Outside The Confines: Remembering Dick Allen

On December 7th, at the age of 78, Dick Allen passed away in his hometown of Wampum, PA. Allen, a Rookie of the Year, a seven-time All-Star, and a league MVP in his 15 major league seasons touched the hearts of many, and was remembered by fans (especially of the Phillies and White Sox), and by writers alike.

Allen’s passing has been the biggest story of the week, because it’s one more name in a list of baseball legends who we lost this year. But Allen’s passing feels extra difficult right now as Hall of Fame ballots circulate, because in spite of all his career accolades, it was an achievement Allen never got in his lifetime.

He would have been eligible this winter to be selected as an Era’s Committee induction option, but the Era’s Committee has opted not to select any options this winter in light of COVID-19, meaning Dick Allen’s hopes of making it to the Hall of Fame must be postponed at least one more year.

In light of his passing many great baseball minds have reflected on the man fondly, and we’ll lead off links today with those myriad remembrances. These stories are important to share, especially now, because most modern Hall of Fame experts agree that Allen wasn’t left out of the Hall because he lacked the credentials, but rather because he was an outspoken Black man in a time when the media (especially Hall voters) just wasn’t prepared to face that.

• Ryan M. Spaeder reflects on what kept Allen out of the Hall of Fame.
• Jayson Stark takes the time to look at what might have gone differently for Allen. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• Andrew Simon uses modern metrics to make a HOF case for Allen.
• Meghan Montemurro focuses on the indelible mark Allen and his bat left on Major League Baseball. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• Jay Jaffe takes a hard look at what it is that has kept Allen out of the Hall up until now.
• Remember that time Ozzie Guillen destroyed Adam Eaton?

• Joe Posnanski continues his series of players left out of the Hall of Fame here as well as here. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• Looks like a developer forgot one very important detail in their renderings of a potential Montreal stadium site, writes Neil deMause.
• Baseball teams are crying foul over lost revenue and using it as an excuse for not making big deals, but Craig Edwards shows us just how much their current payrolls are sitting at.
• For some players 2020 was a no good, very bad year, and Matt Martell shows us 10 players especially in need of a bounce-back year in 2021.
• Need some cheering up? Pitching Ninja has provided over eight minutes of Zack Greinke’s 2020 antics in one video, and I couldn’t be happier.
• Tom Verducci looks at the unusual contract made between the Mets and Sam McWilliams.
• The writers at ESPN seem extra sad Winter Meetings were cancelled in person this year, as they reflect on their fond memories of Meetings past.
• Are the Detroit Tigers looking to replace their iconic Olde English D next year?

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.