Neil Allen : The Man Traded to Land Keith Hernandez (1979-1983)

Neil Patrick Allen was born January 24, 1958 in Kansas City, Kansas. He was selected by the Mets in the 11th round of the 1976 draft. He made his debut in 1979 and lost his first five decisions before eventually going to the bull pen and finding his home. From there on in he had four wins & five saves before taking another loss in mid August. He would finish up 6-10 with 8 saves, second on the team to Skip Lockwood.

The next season had a good May saving five games and earning two victories. He would save 22 games, 4th in the NL for 1980. In the 1981 strike shortened season, he saved 18 games (3rd best) and posted a 2.97 ERA, becoming one the league’s best closers of the day. Imagine a time when the Mets had Allen and another young reliever named Jeff Reardon who would also become one of the league’s best. The Expos were willing to trade star outfielder Ellis Valentine but wanted one of the Mets relievers, they gave up Reardon.

He started out 1982 with a good May earning 8 saves and a 1-1 record. After saving 19 games with a 3-7 record and a 3.06 ERA, the Mets converted him back to a starter for 1983. He went 2-7 with an ERA over four into June, but was still considered a good young pitcher with a great future. On the trade deadline of 1983, he was sent to the World Champion Cardinals along with Rick Ownbey for All Star Keith Hernandez. What a deal for Mets, one of their best.

Allen went 10-6 the rest of the year for St. Louis and 9-6 the next. He was put in the bullpen in 1985 but wasn’t as effective as he was in the past. The Cardinal fans let him have it and he was traded to the AL New York team mid season 1985. Over the next three seasons he would bounce from the Bronx to the South Side of Chicago & pitch for the White Sox. His two best games came in 1986 against his old AL New York team mates pitching a four hitter & a two hit shutout. He went 7-2 that year with a 3.82 ERA. He finished his playing career in 1989 with Cleveland going 0-1. In his 11 year career he saved 75 games with a 58-70 record and a 3.83 ERA in 434 games.

Since his playing days Allen has been a pitching coach in the minor leagues. He had a stint in Staten Island and taught Chien-Ming Wang his sinker ball. Allen currently coaches in the Rays organization.