Dick Allen, the Chicago White Sox legend, dies at 78.

Chicago Tribune ^ | Dec 7, 2020 | Paul Sullivan and Paul Skrbina

[PhillyPhreeper]

As I recall he was not happy at Philly and he let the fans know. He would trace his leaving date in the dirt at 3rd base during the game. But no one could argue with his talent. I always thought that if he got rid of the BS he would have been the best in his time.

[ifinnegan]

Classic photo.

His offensive stats, ops and ops+ are among the best. But he didn’t play that many games compared to other Hall of Famers.

[ifinnegan]

Allen is tied for 15th with Willie Mays and Frank Thomas in career ops+ at 156, a point ahead of Hank Aaron.

But Aaron played 23 years, Mays 22, Thomas 19. Allen only 15.

If Allen had the same stats with more seasons he’d have been first ballot.

Lesser lights have been voted in since.

[OrangeHoof]

Allen was an early critic of artificial turf. He famously said “If a horse can’t eat it, I won’t play on it.”

He was great for awhile but didn’t last long enough to reach the Hall with that attitude. Same with Gary Sheffield.

[foreverfree]

I was too young for Allen's first go round with the Phils, so I missed out on the controversies accompanying same. I was about 4 years into following baseball by 1975 when Allen returned to Philly and I saw him play a few times. Not once did I boo him. :) RIP, Dick. Tell your best friend on the Phils, Tony Taylor, we said hi.

ff

[Karl Spooner]

Looks like if he had hit 400 HR he would have made it to the HOF. Certainly better than Hall of famer Bill Mazeroski !

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[Vigilanteman]

Bill Mazeroski was to second base what Honus Wagner was to shortstop or Brooks Robinson was to third base defensively. Allen was medicore (at best) defensively and sub-par most of his career.

Maz also beat him in spades as a team player. HoF is supposed to take all of these things into consideration.

[Songcraft]

Richie Allen - Ex-Phillie too.   RIP.