Submitted by Jim, Feb 12, 2007 14:49

Hello Jerry, Here are some comments on Dick Allen Transactions. 1969 Phillies trade mainly Allen,and Cookie Rojas, to Cardinals for Tim McCarver, and Curt Flood. Flood refuses to report and Phils receive Willie Montanez to complete the trade. During 1970 The Cardinals took a step back due to Pitching issues. They also had similar position players like Dick and Joe Torre. That year Jo Hague and Tim Simmons played alot and showed great promise. Rojas played second. But the Cardinals deemed second base a needed upgrade. That's why Dick was traded to The Dodgers for Sizemore and Backup Catcher Bob Stinson. Sizemore was NL Roy in 1969. He was regarded as a youg upcoming player. The Cardinals mad the trade and still didn't go anywhere in the standings. During 1971, Dick joined a young talented team in LA. He and Willie Davis main hitters in the lineup. That team lost the NL West by one game. Walter Alston said he was very proud of the team. Dick played 1b, 3b, and LF. After the season he was traded to the White Sox for LH starter(Best White Sox pitcher) Tommy John. The Dodgers acquired Frank Robinson to replace Dicks bat. The Dodgers finished worst the next year. The trade was a fair one. Dick was playing the 1974 and in the latter part of the season was declining as a hitter. He retired after a game in the clubhouse with about a month left in the season. He said he felt so much pressure to carry the team. Jim Kaat who visited Dick later that evening said he could see how Dick felt better. Some people have suggested that Dick retired because of Ron Santo, etc. Chuck Tanner and GM Rolond Heming? met with Dick afterward to convince him not to send in his retirement notice. He reluctantly agreed only to be sold to the Atlanta Braves during the winter of 1974. Hank Aaron had decided to go to Milwaukee to finish his career and the Braves hoped that Dick would play for them. Dick told the Braves he had no interest in playing again. In early 1975, The Phillies Mike Schmidt, Broadcaster, Richy Ashburn, and some others visited Dick, who lived in Bucks Co, PA. Dick was convinced that the Phillies had an upcoming team and expressed an interest in playing for them. The Phillies contacted the Braves and paid them $150,000 and a couple players for the rights to Dick. He joined the Phillies in Mid May, and was inserted into the lineup right away. Now, Dick had not played baseball since early September 1974. He was very rusty and 1975 was not a good season for him personally. After, 1976, Dick became a Free Agent and signed with the Oakland A's. At this time the A's were rapidly becoming a bad baseball team. After a month or so of the season, Dick again became convinced that his best days whwre over. He left the team and retired offically in 1978. were over. Jim

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