that most athletes do today. Dick Allen hit balls over the roof at Connie Mack Stadium,

[drjimiboy69]

@Humes53 What if he played with the SFGs and Jim Ray Hart played for the racist, hapless, poorly managed, crappy stadium, no talent Phillies. Dick Allen with Mays, Cepada, McCovey, Alou bros., Marachal, Perry, et al. Under good circumstances, DA would have been a combo of Jimmie Fox and Billy Williams. He never looked out of breath or in a hurry, except when he had to be. He would have had 500-600 HRs, 1500 rbis, 300 BA. Factoring in injuries, conflicts, etc., he was one of all time talents.

[stevevandien]

Whatever else went on with Dick Allen ---circumstances that perhaps he had no control over, and some that perhaps he did--he could SMASH that &%#@!!baseball like nobody's business. I remember his big seasons with the White Sox in the early 70s. Allen hit straightaway for the most part, keeping his average near or over .300. But this incredibly STRONG man hit LONG damn homers--left, right, center or anything in between. What a hitter! Best wishes and God bless you, Dick:)---

[fek2000]

The song is sung by Allen himself. I have it on an LP of Philly lesser known acts. Also...nice to hear Richie Ashburn call that long home run.

[DR270]

i have his baseball card its black and white(no bluff,i can prove it)

[rogermaris1961]

Who wrote and sang that song?

[mharmanos]

Dick Allen definitely sang it. He might have wrote it, too.

[Homeplateumpire]

He did not play well for the Dodgers.

[dinobam]

Born & raised in South Philly, Richie Allen was my childhood hero. I had the opportunity to finally met him in 2003, what a dream come true. He was very cordial & I still think about those HR'S he hit at Connie Mack Stadium.

[rlegear19]

I would love to see the veterans committee get over themselves and start electing some of these great players who got left out of the Hall of Fame in previous elections. Baseball needs more good will ambassadors to regale us with their anecdotes and love of the game. Honor these great players before they die and can`t give their speeches. Santo, Torre, Kaat, Blyleven and Dick Allen are all worthy and there are more too. Maybe they should mandate that at least 1 living player every year gets in .

[Fit4Life1967]

Of the guys you mention, Santo stands out the most. He was truly great, the best NL Third Basemen of his era. Allen, is borderline but the others were very good but the Hall of Fame is for the very best of their eras in my opinion.

I think Allen had the most talent though.

[Fit4Life1967]

I will say though I am a HUGE Dick Allen fan. He along with Santo and Billy Williams are my favorite players of all time.

I have a fond memory of trading, straight up, a Topps 1975 Hank Aaron for Dick Allen from the same year and not having any regrets.

[moorigs]

Dick Allen was my favorite player on the White Sox.

[russphilly]

I was @ Connie Mack, Saw him Blast one over the right field wall in 69'Richie Allen is my all time favorite Phillie...the greatest..too bad his story about the frank Thomas incident did not come out right away...Hear Bill Conlin tel it years later, he was there ..Frank Thomas was a racist ...I would like to me Richie Allen also!!!The best power hitter in Phils history...Imagine having him in the present day Phils Lineup!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cidedwards31a]

I saw Ritchie Allen in 1971 a few times live and many times that year on tv when he was with the Dodgers here in LA..Ithought it was cool that he wore a batting helmet in the field,for me those helmets without the ears were the coolest of all peices of a baseball players equipment.He only stayed in LA one year,but he could hit he played 1b,3b and of, they had many 1b's in 71 Parker,Garvey,Buckner,Allen etc.Allen had a big year in Chicago in '72 he would routinely kill my Angels.

[itsareligionofpeace]

I saw Dick Allen when he came to the White Sox in the early 70s - he was the first Chicago superstar I ever saw. He owned the town, all around great hitter with power, seemed to have a strong personality like Mohammed Ali and the Chicago fans wanted to embrace him as we had few winners. But he seemed to carry some baggage and didn't like fans, didn't like people, had racial hang ups. Comes from being in tough Philly.

[rlegear19]

It was nice to see Goose Gossage at the Hall of Fame giving credit to Dick Allen for taking him under his wing and teaching him how great hitters think.

[dt1943]

It's true....when Allen was in the on deck circle no one left their seats until he finished his at bat. Power and speed - what more could you ask?

[mausolos8]

Richie is one of my all-time favorite players. Heck, my 1st year in Little League, I requested number 15.

[DrakeGrad]

I saw him hit the Scoreboard in Old Comiskey Park. Harry Carey then the Sox announcer said Here's Richie Allen million dollar talent ten cent mind"

[mecormany]

Harry Carey said a lot of things about a lot of players --primarily black and hispanic players -- that had very little basis in reality. I remember him ripping Jorge Orta for losing a pop up in the sun and then saying 'he's from Mexico, he should be used to the sun by now.' Funny, but in a groaning kind of way. Allen was magnificent with the Sox though. I remember watching some 3rd basemen would just keep taking steps backward with each pitch. Seemed like there were 2 leftfielders sometimes.

