Former Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Dick Allen passed away Monday afternoon at the age of 78. A seven-time All-Star, he began an illustrious career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1963.
It didn’t take long for Allen to establish himself as one of the best players in all of baseball. In 1964, his first full season at the Major League level, he hit .318 with 29 home runs and 91 RBI en route to National League Rookie of the Year honors.
Allen spent nine seasons with the Phillies (1963-69), earning three All-Star selections during the span. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals at the conclusion of the 1969 season.
Despite changing teams for the first time in his career, Allen did not miss a beat with the Cardinals. He hit at least 30 home runs (34) for a third consecutive season, drove in 101 RBI and received yet another All-Star nod.
The Dodgers mourn the passing of seven-time All-Star and former Dodger Dick Allen and offer our sincerest condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/8oShYWexbF
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 7, 2020
Shortly after the 1970 season, Allen was traded to the Dodgers for Ted Sizemore and Bob Stinson. He appeared in 155 games for L.A., tallying 24 doubles, 23 home runs and 90 RBI over 649 plate appearances.
The Dodgers fell just short of advancing to the postseason that season, winning 89 games and finishing in second place in the NL West. At the end of the season, Allen was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Steve Huntz and Tommy John.
From a statistical standpoint, Allen enjoyed the best season of his career with Chicago in 1972. He led the American League with 37 home runs and 113 RBI en route to MVP honors.
Allen spent two more years with the White Sox before returning to the Phillies midway through the 1975 season. He spent the next year and a half with Philadelphia before wrapping up his career as a member of the Oakland Athletics in 1977.
Allen was one of the most fearsome hitters of his era. From 1964-74, he led all of baseball with 10 seasons of 20+ home runs and an .850+ on-base plus slugging.
In 15 overall seasons, Allen hit .292/.378/.534 with 320 doubles, 79 triples, 351 home runs, 1,119 RBI and 1,099 runs scored across 7,315 plate appearances (1,749 games).
Allen is considered one of the best players to not be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He fell one vote short of getting in 2014 via the Golden Era Committee. Allen likely would have been inducted this week at the Winter Meetings, but voting was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Dodgers mourning loss of former scout Lon Joyce
In addition to Allen, the Dodgers are mourning the loss of former scout Lon Joyce. A part of the organization since 1992, he was responsible for signing the likes of Corey Seager, Edwin Jackson, Jonathan Broxton, Grant Holmes and Kyle Farmer, among others.
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