Philadelphia Phillies legend Dick Allen passes away at 78

Phillies legend Dick Allen has passed away, just more than three months after his No. 15 was retired by the organization.

The Philadelphia Phillies have lost a legendary member of their family. Dick Allen, a seven time All-Star, 1964 National League Rookie of the Year, and 1972 American League Most Valuable Player, passed away Monday afternoon at his home in Wampum, Pennsylvania. Allen was just 78.

Allen played 15 seasons in the majors, nine with the Phillies from 1963-69 and 1975-76. During his time in Philadelphia, Allen slashed .290/.371/.530 with 204 doubles, 64 triples, 204 home runs, and 655 RBI across 1,070 games and 4,511 plate appearances.

“The Phillies are heartbroken over the passing today of our dear friend and co-worker, Dick Allen,” the team said in a statement. “Dick will be remembrered as not just one of the greatest and most popular players in our franchise’s history, but also as a courageous warrior who had to overcame far too many obstacles to reach the level he did. Dick’s iconic status will resonate for generations of baseball fans to come as one of the all-time greats to play America’s Pastime. He is now reunited with his beloved daughter, Terri. The Phillies extend their condolences to Dick’s widow, Willa, his family, friends and all his fans from coast to coast.”

Allen’s 204 home runs rank tenth in franchise history, while his .530 slugging percentage ranks second, trailing just Hall of Famer Chuck Klein (.553). Allen led his league in runs scored, triples, RBI, walks, and total bases once; home runs and on-base percentage twice; slugging percentage three times; and OPS four times.

While mostly known for fielding the first and third base positions, Allen played almost every position; along with the Phillies, Allen also wore a uniform for the St. Louis Cardinals (1970), Los Angeles Dodgers (1971), Chicago White Sox (1972-74), and Oakland Athletics (1977). Following his playing days, Allen joined the Phillies front office in 1994 as a fan representative an later as a club ambassador.

Overall, Allen slugged a combined 351 home runs and 1,119 RBI in his career, while slashing .292/.378/.534.

While he has yet to be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, the Phillies bestowed Allen the organization’s highest honor by retiring his retired his No. 15 jersey this past September at Citizens Bank Park — exactly 57 years after he made his big-league debut with the organization in 1963.

As NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury notes, Allen would have learned his Hall of Fame fate this week — had COVID-19 not postponed this fall’s two Era Committee elections to next year.

Once Halladay’s No. 34 is officially retired sometime in 2021, he and Allen will be among seven players to have had their numbers retired by the Phillies; they will be joined by Hall of Famers Richie Ashburn (1), Jim Bunning (14), Mike Schmidt (20), Steve Carlton (32), and Robin Roberts (36).

The Phillies planned to again honor their 1994 Wall of Fame inductee Allen during the 2021 season, once fans could attend in person and “properly salute” his career. Now, sadly, the second ceremony will be held without Allen.