1981 Topps Neil Allen

 

The front: Allen delivers a pitch on a sunny afternoon at Shea Stadium.

The back: Allen was a highly-regarded high school quarterback in Kansas City, and planned to attend Kansas State on a football scholarship, until he was drafted by the Mets and given a large bonus.

The player: Neil Allen came up with the Mets in 1979 and quickly became the team's closer. He saved 69 games through June of 1983, when he was traded to the Cardinals. He later pitched for the White Sox, Yankees and Indians as a middle reliever and occasional starter. In 1988, with the Yankees, he relieved Al Leiter after Leiter was hit by a line drive for a single by the first batter of the game. He pitched nine shutout innings in the Yankees victory, earning the very rare distinction of a shutout without a complete game. Overall, in 434 games (59 starts), he went 58-70 with 75 saves and a 3.88 ERA.

The man: Allen had a long career as a minor- and major-league pitching coach. He struggled with alcoholism throughout his playing and coaching career, most notably with a DUI arrest in 2016, while he was the Twins pitching coach. He retired from coaching after the 2017 season.

My collection: I have 37 of his cards, from 1980 to 1990. I would be interested in trading for 1983 Fleer Star Stickers #236.