Ron Allen (baseball)

Early life

Allen starred at Wampum High School alongside his older brothers, future Hall of Fame member Dick Allen and outfielder–infielder Hank Allen. He scored 1,195 career points as a forward and center for the school's basketball team, which won state championships in 1958 and 1960. Allen was named section 20 MVP his senior year, an honor shared by his brothers Coy Craine Allen, Caesar Craine, Harold Allen, and Dick Allen under coach Butler Hennon. He attended Youngstown State University on a basketball scholarship, scoring 1,001 career points and ranking in the top 25 in career rebounds, and is a member of the YSU Hall of Fame.

Professional career

Ron Allen signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on June 13, 1964 and started his pro career with the Miami Marlins in the Florida State League. While playing for the Tidewater Tides in 1967, he led the Carolina League with 100 RBI. Before the 1970 season, the Phillies traded him to the New York Mets for a player to be named later. The St. Louis Cardinals acquired him ahead of the 1972 campaign.

Allen’s big-league tenure was brief: he appeared in only seven games for the Cardinals in 1972, debuting on August 11 and playing his last game on August 21. Over five games at first base, he handled 30 of 31 chances, posting a .968 fielding percentage.

His finest moment came on August 17, 1972 at San Diego Stadium. After teammate Joe Torre was ejected in the bottom of the eighth inning, Allen replaced him at first base. In the top of the ninth, he collected his only major league hit—a home run off Padres right-hander Mike Corkins.

Did You Know?

• Allen received his B.S. in General Studies on August 14, 2010 from Youngstown State University, 46 years and 195 days after scoring his last point for the Penguins, fulfilling a promise to his mother.
• As of October 2006, with 358 home runs among them, the Allen brothers ranked #11 in MLB brother combination home runs.
• Allen has been inducted to the Reading Phillies Hall of Fame.