Early life

Allen starred at Wampum High School alongside his older brothers, future baseball All-Star Dick Allen and outfielder-infielder Hank Allen. Ron Allen scored 1,195 career points as a star forward and center for Wampum High School's basketball team; Wampum captured the 1958 and 1960 state championships in basketball.

Allen was named the section 20 MVP his senior year at Wampum, an honor that was shared by all of his brothers—Coy Craine Allen, Caesar Craine, Harold Allen and Dick Allen—during their playing days under legendary coach Butler Hennon.

Allen went on to attend Youngstown State University on a basketball scholarship, scoring 1,001 career points, and also ranks in the top 25 in career rebounds. He is a member of the YSU Hall of Fame.

Professional career

Minor leagues

Originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies on June 13, 1964, Allen began his professional career with the Miami Marlins of the Florida State League. He led the Carolina League with 100 RBI while playing for the Tidewater Tides in 1967. Prior to the 1970 season, he was traded to the New York Mets for a player to be named later. He was acquired by the Cardinals before the 1972 season.

Major leagues

Allen's major league career was very short as he played in just seven games in 1972 for the St. Louis Cardinals. He made his major league debut on August 11, 1972, and his final appearance on August 21, 1972. In five games at first base, Allen handled 30 out of 31 chances successfully for a .968 fielding percentage.

Allen's best day as a major leaguer was on August 17, 1972 at San Diego Stadium, thanks in part to teammate Joe Torre. Torre was ejected from the game in the bottom of the 8th inning, and Allen came in as his replacement at first base. The next inning he got his only major league hit, a home run against San Diego Padres right-hander Mike Corkins.

Later life and legacy

Allen received his B.S. in General Studies on August 14, 2010 from Youngstown State University. He graduated 46 years and 195 days after scoring his last point for the Penguins, fulfilling a promise made to his mother to earn his college degree.

As of October 2006, with 358 home runs among them, the Allen brothers ranked # 11 in MLB brother combination home runs (out of more than 350 combinations all-time). Allen has also been inducted to the Reading Phillies Hall of Fame.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]