European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 26, 1968, Darmstadt, Hesse Spring training showed Richie he could still Cut at Ball. Up photo Allen spent anxious moments with doctors in therapy. Sports seen i i1m by Jack hand a staff writer he lights almost blinked out Richie Allen s baseball career summer the Date aur 5 a the Phillies night game with a Burgh had been rained out Pallen was tinkering Aroun flu a �1950 car in his Back Yard the he s was Down and he was tying t the ancient vehicle up a Slof 8?a front of his garage Liftin to null against the front bumper. G Allen was rushed to a Hospital where it was discovered that two i dons had been Cut and the ulnar nerve severed in his right hand and wrist prompt action stemmed the flow oxblood and removed danger of a fatal injury but immediate surgery was necessary. Allen wore a cast on the hand for months. There still Are Nasty Marks on the hand and wrist and practically no reeling in the fingers. If you think it looks bad now you should have seen it when they first took the cast off said Allen. The had to put two pins clean through the hand. I could t even stretch out this is the Young slugger from Wampum pa., who has been hailed As the next super Star of the National league. Although he is Only 26, they already Point with Awe to the Distant areas in league Parks where Richie h hit tape measure Home Allen missed 40 games last season he still led the club in six batting categories and finished second to Hank Aaron in slugging percentage .5g6 Taaron s .573. In 122 games he hit 23 homers drove in 77 runs and batted.307. Doubts haunted Allen through Thelong fall and Winter months. The muscular 5-foot-ll, 185-Pound slugger did t know if he Ever would hit an other Homer or throw another reports from the phils front office and cautious optimism fro the doctors at Temple University hos Pital encouraged Allen. But he still did t know what the future held. He still in t sure. All Winter i was really worried he said. I figured i would know if 1could hit the first time i tried to. He Day of decision for Allen Casein Early february. He had gone South Early before the rookies and pitchers,."there came a Day when i had w find out if i still could swing the Dai he said. I went Over to one of in Highway stands where they Nav pitching machine. Nine swings for cents. If you hit seven out of the Ca a you get a free shot. I was ally myself except for my jockey Joe Carlin. I hit the first p u and kept on hitting until i Korion the Palm of my hand. All along i figured i won id right if i could swing the Al 0knew it would Only be a Mau time before the rest Aiono. The stars and stripes Allen was moved to Utle Fin the Spring and he Al never since. Although we Phil regularly at third in Pra of r3ylotlies Don t consider his urn a v. Permanent duty there. My Circhie is throwing a Phoui too apparent trouble he was never for having a Rifle Arm. Disc fallen has already Vou ocl about his new Outfield Post. Like it out there in a Oul jew j want to get Back to thu quickly As i can he Allen s conic Back Ifim h very Well be the Best to y ",10681 season. At the moment lies on Points. Sunday May 26,
