Richard Anthony Allen, nicknamed "Crash" and "the Wampum Walloper," was a prominent American baseball player. Primarily a first and third baseman, his 15-year MLB career saw him excel as a powerful slugger in the 1960s and early 1970s. He is most remembered for his time with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White Sox. His impressive hitting ability made him one of the most feared batters of his era. Allen’s legacy within the sport remains strong, and his contributions to the game continue to be acknowledged.
March 8, 1942: Birth of Dick Allen
Dick Allen, nicknamed "Crash" and "the Wampum Walloper", was born on March 8, 1942.
1958: High School Basketball Championship and All-American Honors
During the 1958-1960 season, but in 1958 specifically, Dick Allen captained his high school basketball team to a state championship and earned All-American honors.
1960: Dick Allen Signs with Phillies
Dick Allen was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1960 for a $70,000 bonus.
1964: Rookie of the Year
Dick Allen was selected as the National League Rookie of the Year in 1964.
1964: Exceptional Rookie Season and Phillies' Collapse
In 1964, Dick Allen had a remarkable rookie season, leading the league in several offensive categories. However, the Phillies, despite leading the National League by six and a half games with 12 games left, lost ten straight games and finished tied for second place.
May 29, 1965: Memorable Home Run
On May 29, 1965, Dick Allen hit a massive two-run home run off the Cubs' Larry Jackson, estimated at 529 feet, that cleared the Coke sign on Connie Mack Stadium's left-center field roof.
July 1965: Fight with Frank Thomas
In July 1965, Dick Allen was involved in a fight with teammate Frank Thomas, which resulted in Thomas being released by the Phillies.
1965: All-Star Selection
Dick Allen was selected for the All-Star team in 1965.
1966: League Leader in Offensive Categories
In 1966, Dick Allen led the league in slugging percentage, OPS, and extra-base hits.
1967: Hand Injury
In 1967, Dick Allen nearly ended his career after injuring his throwing hand by pushing it through a car headlight.
1968: Release of "Echo's of November"
Dick Allen released the single "Echo's of November" in 1968.
1969: Ted Sizemore Wins Rookie of the Year
Ted Sizemore, the player traded for Dick Allen in 1971, was the 1969 National League Rookie of the Year.
1969: Suspension
Dick Allen was fined and suspended in 1969 for failing to appear for a doubleheader game against the New York Mets.
1970: Trade to Cardinals and Flood Controversy
Before the 1970 season, Dick Allen was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. This trade caused controversy as Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood refused to report to the Phillies as part of the deal.
December 2, 1971: Trade to White Sox and MVP Season
On December 2, 1971, Dick Allen was traded to the Chicago White Sox. In his first year with the White Sox and the American League, Allen led the league in several offensive categories and won the MVP award.
1971: Trade to Dodgers and Quiet Season
Dick Allen was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 1971 season. He had a relatively quiet season, despite hitting .295.
1971: Willie Montañez Breaks Allen's Record
In 1971, Willie Montañez, the player acquired as compensation for Curt Flood, broke Dick Allen's Phillies rookie home run record.
July 31, 1972: Two Inside-the-Park Home Runs
On July 31, 1972, Dick Allen became the first player in baseball's "modern era" to hit two inside-the-park home runs in a single game, both off Bert Blyleven against the Minnesota Twins.
1972: American League MVP
Dick Allen won the American League Most Valuable Player award in 1972 while playing for the Chicago White Sox.
1972: Ron Allen Plays for Cardinals
In 1972, Dick Allen's brother, Ron, briefly played first base for the St. Louis Cardinals.
1972: Goose Gossage's Praise
In 1972, Dick Allen's teammate, Goose Gossage, lauded him as the greatest player he had ever seen.
February 27, 1973: Highest-Paid Player
On February 27, 1973, Dick Allen signed a 3-year, $750,000 contract, making him the highest-paid player in baseball at the time.
1973: Fractured Fibula
In 1973, a fractured fibula sustained in a collision with Mike Epstein significantly hampered Dick Allen's playing abilities.
