Chili Dog MVP was featured on National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum‘s Virtual Author Series with an interview with Bruce Markusen, John Owens and David Fletcher on October 13, 2022.
Owens and Fletcher discuss the impact of Allen, his White Sox teammates, and legendary broadcaster Harry Caray on the landscape of Chicago baseball.
Recorded in front of a live crowd at Blue Island Beer Company as the White Sox finished off the first half against the Twins. We sit down with the authors of “Chili Dog MVP: Dick Allen, The ’72 White Sox And A Transforming of Chicago.” Learn how a season not talked about enough by White Sox fans featured that year’s MLB attraction, a young Harry Caray, the inventor of walk-up music Nancy Faust & the resurgence of a team on the brink of leaving the south side. Enjoy a very fun end entertaining “30 Minutes of Sox!”
June 4, 1972, Game 1, White Sox 6, Yankees 1. A “Bat Day” crowd of more than 50,000 saw the Sox in control, but in the 8th inning the Sox pulled off a double steal and Allen stole home! Bill Melton started it by breaking for second, then hesitating as the throw went through. When he paused, Allen broke for the plate and scored sliding in.
“There was a renewed interest in the White Sox that year in Chicago after 4 straight losing seasons (1968 to 1971) with Dick Allen’s arrival and a winning record.”
Robert Masina
Dick Allen was on a tear that season. Also the last season before the introduction of the designated hitter into the American League in 1973.
MisterUptempo
The Chicago Baseball Museum is presenting classic interviews from the archives of CBM historian George Castle’s “Diamond Gems” syndicated weekly baseball radio show, which aired from 1994 to 2010.
All-time baseball announcer Harry Caray conducted interviews in spring training 1972 in Florida and early in the season in Chicago. Two superstars who’d go on to earn honors in ’72 are queried: the White Sox’s Dick Allen, the eventual American League MVP, and the Phillies’ Steve Carlton, the National League’s Cy Young Award winner.
>> Listen to the interview at ChicagoBaseballMuseum.org…
