PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Jim Kenney, Governor Tom Wolf and a host of other Phillies fans today called for the nomination and induction of former Phillie Dick Allen into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
“Growing up in the city in the 1960s, I saw firsthand the greatness of Dick Allen,” said Mayor Kenney. “And I know of the tremendous challenges he faced because of racism. Dick Allen turned away from that, focusing his energies on the field, and his credentials from his remarkable career are beyond question. I call on members of the Hall of Fame’s “Golden Days” committee — who will choose a new Hall of Fame class next year — to stop turning their backs on Dick Allen, and nominate him for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.”
“Dick Allen was a remarkable player at an especially challenging time,” said Governor Wolf. “Pitchers feared him, and anyone – like me – who watched him hit understood why. He was also a hero in the manner he handled the racism he faced. He had to battle not only opposing pitchers, but sometimes his teams’ fans and even his teammates. It’s time for all of us who witnessed Dick Allen’s greatness to make his case for the Hall of Fame.
Also taking part in the event at City Hall was former Phillie Larry Christenson, baseball historian Bill Jenkinson, and the son of Dick Allen, Richard Allen, Jr. “Dick Allen was a very supportive teammate, and always knew how to boost a younger player’s confidence,” said Christenson, who was teammates with Allen in 1975 and 1976, Allen’s second stint on the Phillies. “I will always remember Dick saying, ‘Now let’s go play a big league baseball game — go get ‘em kid,’ when running onto the field. Dick was the ‘Wampum Walloper’ who could mash a baseball like few who ever played the game – and he truly belongs in the Hall of Fame.”
Mark Carfagno, a Philadelphia native who has spearheaded the “Dick Allen Hall of Fame” campaign, was among the speakers. “To mix sports metaphors, most baseball historians proclaim Dick Allen a Slam Dunk Hall of Famer — particularly with today’s new metrics,” said Carfagno. “In addition, the horrible racial issues he experienced are well documented, and make his on-the-field accomplishments even more impressive — and deserving of Hall of Fame honors.”
Representatives of Philadelphia’s Public Leagues and Catholic Leagues attended, and donned Phillies shirts and caps courtesy the Phillie Phanatic. Campaign spokesman Joe Ferry served as emcee.
Joining them was City Councilmember Mark Squilla (1st District). In 2014, Councilmember Squilla and then-Councilmember Kenney co-sponsored a resolution calling for Dick Allen’s Hall of Fame induction. Later that year, what was then called the “Golden Era” committee met, but Dick Allen’s candidacy fell one vote short. What is now called the “Golden Days” committee will choose a new Hall of Fame class in December of 2020, for induction in 2021.
“Many believe next year’s vote could be the last chance for Dick Allen to finally be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and now is time to rally in support of the cause,” said Councilmember Squilla. “I applaud local Philadelphians like Mark Carfagno and Joe Ferry who have devoted years to this effort, to righting this wrong. And I hope next year will bring Dick Allen and his family the honor he has long deserved.”
Bill White, former Phillie and former National League President, sent this message in support of the event: “In my career with the Giants, Cardinals, and Phillies, I had the opportunity and pleasure to play with Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal, and many other excellent players. Dick Allen, in my opinion, ranks with these great players. I never saw a player hustle as much as Dick Allen.
“When I was traded to the Phillies in 1965, I roomed with him and was surprised by his knowledge of the opposing teams, especially the pitchers. He made me a better offensive player. As a former player, broadcaster, NL League President and a former board member of the Hall of Fame, I think Dick Allen belongs in Baseball’s Hall of Fame.”
Dick Allen was the 1964 National League Rookie of the Year with the Phillies, and he averaged 30 home runs, 90 RBIs and 150 hits per season from 1965-1969. He was a seven time All-Star and American League Most Valuable Player as a member of the 1972 Chicago White Sox. He slugged 351 home runs and is one of just 26 players in baseball history to win both a Rookie of the Year and an MVP award.
Using modern analytics, the case for Dick Allen’s Hall of Fame credentials is clear. During Allen’s prime from 1964-1973 his OPS+ was greater than Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Willie Stargell and Frank Robinson. Over the course of his career, Allen’s OPS+ was higher than Mays, Aaron and Joe DiMaggio. Also, Allen’s WAR was 58.7, within the top 200 players of all-time and ahead of hall-of-famers Stargell, Enos Slaughter and Hank Greenberg.