Neil Allen – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Neil Allen put together an 11-year run in Major League Baseball from 1979 to 1989, bouncing around five different teams. He suited up for the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and Cleveland Indians.

The right-handed pitcher wrapped up his pro career in 1989 with the Cleveland Indians. He finished with 58 wins, 75 saves, and 611 strikeouts across 434 games.

Allen’s baseball story started in Kansas City, Kansas. He learned his signature curveball from his legally blind father, who showed him the grip that would become his best pitch.

He actually got recruited as a football quarterback at first. But everything changed in his senior year of high school when scouts saw him pitch, and the New York Mets picked him in the 11th round of the 1976 amateur draft.

Allen’s career had its share of ups and downs. He spent three strong seasons as the Mets’ closer in the early ‘80s, and he was part of one of the team’s biggest trades when they sent him to St. Louis for Keith Hernandez in 1983.

After a winding journey through baseball’s highs and lows, Allen played his final season with Cleveland. He then moved on to a successful post-playing career as a pitching coach.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Neil Patrick Allen grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, born on January 24, 1958. His path from high school quarterback to professional pitcher took shape thanks to family support, some athletic talent, and one big decision that changed everything.

Childhood and Background

Neil was the youngest of four boys, born to Robert “Bob” Allen and Betty Rae Allen. His dad worked as an elevator mechanic, and his mom, Betty, worked for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers based in their hometown.

When Neil was two, his father got diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, which made him legally blind. Despite that, Bob Allen stayed closely involved in Neil’s athletic life, especially baseball.

Bob’s passion for the game shaped Neil as a pitcher. “I wasn’t very old when he taught me how to grip a curveball,” Neil said. “That turned out to be my best pitch.”

Bob would sit in the dugout during games and help coach, even though he couldn’t see. He relied on his hearing to guide Neil. “He couldn’t see, but he could hear,” Neil remembered. “If he wasn’t hearing the ball hit the catcher’s mitt on time, he would shout, ‘Tempo’ to me.”

High School Achievements

At Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Allen first made a name for himself as a quarterback on the football team. His strong right arm made him stand out in both sports, but football seemed like his main thing for a while.

During his senior year in 1976, Allen became one of the starting pitchers on his school’s baseball team. The big turning point came in a game against Van Horn High School.

He faced off against Terry Sutcliffe, the younger brother of future big leaguer Rick Sutcliffe. “There were a bunch of scouts there to watch Sutcliffe, and I beat him 1-0,” Allen said. “All of a sudden, our phone started ringing, with teams saying they were interested in drafting me.”

That game put Allen on the radar for professional scouts, even though they’d come to see his opponent. The win showed off Allen’s pitching at just the right moment.

Path to Professional Baseball

Even with new baseball interest, Allen stuck with football at first and planned to go to Kansas State University on a football scholarship. But his dad stepped in and changed his mind.

Bob Allen told him, “Neil, you’re not a rocket scientist and you don’t have the discipline to sit down and do the academic work. Plus, if you play football and get beat up and have your shoulder ruined, then you don’t have either, football or baseball.”

The New York Mets picked Allen in the 11th round of the 1976 amateur draft. They offered him a $6,000 signing bonus.

“The Mets gave me $6,000; about $4,000 after taxes,” Allen said. “Man, I thought I was Hugh Hefner. I went out and bought a 1976 Grand Prix with a T-top.”

Choosing baseball over football sent Allen down the path that led to his 11-year Major League career. It was a big risk, but one that focused on his long-term future in sports.

MLB Debut and Rise with the New York Mets

Neil Allen’s journey from Kansas high school prospect to major league closer really took off when the New York Mets drafted him in 1976. His early career was all about shifting from a struggling starter to a dominant reliever, and that’s what made him one of the National League’s top closers in the early ‘80s.

