It’s been a while since I’ve contributed to The APBA Blog. I apologize for my absence. With the resent pandemic, I’ve had significantly more free time for all things APBA, so I figured this was as good a time as any to begin contributing again. After speaking with my brother, Kirk, about all the teams and players he’s been discovering on his APBA GO monthly subscription, we came up with the concept of First Card Friday.
The idea is similar to rookie eligibility. As you probably know, a player is considered a rookie unless he has exceeded any of the following in his previous season:
• 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues.
• 45 total days on an active Major League roster prior to Sept. 1
Within these basic parameters, First Card Friday cards will be selected. This means a players very first APBA card might not be highlighted, just one while they maintained rookie status. For example, Johnny Bench had an APBA card in 1967, but his rookie card was in 1968. Either APBA card could be selected. This is also the case with our inaugural selection, Dick Allen.
Known as Richie when he broke into the Big Leagues, Allen came up for ten games for the Phillies in 1963 before taking the NL by storm in 1964. Dick Allen’s 1964 season was one of the best rookie years in history. He led the league in runs (125), triples (13), extra base hits (80), and total bases (352). Allen finished in the top five in batting average (.318), slugging percentage (.557), hits (201), and doubles (38) and won NL Rookie of the Year. However, playing for the first time at third base, he led the NL with 41 errors
Dick Allen’s First Card is as impressive as his domination of NL offensive categories in 1964. For the season, he hit .318, however I project this card to produce a .327 average. You’ve got to love his power numbers (3-6-5-1). This is one of those rare cards in which anything could happen anytime you roll the dice. It’s a fun card, even with it’s six 13s. But like I always say, I’d rather have a strikeout than a double play.
Should Allen be in the Hall of Fame? The simple answer is yes. As a seven-time All-Star, Allen’s numbers pretty much speak for themselves. There are only 26 players in history to win a Rookie of the Year and MVP award—and he’s one of them. He hit 351 career home runs and was a lifetime .292 hitter. Granted, injuries and off the field issues cut into Allen’s career numbers, but those who played with him and against him thought he was one of the most fearsome hitters of his era. Frequently hitting tape-measure home runs, Allen probably would have led the league in exit velocity if such statistics would have been in existence. Dealing with racial issues in his early playing days, Allen became surly with the press, which certainly didn’t help in later Hall of Fame voting. However, contrary to rumors, Dick Allen’s teammates and managers said he was a tremendous clubhouse guy.
While he led the league in home runs twice, and hit 30+ six times, his most impressive long ball season was probably 1970 when he hit 34 while playing in cavernous Busch Stadium in St. Louis. This December, the Golden Days Era committee will meet again for the potential class of 2021. Hopefully they’ll finally get it right and induct Dick Allen.
You might wonder why Dick Allen was picked for the initial First Card Friday. Well, his selection was inspired by my recent appearance (with my brother) on the This Week in APBA Podcast. Host John Asalon is in the midst of his 1964 season replay. His replay originated from the 1964 Philadelphia Phillies and their collapse at the end of the season when they lost their final ten games…and the pennant. Hopefully, John will comment on this post and give us an update on his replay and specifically Dick Allen’s performance. In the meantime, I plan to continue with First Card Friday posts, with an occasional Final Card Friday and other posts. It’s good to be back.
Welcome back. Great read.
Good to see you back. I enjoy your posts. Looking forward to more off them.
Hey Kevin, I’d be happy to report on what has become a passion for me; my 1964 BBW replay.
Seeing Dick Allen’s card this morning was cool since I don’t see it during my replay (although I do have the ‘64 card set). Pretty impressive rookie card. And he has been equally impressive in my replay.
Allen’s slash line is .320/.394/.552 He has slugged 15 home runs (T-6th in NL) 10 doubles, 5 triples (3rd) and driven in a major league leading 66 RBI. He has been selected as the backup 3rd baseman for the NL All-Star team, behind Cub third sacker, Ron Santo.
The Phils’ have had an incredible first half, posting a MLB best 52-20 record with three games to play before the break. They lead the second place Giants by 9.5 games but play their final three game set of the first half in the “City by the Bay”.
Allen’s teammate, Johnny Callison have together produced the best 1-2 punch in all of baseball. Combined they have accounted for a .332 BA. with 27 doubles, 13 triples, 30 homers and 125 RBI!! If they continue at this pace, the Phillies could have the MVP, ROY and National League pennant at seasons end.
To follow my replay in more detail, check out my page on the “APBA -BETWEEN THE LINES section of the Delphi Forum. My page is called “1964 Computer Baseball Replay”.
Thanks for the shout out, Kevin. It was fun having you and Kirk on the podcast. And thanks for the Dick Allen rookie card post on “First Card Friday”.
Thanks for the post about Dick Allen, Kevin, one of my favorite players of all time. I’m just (and when I say “just”, I mean like, this week) getting back into APBA cards and dice, after many sometimes frustrating years with the computer game. I had an epiphany a couple of months ago and realized that I missed the “hands-on” fixation of rolling the dice and arranging the cards. So I’m going back to 1979 when I first purchased APBA. Of course I ordered the newest incarnation of the game, with the charts now in a handy booklet, I’m told, and some tweaking of the cards. This is serendipitous because I’m prepping for a Phillies replay of that 1964 season, so I’ll be using that exact “Richie” Allen card. I’m really looking forward to rolling the dice again. By the way, not to get too trivia-dorkish on you, but the Phillies didn’t actually lose their last 10 games that year. They had a 6 and a half game lead with 12 to play, then proceeded to lose 10 straight. They won their last 2 games, but it was a too late, they had already been passed by the Cardinals.
It’s awesome you’re coming back to APBA. I’m sure it’ll bring you joy during these crazy times. I appreciate the correction on the 64 Phillies collapse. Being accurate is important. I’m usually pretty good with my research, but I’m not perfect. I hope your replay goes well. Keep us updated.