Baseball star Richie “Dick” Allen forced Philadelphians to address the racism that existed in their city during the 1960s. While his candid opinions challenged the white baseball establishment, Allen’s tape-measure home runs earned the admiration of younger fans and fellow players, both black and white. The admiration, as well as Allen’s reputation as “Baseball’s Bad Boy,” continued after he left Philadelphia to play for the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago White Sox. Named the American League’s Most Valuable player in 1972, Allen was one of the game’s most misunderstood players. Based on interviews of teammates, family, friends, and Allen himself, this richly illustrated biography with original artwork by Dick Perez explores the star’s personal life as well as his playing career. It is a story about one of the finest baseball players of all time, and one who deserves to be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Schiffer Books

2017 | Hardcover

ISBN: 9780764352843

Pages: 304

Illustrations: 204 color and b&w images

Price: $29.99

“William Kashatus has given us a clear view into the life and times of one of the greatest players in baseball history, and one who continues to be overlooked by Baseball’s Hall of Fame.” – Mike Schmidt, Phillies’ Hall of Fame third baseman

“Other than Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente, Dick Allen was just as good if not better than any other Hall of Famer he competed against . . . Kashatus offers indisputable evidence that Dick was not only one of the game’s most feared hitters, but a good man and a wonderful teammate who belongs in Cooperstown.” – Tony Taylor, Phillies’ teammate, 1964-69, 1975-76

“Statistically speaking, Allen was one of the best offensive players in the history of the game. Kashatus removes all doubt that he belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame.” – Ruly Carpenter, III, Phillies’ president & owner, 1972-1981

“William Kashatus has again demonstrated why he is one of America’s finest baseball historians. Many have tried to master the riddle of Dick Allen’s spectacular, but enigmatic, career. Where others have failed, Kashatus succeeds. I heartily enjoyed reading this book; you will too.” – Bill Jenkinson, MLB Home Run historian and author, Baseball’s Ultimate Power

“Dick Allen remains one of the most beloved sports figures in Chicago. He was not only a teammate, but a valued friend to those of us who had the good fortune to play with him on the White Sox. In this biography, William Kashatus does a remarkable job of recreating those years. It’s almost as if he were a member of those Sox teams, providing readers with a keen insight into Dick and what he meant to teammates and fans.” – Bill Melton, Chicago White Sox teammate

“In 1972, Dick Allen had one of the most remarkable seasons in baseball singlehandedly making the White Sox a contender. He was the greatest player I ever saw. As a rookie pitcher, I was fortunate that Dick took me under his wing, teaching me how to pitch from the perspective of a power hitter. Thanks to Bill Kashatus, we finally have a biography that does justice to his storied career.” – Rich “Goose” Gossage, teammate and Hall of Fame pitcher

“Kashatus is unabashedly pro-Allen. But to his credit, he is completely forthright about his point of view. He doesn't ignore Allen's transgressions. Instead he puts them in the context of the turbulent 1960s. One of the greatest pleasures of the book are the lush photos, illustrations and charts. Many of the pictures are courtesy of the Allen family and are published here for the first time.” — Paul Hagen, MLB.com

“One of the best-selling baseball biographies of all-time.” — Forbes Magazine