DALLAS — Dick Allen, one of the finest players of his era, was long overdue for this prestigious honor. His journey to the Baseball Hall of Fame was a long and arduous one, but finally, on Sunday evening, it became a reality. He will be inducted in 2025, a moment that his son, Richard Allen Jr., described as "like champagne popping." The celebration in a conference room at the Hilton Anatole was a bittersweet one, filled with relief and a sense of what was long awaited.

The Long-Awaited Induction of Dick Allen into the Baseball Hall of Fame

Early Years and Rookie Success

From 1964 to 1974, Dick Allen's.940 OPS was second only to Hank Aaron's.941 during that time. In 1964, he was named the NL Rookie of the Year, setting the stage for a remarkable career. He led the league in OPS four different years and in home runs twice. His career batting average was a solid.292, and the active player closest to his.534 career slugging percentage is Juan Soto at.532. These numbers speak volumes about his talent and impact on the game.During his playing days, Allen faced various challenges. He played during an era of high racial tension and didn't always have a harmonious relationship with the media, the Phillies organization, or the fanbase. But his talent shone through, and his resume was always there.

Close Calls and Final Induction

Allen had previously appeared on six different veteran's committee ballots. In 2021 and 2014, he fell just one vote shy of induction. The voting panel consisted of Ozzie Smith, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Tony Perez, Lee Smith, Joe Torre, five current or former executives, and five historians/media members. For election, a candidate must be selected on at least 75% of ballots — 12 of 16. Allen's time had finally come.His son, Richard Allen Jr., shared his father's feelings about the long wait. "It was like waiting on that third out," he said. "Just waiting, just waiting. It's a load off my mind and off my back. He never wanted to talk about it. He never did talk about it. But this would have been big for him. He could hide it and fake it all he wants, but he'd get back and when we're alone, he'd have a green (Heineken) and talk about it."

Posthumous Recognition and Legacy

Dick Allen passed away in December 2020 at the age of 78. But his impact on the game lives on. Three months earlier, on the 57th anniversary of his Phillies debut, the team retired his No. 15 with a ceremony at Citizens Bank Park. "The city of Philadelphia, even though it was rough at times, I made some friends along the way," he said that day.Former teammate Mike Schmidt and Phillies managing partner John Middleton have been two of Allen's biggest fans. Middleton idolized Allen as a kid and described it as "the first time I'd ever heard someone described as a phenom. Dick helped turn my fandom into a passion." Schmidt was the one to reveal Allen's retired No. 15 past the center field wall on that special day."And as long as the Baseball Hall of Fame is standing, Allen's bust will be on display," a testament to his lasting legacy in the sport.