The Baseball Hall of Fame’s Classic Baseball Era Committee has made its latest selections, enshrining Dave Parker and Dick Allen among the sport’s legends. Their inclusion sparks joy for fans and historians while highlighting the challenges of honoring overdue candidates.
Dick Allen: A Long-Overdue Recognition
Dick Allen’s selection comes with bittersweet timing. After narrowly missing induction twice in recent years, Allen’s enshrinement occurs posthumously—three years after his death in 2020.
Known for his immense talent and fiery personality, Allen compiled a career OPS+ of 165, reflecting his dominance during a pitching-heavy era. His standout 1972 season included a league-leading 37 home runs, 113 RBIs, and an 8.6 bWAR, earning him AL MVP honors. Despite his accolades, clashes with media, managers, and fans overshadowed his brilliance, delaying his Hall recognition.
“If modern metrics had existed during Allen’s career, his enshrinement would have come decades earlier,” a sentiment widely echoed among analysts.
Dave Parker: A Star of Two Careers
Dave Parker, or “The Cobra,” also joins the Hall of Fame with a story that mirrors Allen’s in certain respects. Parker’s peak during the late 1970s was dazzling, combining power hitting, multiple batting titles, and a legendary throwing arm.
A two-time batting champion and 1978 NL MVP, Parker played a pivotal role in the 1979 World Series-winning Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite injuries and personal struggles shortening his peak, Parker reinvented himself in the mid-1980s, earning All-Star recognition and contributing to the 1989 World Series champion Oakland A’s.
“Parker’s career exemplifies resilience, showing how a player can rise, fall, and rise again.”
The Bittersweet Trend of Posthumous Inductions
Allen’s selection continues a pattern of long-overdue posthumous inductions, including Minnie Miñoso, Ron Santo, and Buck O’Neil. While these honors mean the world to families and fans, they raise questions about how the process might better account for overlooked candidates during their lifetimes.
Who Was Left Out?
While Parker and Allen’s inductions are celebrated, legendary third baseman Ken Boyer was notably overlooked. Ranking highly in career, five-year, and ten-year Hall-worthiness metrics, Boyer received fewer than five votes from the committee.
“Boyer’s absence underscores the Hall’s subjective nature, which balances statistics with narrative and personal impact.”
Looking Ahead
As the Hall prepares for the BBWAA ballot, with Ichiro Suzuki expected to headline next year’s class, Parker and Allen’s induction ensures the Cooperstown ceremony will be rich in history and celebration. Their legacies as dominant players and resilient personalities will shine brightly among baseball’s greatest.
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