Bernie Allen

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Bernard Keith Allen, born April 16, 1939, in East Liverpool, OH, USA, was a Major League Baseball player for the Minnesota Twins, Washington Senators, New York Yankees, and Montreal Expos. At 6' 0" and 185 lbs, Allen was a second-baseman for most of his career. During the last few years, he transitioned to third base.

Bernie played his college ball at Purdue University and was not drafted. He signed with the Twins before the 1961 season and played 80 games for Class A Charlotte. Then Bernie made the jump to the majors.

1 Major League Career
2 Highlights
3 Trivia
4 External links

[edit] Major League Career

Opening Day, April 10, 1962, Bernie Allen made his debut for Minnesota at second base. He was plugged into a position vacated by Billy Martin just a weak earlier. Allen had one hit (a triple) in four at-bats on opening day to launch what would be his best season as a major leaguer. His first season saw Bernie reach offensive totals he would not reach again. His rookie performance led to a selection to the 1962 Topps All-Star Rookie Roster.

Bernie played 5 seasons for the Twins and was traded to the Washington Senators. After 5 seasons in Washington, the Senators moved to Texas and moved Bernie to the Yankees. Allen played for the Yanks in 1972, backing up second and third base. He played 17 games for the Yankees in 1973 before being purchased by Montreal. The Expos released him two months later and Bernie's major league career was over.

[edit] Highlights

Bernie was intentionally walked 10 times his rookie season - good enough for fifth in the AL. From 1962 to 1963, only Jim Gentile, Norm Cash, and Clete Boyer were walked intentionally more than Bernie, who was free-passed 18 times over two seasons.
His 7 triples in 1962 placed him ninth in the league.
Traded to Washington before the 1967 season, Bernie had the opportunity to play for Gil Hodges. Two seasons later he was managed by Ted Williams and was able to play for the Splendid Splinter 3 of Williams 4 seasons as a manager.
As a teammate, Bernie came up in time to play next to Harmon Killebrew during the middle part of the slugger's career.
The closest Allen came to postseason play was his rookie season, when the Twins finished 2nd in the AL.