Draft and Signing with the Mets

The Mets chose Neil Allen in the 11th round of the 1976 amateur draft, 253rd overall. He had just finished his senior year at Bishop Ward High School, where he’d been a standout quarterback and planned to play football at Kansas State.

Everything changed for Allen during a spring 1976 high school game. He pitched against Terry Sutcliffe of Van Horn High School and won 1-0. “There were a bunch of scouts there to watch Sutcliffe, and I beat him 1-0,” Allen said. “All of a sudden, our phone started ringing, with teams saying they were interested in drafting me.”

The Mets offered him $6,000 to sign. “The Mets gave me $6,000; about $4,000 after taxes. Man, I thought I was Hugh Hefner. I went out and bought a 1976 Grand Prix with a T-top,” he said.

His dad’s advice made the difference. Bob Allen told him, “Neil, you’re not a rocket scientist and you don’t have the discipline to sit down and do the academic work. Plus, if you play football and get beat up and have your shoulder ruined, then you don’t have either, football or baseball.”

Major League Debut in 1979

Allen debuted in the majors on April 15, 1979, starting against the Philadelphia Phillies at age 21. He pitched six innings, struck out just one, and took a 6-3 loss. That was the start of a rough stretch as a starter.

The Mets’ tight budget led to Allen’s quick jump to the big leagues. Beat writer Jack Lang said that GM Joe McDonald “shoved Neil Allen, Mike Scott and Jesse Orosco down Torre’s throat. They just weren’t ready this year.”

Allen went 0-4 as a starter that season. During those tough times, Herb Norman, the Mets’ equipment manager, would comfort Allen at his locker after rough outings.

An injury ended up keeping Allen in the majors. When he returned and Skip Lockwood got hurt, manager Joe Torre moved Allen to the bullpen. “I got thrown into the fire right away and I loved it,” Allen said.

Early Performances and Breakout Years

Switching to relief changed Allen’s career. He won his first four decisions out of the bullpen. His first big league win came on May 20, 1979, when he pitched 1⅔ innings of relief in an 8-7 Mets win over Philadelphia.

Allen picked up his first save on July 28, 1979, closing out the final 2⅓ innings of a 6-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. He ended the season with eight saves and took over as the Mets’ closer.

Allen’s Early Career Stats:

• 1979: 8 saves, 27 games finished
• 1980: 22 saves, 59 appearances (career high)
• 1981: 18 saves, 3rd in the National League
• 1982: 19 saves, 6th in the National League

Catcher John Stearns liked what he saw in Allen back in 1980: “Neil Allen has a major league fastball and one of the top curves in the business. He is getting more experience. His confidence improves all the time. The sky is the limit for this guy.”

Allen’s curveball, taught by his legally blind father, became his signature. “I wasn’t very old when he taught me how to grip a curveball,” Allen said. “That turned out to be my best pitch.”

The Mets showed their faith in Allen by trading away Jeff Reardon in May 1981. Allen ended up among the National League’s top closers during a time that featured Hall of Famers Bruce Sutter and Rollie Fingers.

Career Highlights and Team Contributions

Neil Allen made his mark across several teams, but his biggest impact came from adapting to new roles and delivering in key moments. With the Cardinals, he showed he could start and relieve, and with the Yankees, he handled pressure situations when the team needed him most.

Time with St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals traded for Allen on June 15, 1983, sending Keith Hernandez to the Mets in a deal that also included Rick Ownbey. St. Louis saw Allen as a valuable addition to their pitching staff.

Manager Whitey Herzog put Allen straight into the starting rotation. Allen’s debut against his former team at Shea Stadium on June 21 was a gem—he threw eight scoreless innings and got the win.

1983 with the Cardinals:

• 10-6 record as a starter
• 18 starts
• 4 complete games

Switching from closer to starter worked out for Allen at first. He said he hoped the trade would help him “get things turned around” after a tough stretch earlier that year.

Herzog moved Allen back to the bullpen in 1984 to work with Bruce Sutter. Allen pitched in 57 games, started just once, and posted a 3.55 ERA with three saves.

