Baseball Icons Dick Allen and Dave Parker Inducted into 2025 Hall of Fame Cohort
The Baseball Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 suffered its first pair of inductees on a Sunday, with ex-battery mates Dave Parker and Dick Allen earning the spots via the Classic Era Committee.
The chosen duo was picked from an 8-man selection list, all of whom left their mark in the game prior to 1980 during the ritual at Dallas' Winter Meetings.
Parker, a stalwart right-field gunner with a couple of World Series victories to his name, was a seven-time All-Star and twice garnered the National League MVP award while batting champion for two successive seasons in '77 and '78. He also hoarded three Gold Gloves for his stellar defense.
Allen collected Rookie of the Year laurels upon debuting as a third baseman with the Philadelphia Phillies and later earned MVP status with the '72 Chicago White Sox as a first baseman. Paralleling Parker, he was a seven-time All-Star and dominated his league in extra-base hits and slugging percentage, maintaining his power-hitting prowess for nine successive seasons with at least 20 home runs annually.
Regrettably, Allen passed away four years ago and will be recognized posthumously during the ceremony, while Parker continues to shine at the ripe age of 73.
It required at least 12 out of the 16 panelist's votes (containing historians, writers, and famed Hall of Famers) to secure a place, all transpiring at Dallas' Anatole Hotel before the TV announcement on MLB Network. Josh Rawitch, the Head of Hall of Fame, disclosed the results.
In order to gain an entry, candidates in both the regular election and the Eras Committees required 75% of the vote. Parker cornered 14 votes, with Allen following suit with 13. Unluckily, Tommy John and Luis Tiant, ex-NL MVPs Ken Boyer and Steve Garvey, along with Negro Leagues pioneers John Donaldson and Vic Harris, fell short.
Prior to the Sunday vote, the Hall of Fame counted 346 members, including 273 players, 39 executives and trailblazers, 23 trainers, and 10 umpires. This tally is expected to alter in a month when the Baseball Writers Association of America unveils its annual vote results.
Due to his stellar performances in both the U.S. and Japan, Ichiro Suzuki appears virtually certain to command the top spot. He stands an opportunity to join Mariano Rivera as the only unanimous players ever elected and become the first Japanese native in the gallery.
The Class of 2025's induction is scheduled for the Clark Sports Center, about a mile from their plaque's future residence at the museum, on July 27.
Parker and Allen's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 took place in Cooperstown, a notable milestone for both players. Dave Parker, recognized for his seven All-Star appearances and two consecutive batting titles, joined Dick Allen, who was posthumously honored for his MVP status with the Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies. However, Ken Boyer, Steve Garvey, Tommy John, Luis Tiant, and other deserving candidates like John Donaldson and Vic Harris missed out on the induction, falling short of the required votes. The Hall of Fame will welcome its new members to the museum located near the Clark Sports Center on July 27.