1974: Controversial Departure from White Sox
In 1974, Dick Allen's time with the Chicago White Sox ended in controversy when he left the team with two weeks remaining in the season due to a feud with teammate Ron Santo.
August 22, 1975: Upper Deck Homer at San Diego Stadium
On August 22, 1975, Dick Allen hit a home run into the upper deck at San Diego Stadium during a game against the Padres.
1976: Mentorship of Mike Schmidt
In 1976, Dick Allen mentored Mike Schmidt, offering advice that led to Schmidt hitting four home runs in a game.
1976: Improved Performance with Phillies
In 1976, Dick Allen's performance improved as he contributed to the Phillies' division win.
1977: Final Season with Oakland Athletics
Dick Allen played his final season in 1977 with the Oakland Athletics before abruptly leaving the team in June.
1983: First Hall of Fame Ballot
Dick Allen first appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot in 1983.
1984: Absent from Hall of Fame Ballot
Dick Allen was not on the 1984 Hall of Fame ballot.
1985: Return to Hall of Fame Ballot
Dick Allen returned to the Hall of Fame ballot in 1985.
1991: Daughter's Murder
Dick Allen's daughter, Terri, was murdered by her boyfriend in a murder-suicide in 1991.
1997: Last Appearance on BBWAA Hall of Fame Ballot
Dick Allen's last appearance on the BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot was in 1997.
2004: Shrine of the Eternals Induction
Dick Allen was inducted into the Baseball Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals in 2004.
2006: Mike Schmidt's Acknowledgement of Mentorship
In his 2006 book, Mike Schmidt acknowledged Dick Allen as his mentor and refuted claims of Allen dividing clubhouses along racial lines.
2006: Highest Slugging Percentage among Eligible but Not Inducted Players
Until 2006, Dick Allen held the highest slugging percentage among players eligible for but not yet inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
December 15, 2009: Reconciliation with Frank Thomas
On December 15, 2009, during an interview, Dick Allen revealed that he and Frank Thomas, with whom he had a fight in 1965, had become good friends.
2010: Ana Volans Re-records "Echoes of November"
In 2010, Brazilian pop star Ana Volans re-recorded "Echoes of November", dedicating it to Dick Allen and his Hall of Fame candidacy.
2010: Golden Era Committee Established
The Golden Era Committee was established in 2010 to consider overlooked candidates from 1947-1972.
December 2011: Golden Era Committee Established
The Baseball Hall of Fame established the Golden Era Committee in December 2011.
December 2014: First Consideration by Golden Era Committee
Dick Allen was first considered by the Golden Era Committee for Hall of Fame induction in December 2014.
2015: One Vote Short of Hall of Fame Induction
Dick Allen fell one vote short of Hall of Fame induction by the Golden Era Committee for the class of 2015.
2016: Golden Days Committee Established
The Golden Days Committee was established in 2016.
August 2020: Golden Days Committee First Meeting Rescheduled
In August 2020, the Hall of Fame rescheduled the Golden Days Committee's first meeting to December 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 3, 2020: Phillies Retire Allen's Number
On September 3, 2020, the Philadelphia Phillies retired Dick Allen's uniform number 15.
September 2020: Number Retirement
In September 2020, the Phillies retired Dick Allen's number 15.
December 7, 2020: Death of Dick Allen
Dick Allen passed away on December 7, 2020.
December 2020: Golden Days Committee First Meeting Rescheduled
The Golden Days Committee's first meeting was rescheduled to December 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
December 5, 2021: Golden Days Committee Vote Results
On December 5, 2021, the Golden Days Committee vote results showed Dick Allen again falling one vote short of Hall of Fame induction.
2022: Consideration for Hall of Fame Class of 2022
Dick Allen was considered for the Hall of Fame class of 2022 by the Golden Days Committee.
December 8, 2024: Election to Hall of Fame
On December 8, 2024, Dick Allen was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Classic Baseball Era Committee.
July 27, 2025: Hall of Fame Induction
Dick Allen will be formally inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27, 2025.
2025: Hall of Fame Induction
Dick Allen is scheduled to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025.