His Cardinals run ended in 1985 when he struggled with a 5.59 ERA. The team sold his contract to the Yankees on July 16, 1985.

Key Years with New York Yankees

Allen’s time with the Yankees included multiple stints, starting in July 1985 when Billy Martin asked for him specifically. Martin liked Allen’s “live arm” and thought he could help during the team’s playoff push.

1985 Yankees:

• 17 games pitched
• 1-0 record
• 2.76 ERA
• 1 save

His best Yankees moment came on May 31, 1988, in a wild relief outing. After Al Leiter left the game after just one pitch, Allen came in and retired the first 19 batters he faced.

That game showed Allen’s knack for stepping up in tough spots. He finished the 1988 season with a 5-3 record and a 3.84 ERA in 41 games, including two starts.

The Yankees gave Allen some stability late in his career, using his experience in whatever pitching role they needed.

Chicago White Sox Period

Allen’s time with the White Sox brought his career back to life, especially in 1986. Chicago traded for him in February 1986, along with Scott Bradley and Glen Braxton.

The White Sox moved Allen back into the starting rotation, and things clicked. He credited a new changeup for his improvement, saying it made him more than just a two-pitch guy.

1986 White Sox Stats:

• 7-2 record
• 3.82 ERA
• 22 games (17 starts)

Allen got his first win of the year against Ron Guidry at Yankee Stadium on May 15, giving up just one earned run over seven innings. Manager Jim Fregosi said Allen was “finding out how to pitch to spots and change speeds.”

Unfortunately, Allen tore a forearm muscle in late July 1986 and missed the rest of the season. The 1987 season didn’t go well—shoulder problems and a pulled hamstring put him on the disabled list twice.

The White Sox released Allen on August 29, 1987, after he went 0-7 with a 7.07 ERA in 15 games.

Final Playing Years and Retirement in 1989

Neil Allen wrapped up his professional baseball career after 11 seasons in Major League Baseball. In 1989, he spent his final year with the Cleveland Indians.

He pitched in just three games that season before deciding to retire at age 31. That’s a surprisingly early exit, but sometimes the game just tells you it’s time.

Season with Cleveland Indians

Allen joined Cleveland for what would turn out to be his last season. By then, he’d bounced around a bit, playing with the Yankees and White Sox before landing with the Indians.

The 1989 season felt more like a footnote than a new chapter. He only saw action in three games during the regular season.

That was a big drop from his earlier years, when he contributed regularly to team rosters. Cleveland became the fifth and last stop in a journey that started with the New York Mets back in 1979.

Decision to Retire

After the 1989 season, Allen decided to retire from professional baseball. He closed the book on an 11-year career that ran from 1979 to 1989.

Years of inconsistency and personal struggles pushed him toward this decision. Throughout his career, Allen battled alcoholism, which definitely impacted his performance.

His drinking issues became more obvious as he moved between teams. That final season in Cleveland, with so little playing time, probably made the decision to walk away a bit easier.

Legacy of On-Field Performance

Allen’s stats tell the story of a pitcher who showed both talent and turbulence. Over 434 games, he posted 58 wins and 70 losses in his 11-year run.

He really shined as a closer with the New York Mets in the early ’80s. Between 1980 and 1982, Allen collected 75 saves, ranking him among the top National League closers in those years.

He finished fourth in saves in 1980 and third in 1981. His career included frequent switches between starting and relieving, which couldn’t have been easy.

Despite the ups and downs, Allen’s love for the game stuck with him. That enthusiasm later fueled his coaching career, which kicked off in 1995.

Statistical Achievements and Player Profile

Neil Allen put together a solid 11-year career, finishing with a 58-70 record and a 3.88 ERA over 434 games from 1979 to 1989. He racked up 75 saves and 611 strikeouts while pitching for five teams, proving he could handle both starting and relief roles.

