Current, former Phillies call out Hall of Fame committee for Dick Allen snub

Phillies owner, executives, and former players speak out in support of Dick Allen after latest Hall of Fame snub

The Philadelphia Phillies aren’t staying silent about Dick Allen‘s continued exclusion from the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Allen played for the Phillies twice in his 15-year career for a total of nine seasons. Statistically speaking, he has more than enough to merit enshrinement. He had numbers better than or on par with several Hall of Famers of his era, including Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Carl Yastrzemski, and Willie McCovey. Modern stats like OPS+ only strengthen his case for the Hall.

Phillies principal owner and managing partner John Middleton issued a simple, yet commanding statement:

“I am terribly disappointed.”

Middleton retired Allen’s number in 2020. A few months later, the 78-year-old Allen passed away at his home in Pennsylvania.

Phillies GM-turned-game analyst Ruben Amaro Jr., who played for the Phillies and whose father was teammates with Allen, was outraged on Sunday.

Kevin Frandsen, who played for the Phillies from 2012-2013 and now works as a color analyst for the Phillies radio said it was an “absolute joke” that Allen remains excluded.

Larry Shenk, who became the Phillies Director of Public Relations in 1964 and remained with the club until 2015, remains a staunch advocate of Allen, who began his Phillies career around the same time. He would like the members of the Golden Era committee, themselves former players, to reveal their Hall of Fame votes, thereby identifying who is keeping Allen from the honor he deserves.

Shenk and Amaro commiserated on Sunday evening.

Speaking of Phillies named Larry, 1980 World Series champion Larry Bowa, who played for, coached, and managed the Phillies, added his two cents. He celebrated the induction of Jim Kaat, and mourned Allen’s snub.

It is unacceptable that Allen, who suffered so much during his career, continues to be disrespected decades later.