RIP Dick Allen

Got damned COVID.
 
I'll always remember this.

dick-allen-si.jpg
 
I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about the history of the game, I knew Dick Allen was pretty good, but looking at his numbers, had no idea he was that good.

Given the precedent set, he should be in the HOF
 
I think Allen should be in. One of the greatest hitters ever. I think his peak is good enough to offset the short career. Had one of the finest rookie seasons of all-time (.318/.382/.557, 162 OPS+, 8.8 WAR, 125 runs scored). Had a 165 OPS+ from 1964-1974, including a historic 1972 season (.308/.420/.603, 199 OPS+). The average AL hitter batted .239/.306/.343 that year and the second highest OPS in the AL belonged to Carlton Fisk... at .909 (which is a very fine season for a catcher).
 
You have to wonder what goes through parents’ minds.

“Let’s name him Richard. We’ll call him Dick.”
 
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