Pitching Records and Notable Stats

Allen’s best years came with the New York Mets from 1979 to 1983, where he mostly worked as a closer. His 1981 season really stands out: 18 saves and a 2.97 ERA in 43 games.

He logged 988.1 innings in his career, ending up with a 1.419 WHIP. In 1983 with St. Louis, after a mid-season trade, he put together a 10-6 record and a 3.70 ERA.

Allen’s versatility was clear in his numbers. He made 59 starts and finished 222 games, adapting to whatever role his team needed. With a strikeout rate of 5.6 per nine innings, he kept pace with the standards of his era.

Career Totals:

• Games: 434
• Wins: 58
• Losses: 70
• Saves: 75
• Strikeouts: 611
• ERA: 3.88

Awards and Honors

Allen never picked up any major individual awards during his MLB career. No All-Star selections or Cy Young votes, at least according to the records.

His best recognition came from being part of competitive Mets teams in the early ‘80s. Those teams helped push the franchise in a better direction.

Just sticking in the big leagues for 11 seasons across five organizations says something about his value. That’s not easy, and plenty of guys don’t last nearly that long.

Historical Rankings and Recognition

Allen’s stats put him among the solid middle-tier pitchers of his time. His 75 career saves gave him a respectable spot among closers in the 1980s, though he wasn’t at the very top.

Baseball reference sites and the Ultimate Mets Database keep his full record available. His years with the Mets, especially from 1979–1982, are still a notable part of their history during the rebuilding era.

Allen’s career WAR of 7.0 shows he gave above-replacement value throughout his career. He didn’t reach Hall of Fame status, but his reliability and long career earned him a place among the journeyman pitchers of the ‘80s.

His stats are still easy to find in modern baseball databases, so anyone can look up his contributions to the game.

Post-Retirement Endeavors and Personal Life

After hanging up his glove in 1989, Neil Patrick Allen moved into coaching. He spent over twenty years helping develop pitchers in several organizations.

His personal life had some rough patches, including overcoming alcoholism, but he managed to build a successful second act in baseball instruction.

Transition Away from Professional Baseball

Allen’s last playing days came with the Cleveland Indians in 1989, capping an 11-season MLB career. He finished with 58 wins, 75 saves, and a 3.88 ERA.

The transition wasn’t exactly smooth. Allen struggled with alcoholism throughout his playing days, which affected both his game and his relationships.

His marriage to Linda Rooney ended in divorce in the late 1980s. They had two kids together: Neil and Courtney.

Allen’s drinking problem had followed him since his early Mets years. He once said he just had “emotional problems,” but later admitted he was fighting alcohol dependency.

Later Involvement in Baseball

Allen started coaching in 1995, beginning with a short stint in independent league baseball. Soon after, he moved into the minor league system as a pitching instructor.

He worked with several major league organizations. Allen spent time in the Toronto Blue Jays system, then joined the New York Yankees.

The Yankees promoted him to bullpen coach in 2005. Later, he joined the Tampa Bay Rays in a coaching role.

Allen’s most high-profile job came with the Minnesota Twins, where he served as pitching coach from 2014 to 2017. His background as both a starter and reliever made him a valuable mentor for young pitchers.

Personal Insights and Legacy

Allen always kept his enthusiasm for baseball, even after some rough patches early in his career. He connected with players in a way that made him a genuinely effective instructor and mentor.

“I made my name in the bullpen, but my whole career was going downhill,” Allen once admitted about his playing days. That kind of honesty really shaped his approach as a coach.

He built his coaching philosophy on personal experience, having bounced between starting and relief roles himself. Allen knew just how tough it could be for pitchers to handle those mental shifts.

His legacy isn’t just about the 69 saves he racked up with the Mets, or being part of the Keith Hernandez trade. Honestly, his second act showed how former players can give back to baseball by teaching and developing others.

Growing up in Kansas, Allen went from a struggling player to a respected coach. His story says a lot about how perseverance and growth matter in professional sports.