a memorial patch for dick allen

i made sure to acquire this 2021 topps update 1986 35th anniversary bryce harper card

to put in my memorials collection due to the presence of the "15" patch on his right sleeve in honor of the late dick allen.  allen passed away just over a year ago, in december of 2020. thankfully, the phillies were able to honor him with a number retirement ceremony in september of last year, just a few months before he passed. 

i first knew of allen as a guy whose high number 1971 topps card was a "need" for my dodger team set that seemed, at the time, unobtainable. shortly thereafter, i learned that he won the american league mvp the year after he was traded by the dodgers, and had been named the national league rookie of the year in 1964. even though he had such a big year after leaving the dodgers, i was ok with it as his departure opened up third base for steve garvey and then ron cey. i would have known about allen a heck of a lot sooner had he been included in the 1978 topps set, but his career ended too early in the 1977 season for him to be included on the checklist.

allen just missed out on the hall of fame (again) which is either too bad or the right call depending upon where you stand on his accomplishments and the criteria for enshrinement. for me, i was hoping he would get the call. rest in peace, wampum walloper!