WHEREAS, Dick Allen was born on March 8, 1942 in the town of Wampum, PA, a small working class community northwest of Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, He was an outstanding athlete at Wampum High School and as captain and all-state guard, he led the basketball team to the Class B state championship; and
WHEREAS, However, it was his baseball prowess that attracted a Phillies scout which resulted in his signing by the Phillies in 1960. Mr. Allen received a bonus of $70,000 for agreeing to terms with the Phils; and
WHEREAS, Dick quickly moved through the Phillies farm system and in 1963 he was assigned to the Triple A team located in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he became the first African-American ballplayer to play in the minor leagues in that state; and
WHEREAS, In 1964, Mr. Allen had a brilliant rookie season with the parent club when he batted .318, scored 125 runs, stroked 201 hits, clubbed 29 homers and knocked in 91 runs. These numbers earned him Rookie of the Year honors as the Phils finished one game behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League pennant race; and
WHEREAS, Dick played with the Phillies through the 1969 season. In 1966, he probably had his best season with the Phils when he hit .317, slammed 40 homeruns and had 110 runs batted in; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allen moved to the American League in 1972, when he joined the Chicago White Sox. Dick hit .308, smacked 37 homers and knocked in 113 runs and was named as the MVP of the American League; and
WHEREAS, Dick would later return to the Phillies for the 1975 and 1976 seasons when he helped the Phils reach postseason play in 1976 for the first time since 1950; and
WHEREAS, Dick Allen currently works for the Phillies as a part-time coach. He is also quite involved with the club’s program for reviving baseball in the inner city; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we honor Dick Allen for his outstanding Major League Baseball career and for his involvement as a community relations representative for the Phillies.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Dick Allen as evidence of the sincere sentiments and recognition of this legislative body.
End