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Honoring the extraordinary legacy and groundbreaking achievements of Richard Anthony "Dick" Allen, a Philadelphia Phillies legend and trailblazing African American baseball player, as he receives his long-overdue induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Class of 2025.
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WHEREAS, Richard Anthony Allen, better known as Dick Allen, was born on March 8, 1942, in Wampum, Pennsylvania, to Era and Coy Allen, as one of nine children; and
WHEREAS, Allen attended Wampum High School, where he excelled at basketball but chose to pursue a career in baseball, after being discovered by Philadelphia Phillies scout, Jack Ogden, in 1960; and
WHEREAS, Allen began his professional baseball career with the Phillies minor league affiliate in Little Rock, where he made history as the team's first Black player, facing significant racial discrimination; and
WHEREAS, Dick Allen's remarkable rookie season in the Major Leagues included impressive statistics - 125 runs, 13 triples, 80 extra-base hits, 352 total bases, a .318 batting average, and 38 doubles - earning him the coveted title of Rookie of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Allen was selected to multiple All-Star teams during his time with the Philadelphia Phillies, establishing himself as one of the most dynamic players of his era; and
WHEREAS, Despite being an invaluable player for the Phillies, Allen faced relentless racial hostility, with fans throwing objects at him on the field, in response to which, he began wearing his batting helmet even while playing the outfield, earning the nickname "Crash Helmet" later shortened to "Crash"; and
WHEREAS. Allen was traded to the St. Louis Cardinal before the 1970 season, then to the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 1971 season, and ultimately to the Chicago White Sox December 2, 1971; and
WHEREAS, During his time with the White Sox, Dick Allen exclusively played first base, allowing him to focus on his powerful hitting and helping to elevate the team to second place...
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