For the past 18 years, Hank Allen has enjoyed his scouting career, currently serving as chief scout for the Astros organization. Prior to the Houston gig, he spent nine years with the Milwaukee Brewers. Now living in Upper Marlboro, Md. between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, he spends time in Nationals Park and Oriole Park at Camden Yards looking to enhance his team’s roster. “My role is to update the current roster and to scout other Major League teams in order to improve our team,” said Hank, who, at 76, still maintains his 6-foot, lithe athletic frame. He’s apparently doing a fine job, considering the Astros have a double-digit lead in the American League West, and are fighting for the top record in the entire American League as the season winds to a close in a few weeks.
Hank’s brother, Dick Allen, now lives in Tampa and “enjoys a life of retirement,” said Hank. For the record, Hank Allen noted that in his hometown, Richie’s family name was always “Dick,” but the Philadelphia media christened him “Richie” in comparison to former Phillies great Richie Asburn. He was also known as the “Wampum Walloper” or “Sleepy,” his family nickname. Many of Dick’s teammates disagree that Dick Allen was a “Clubhouse Lawyer”—a player who spreads negativity to the entire team. Conversely, most vouch for him as being a helpful mentor. Several Major League notables can’t believe that Dick Allen has not yet been elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Hank Allen maintains fond memories of growing up in what he describes as a classic small town, Wampum, Pa. His family actually lived in a small community outside of Wampum called Chewton. “Of course this was during the times of segregation, but in Wampum, we never really experienced any type of divisiveness in our region. Our parents were very respected and although there were way more whites where we lived, we all got along very well,” he said.
Hank Allen grew up as the middle child of five Allen sons. Coy Jr. was 15 years his senior and was the most talented of the quintet, according to Hank Allen. “All of the younger boys looked up to Coy Jr. He’s the reason why we all gravitated toward sports.”
By the time Coy Jr. graduated high school in 1943, his high school baseball achievements were not being recruited or recognized (due to the MLB color line). Coy Jr. was ultimately drafted into the Army (World War II), and upon return, briefly played with the Pittsburgh Crawfords in the Negro Leagues. He also had a stint with the University of Pittsburgh basketball team under acclaimed coach Henry Clifford “Doc” Carlson, but Coy Jr. quit the team because Coach Carlson “would never play him,” said Hank Allen.
The Allens were fortunate enough to play under the tutelage of L. Butler Hennon, one of the nation’s premier high school basketball coaches. Hennon’s son, Don Hennon, is also a family friend who played on Wampum teams with Hank Allen and Dick Allen. “Donnie was a prolific scorer,” recalls Hank Allen, of the former Pitt All-American. Hank Allen likewise notes a lasting friendship with Ron Galbreath, another Wampum native, who coached at Westminster College (New Wilmington, Pa.), Clarion University and Geneva College (Beaver Falls) where he coached the women’s team. Galbreath compiled a combined record of 624-192 during his college coaching career. Hank Allen still talks to his boyhood friend, “at least once a week,” he said.
After briefly working at the Medusa Cement plant in Wampum during the Great Depression, Coy Allen Sr. opened up his own business. He managed to enjoy a thriving career as owner of a refuge hauling business in Coraopolis. Hank Allen says his parents, including his mother Era Allen, were not major sports fans, but maintained a God-fearing household (mother), and self-respect for the family name (father). Both his parents had Southern roots; his mother from Enoree, South Carolina, father from King George, Va.
Hank Allen smiles when he reminisces about the athletic competition he experienced while competing with boys from neighboring schools like New Castle, Beaver Falls, Aliquippa, Monaca and Midland. “Lots of good players during those times. Joe Namath and Dick Allen actually became good friends—based on their competitions as schoolboys,” he said. Namath is a Beaver Falls High School graduate. “We were a small school. My graduating class only had 22 students. But we were talented, lots of pride, heart—we could flat-out play,” he said.
After oldest brother Coy Jr. returned from the war, he owned Allen Real Estate on Anaheim Street in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. As a youngster, Hank Allen said his favorite team was the Brooklyn Dodgers based on Jackie Robinson’s entry to the league as the first Black player in April 1947. “Jackie and all the other Blacks on the Dodgers were our favorites,” he said. Hank Allen says his older brother would drive from Pittsburgh and take the younger brothers to Forbes Field to see Jackie and the Dodgers. In addition to Coy Jr., the brothers also included Caesar, Hank, Dick and Ronnie. All five of the brothers were outstanding high school athletes, said Hank Allen. Ronnie also played in the Phillies organization.
Thanks to their father, the Allen brothers were also exposed to horses as youngsters in rural Chewton. Dick and Hank’s affinity for the equestrian trade is the stuff of legend. In 1989, Hank Allen became the first African American trainer in 78 years to run a horse in thoroughbred racing’s most storied event, the Kentucky Derby, when Northern Wolf finished sixth behind Hall of Famer Sunday Silence, according to a Baltimore Sun article.
“My father was always involved in horses as a kid in Virginia, and he taught us to appreciate them,” explained Hank Allen.
Though the Pirates were never his favorite team, Hank Allen vividly recalls rubbing shoulders with Bucco greats like Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell. “I got to be very good friends with Clemente later in life. He was a very humble man, and so was Stargell. After leaving baseball, it’s like a fraternity—there’s a certain bond amongst the players once you’ve achieved a certain level,” Hank Allen revealed. During his playing career, Hank says he was fortunate to play for three of the game’s finest managers, Gil Hodges, Ted Williams and Chuck Tanner.
Concerning his future in the sport and possible retirement, Hank Allen quickly responded, “I’ll probably continue doing this while it’s still enjoyable to me. I enjoy the environment, I still love baseball, it keeps me young. I’ll stick around as long as I know I’m contributing to the team.”
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