Dick Allen and Dave Parker had been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, as revealed by the Classic Baseball Era committee tonight. Parker (14 votes) and Allen (13) every acquired greater than the minimal 12 of 16 votes needed for induction. Tommy John was the next-closest candidate with seven votes, and Ken Boyer, John Donaldson, Steve Garvey, Vic Harris and Luis Tiant every acquired fewer than 5 votes.
Allen and Parker might be formally inducted to Cooperstown on July 27, together with any gamers inducted by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. The outcomes of the writers’ poll might be introduced on January 21.
Known previously because the “veterans committee,” the Era Committee is a rotating panel of former gamers, managers, executives, group house owners, media members, and historians who meet yearly to find out which (if any) candidates from the previous deserve election to Cooperstown. Candidates embrace former gamers who weren’t elected or thought-about on the traditional BBWAA poll, or non-playing personnel that aren’t a part of the writers’ poll. This yr’s poll checked out candidates whose largest contributions to the sport got here within the pre-1980 “Classic Baseball Era,” although clearly a couple of of the candidates additionally had important moments of their careers after the 1980 season.
Today’s information is undoubtedly bittersweet for Allen’s household and supporters, as Allen handed away in 2020. He twice fell only a single vote shy of induction in previous appearances on Era Committee/Veterans Committee ballots, and Allen didn’t obtain a lot consideration on the writers’ ballots when he was eligible. At lengthy final, the slugger has now lastly been acknowledged by Cooperstown for an impressive 15-year profession highlighted by the 1972 AL MVP Award.
Allen hit .292/.378/.534 with 351 homers and 1119 RBI over 7315 profession plate appearances with the Phillies, Cardinals, Dodgers, White Sox, and Athletics from 1963-77. He kicked his profession off with a bang by successful NL Rookie of the Year honors in 1964, whereas additionally ending seventh in MVP voting that very same yr. Allen was a seven-time All-Star who twice led the American League in residence runs, and had an impressive 155 wRC+ for his profession.
No dialogue of Allen is full with out point out of his outspoken persona. To his detractors, Allen was considered as a disruptive malcontent who clashed with some followers, sportswriters, teammates, managers, and entrance places of work, which was a part of the explanation Allen steadily modified groups regardless of his success on the sphere. To his supporters, nevertheless, Allen was a no-nonsense determine who was greater than keen to struggle again in opposition to perceived injustice, particularly when confronted with racism as a black participant within the 1960’s and 70’s. While Allen was usually perceived as a nasty affect throughout his profession, a lot of Allen’s previous teammates and managers have spoken out to counter that fame, describing Allen in glowing phrases as a clubhouse chief.
Parker additionally handled controversy throughout his profession, as he battled a cocaine dependancy within the 1980’s. This well-publicized difficulty might have been the explanation Parker additionally garnered comparatively little assist on the BBWAA poll, and knee issues additionally lower brief his prime years. Still, “the Cobra” at his peak was probably the greatest all-around gamers in baseball, with a resume that features seven All-Star nods, two NL batting titles, three Gold Gloves, the 1978 NL MVP Award, and two World Series rings throughout his 19 Major League seasons.
Parker performed his first 11 of these seasons in Pittsburgh, becoming a member of Willie Stargell because the heroes of that period of Pirates baseball, together with a starring function on the 1979 “We Are Family” championship group. Injuries and drug issues hampered the tail finish of Parker’s time in Pittsburgh, however he rebounded with a four-year run with the Reds that noticed him financial institution top-five finishes in MVP balloting in 1985 and 1986. The Cobra then earned a bit extra postseason glory on the Athletics’ pennant-winning groups in 1988 and 1989, capturing one other ring with the latter A’s membership. Over 2466 video games and 10184 PA, Parker hit .290/339/.471 with 339 residence runs, 1493 RBI, and had a 120 wRC+ for his profession.
This yr’s 16-person Classic Baseball Era committee was comprised of HOF members Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Tony Perez, Lee Smith, Ozzie Smith, and Joe Torre; MLB house owners and executives Sandy Alderson, Terry McGuirk, Dayton Moore, Arte Moreno and Brian Sabean; media members/historians Bob Elliott, Leslie Heaphy, Steve Hirdt, Dick Kaegel and Larry Lester.