[BoDonsky]

Excellent Video!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BoDonsky]

I was @ Connie Mack, Saw him Blast one over the right field wall in 69'Richie Allen is my all time favorite Phillie...the greatest..too bad his story about the frank Thomas incident did not come out right away...Hear Bill Conlin tel it years later, he was there ..Frank Thomas was a racist ...I would like to me Richie Allen also!!!The best power hitter in Phils history...Imagine having him in the present day Phils Lineup!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KapnKoolio]

BTW, the "original" Frank Thomas was a racist prick who responded to Allen's punch by hitting him with a bat. Some manly fighter, huh?

Thomas's lifetime stats: 16 seasons; .266, 286 HR, 962 RBI, 15 SB, 3x All-Star.

Allen: 15 seasons; .292, 351 HR, 1119 RBI, 133 SB, 7x All-Star, Rookie of the Year, 1x MVP.

[KapnKoolio]

As a lifelong follower of the White Sox, I became a huge Dick Allen fan when he came to town in '72 and demolished AL pitching -- winning the MVP award and nearly the Triple Crown in the process. Nobody had ever seen that kind of domination by a Sox hitter until the "second" Frank Thomas came along nearly 20 years later.

[boomac62]

As a young boy ...and a white boy...I loved Dick Allen, now as a 45 year old man I know what crap he went through...he is still a hero to me.

[rlegear19]

A radical mind indeed.This guy felt that he should be paid overtime for batting practice and spring training. He was so gifted that he was allowed to dance to his own music......until his tremendous abilities slipped to just above average. There is no room on a baseball team for primadonnas with only average skills.....see Sammy Sosa.

[freein2339]

He wasn't a primadonna if that were the case the Phillies never would have brought him back in the 70s...

[rlegear19]

By most accounts he was a well liked teammate but he was allowed to come in late and leave early on occasions. This forced tough guy manager Chuck Tanner to say that he had 25 different rules for 25 different players.He also used his MVP clout to get his brother Hank on the Sox roster as a third string catcher which allowed Hank to qualify for a pension.These are traits of a primadonna . (and a damn good brother)

[freein2339]

Major league baseball is still living with the "good ole boy network" so if Allen helped his brother get on a team then his brother had to have some talent. Allen went through unbeliveable racism with the Phillies and the racist Philadelphia media. But once he left they brought him back and he is credited with making Mike Schmidt a much better hitter. Funny thing about Allen , all the umpires liked him because he didn't argue and whine...like a prima donna

[rlegear19]

Make no mistake about this, Hank Allen had nothing to offer the Sox other than warming up pitchers. He had been out of baseball for a year and a half when Dick got him hired .He hit a cool .143 in 1972 and was brought back in 1973 and hit .103. As soon as he got his full 4 years in the Majors he was released. We used to go down to the bullpen and razz him by asking how many more days do you need.

[rlegear19]

I was 15 when the White Sox got him. He is the best hitter that i ever saw in a Sox uniform. He was also a great baserunner and would have been an excellent defender at first if he could throw.If he hadn`t been a primadonna , he would be in the HOF by now.But when he showed up to play , he played hard.

[allen85255]

There is and will only be one Richie Allen. I was 11 the year he won the ROY award. He could do no wrong in my eyes and even today, no player has ever provided me the thrills Richie Allen did. I remember him hitting the first big blast in the Astrodome when it opened for play. I would consider is the thrill of a lifetime to meet the man.

[sniflapdog]

I loved Richie Allen. I am a white 53 year old and my heart was broken in 1964. I still love #15

Luke Dunn

[57Will]

Nice touch adding "Echoes Of November", the song he recorded with a group called The Ebonistics in the late '60's on the Groovy Groove label. A great player he was!

[raflaj]

most exciting hitter since the 60's,icluding Mays,Arron or Clemente.Nice video on Richie, I mean Dick.

[sadapopu]

@raflaj u r so so right top 5 dead or alive hof or not greatest everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr­rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[freein2339]

I saw him hit a basball "over" the scorebroad at old Connie Mack staduim...Awesome power

[ttronc21]

bull.sick of that.most white people i know and grew up with loved him still do.keep race out of it.Frank Thomas was the one that got thrown out of town after the fight w/Allen. he was white.....

[eyechord]

cause way too many people in philly thought '64 was '47 and he was jackie robinson...

[ttronc21]

this was the 60's...and i 'm white and loved this guy as a ballplayer...we all emulated in him at bat and used a thick barreled thin handled bat like him in little league and babe ruth league..except we took our stances from Wes Covington w/ the bat draped low and loose over our shoulder.why bring race into it?

[ChattyPancake]

The bad-ass poster boy for the '70s black ballplayers (or ALL ballplayers).

Nice post. Thanks.