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

Lloyd Allen stands out in baseball history as the first player born in the 1950s to play in a Major League Baseball game. This right-handed pitcher from Merced, California, made his debut with the California Angels on September 1, 1969, when he was just 19. That day kicked off a six-year MLB career that took him to three different teams.

Allen wrapped up his professional career in 1975, pitching his last game for the Chicago White Sox on July 27. His journey took him from a hyped young prospect to a reliable relief pitcher. Sure, his stats show an 8-25 win-loss record and a 4.69 ERA over 159 games, but there’s more to Allen’s story. He rose quickly through the California Angels system and fought through arm injuries that eventually cut his career short.

From his days at Selma High School in California, through his conversion to Judaism, and finally to his retirement because of persistent arm problems, Allen’s journey gives a real look at the ups and downs of chasing a big-league dream. His story shows what life was like for a pitcher in the early 1970s—trades, team switches, and the physical grind that comes with America’s pastime.

Early Life and Education

Lloyd Cecil Allen was born on May 8, 1950, in Merced, California. He started playing ball in Selma, where he honed his baseball skills in high school before moving up to junior college baseball.

Family Background

Lloyd grew up in a family that cared about both sports and education. His dad worked hard to support them and pushed Lloyd to chase his baseball dreams from early on.

The Allens lived in Selma, California, while Lloyd was growing up. This Central Valley town gave young athletes a chance to develop their talents.

Lloyd’s family had ties to local sports. Coach Allen Cropsey, who guided him during his development, later joined the 2009 inaugural class of the Selma Athletic Hall of Fame.

Having his family behind him made a big difference as Lloyd chased his baseball ambitions. They encouraged him to play organized baseball as a kid, laying the groundwork for his pro career.

Selma High School Years

Lloyd went to Selma High School and quickly made a name for himself as a top baseball player. He played on four straight Central Section Valley championship teams, from his freshman year through his senior season.

That run of championships showed off Lloyd’s talent and the strength of Selma’s baseball program. The Central Section Valley tournaments were tough and brought out the best high school players in the area.

During those years, Lloyd sharpened his pitching skills with help from experienced coaches. His performances on those winning teams caught the eyes of college scouts and pro teams.

Winning so often at Selma High gave Lloyd a taste of pressure situations. That experience would help him later as he moved up to professional baseball.

Fresno City College Experience

After high school, Lloyd kept playing at Fresno City College. California’s junior college baseball scene gave a lot of future pros their start.

At Fresno City, Lloyd worked on his pitching while keeping up with his classes. The competition there was tougher than in high school, and it helped prepare him for pro ball.

College helped Lloyd grow as both a player and a person. He learned discipline and work ethic, things he’d need in the pros, while still getting his education.

His time at Fresno City College led to a contract with the California Angels. That mix of high school success and junior college growth made him a hot prospect for pro scouts.

Path to the Major Leagues

Lloyd Allen’s path to the majors started when the California Angels picked him in the 1968 amateur draft. After a short stint in the minors, he made his MLB debut in 1969 at just 19.

1968 Amateur Draft Selection

The California Angels grabbed Lloyd Allen with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 1968 draft. That high pick showed their faith in his potential as a pitcher.

Allen had built his skills at Selma High in California and spent time at Fresno City College before entering the draft.

The Angels picked Allen early because they saw him as a key part of their pitching future. His right-handed style and strong arm stood out to scouts.

Getting picked in the first round put a lot of pressure on Allen. The Angels wanted him to anchor their rotation or bullpen for years to come.

Minor League Development

Allen spent his first pro season in 1968 with San Jose in the California League. That assignment let him ease into pro baseball while staying close to home.

He didn’t stay in the minors long, but those games mattered for his development. He faced pro hitters and worked on his mechanics with Angels coaches.

That California League season was a stepping stone to the big leagues. Allen impressed enough to earn a quick call-up.

The Angels moved Allen through their system faster than most. His minor league numbers convinced team officials he was ready for the big show.

Major League Debut

Allen made his MLB debut on September 1, 1969, for the California Angels. At 19, he was the youngest player in the American League that year.

He also made history as the first player born in the 1950s to play in a regular-season MLB game.

The Angels brought Allen up late in the ’69 season to give him a taste of the majors without the strain of a full year.

Jumping from high school to the big leagues in about a year was rare. Most players spend years in the minors before getting that shot.

That debut kicked off his seven-year major league career. Allen would play for the Angels, Texas Rangers, and Chicago White Sox.

MLB Career Overview

Lloyd Allen spent seven seasons in the majors from 1969 to 1975, bouncing between three American League teams. He started with the California Angels, got traded to the Texas Rangers, and finished with the Chicago White Sox. He made history as the first player born in the 1950s to play in a regular-season game.

California Angels Tenure

Allen started his pro career with the Angels after they took him in the first round of the 1968 draft. He made his major league debut in 1969 at just 19, making him the youngest player in the American League at the time.

His best year was 1971, when he posted a 2.49 ERA in 54 games. He mostly worked as a reliever that season, saving 15 games and finishing 28.

During his time with the Angels, Allen showed flashes as both a starter and a reliever. He went 8-15 over five seasons in California.

Control was always an issue for him. Even in his strong 1971 season, he walked 40 batters in 94 innings, and wildness followed him throughout his career.

Texas Rangers Period

The Angels traded Allen to the Texas Rangers in May 1973, along with Jim Spencer. In return, the Angels got Mike Epstein, Rich Hand, and Rick Stelmaszek.

Things didn’t go well for Allen in Texas. He struggled a lot during the 1973 season, posting a 9.22 ERA in 23 games.

His control got even worse there. He walked 39 batters in just 41 innings, ending up with a 2.366 WHIP that made him nearly unusable.

The Rangers mostly used Allen out of the bullpen, though he started five games. His performance dropped off sharply from his Angels days.

Chicago White Sox Final Season

The Chicago White Sox picked up Allen on waivers from Texas in July 1974. This was his last shot to stick in the majors.

Allen didn’t really turn things around in Chicago. He pitched sparingly for the White Sox in both 1974 and 1975.

His last big league appearance came on July 27, 1975, against the Oakland Athletics. He lasted just two-thirds of an inning, giving up four hits and three earned runs.

The White Sox sold Allen to the St. Louis Cardinals in August 1975, but he never pitched in a game for them.

Retirement and Career End

Allen’s major league career ended after the 1975 season, when he was only 25. He finished with 8 wins and 22 losses in 156 games.

He posted a 4.54 ERA and struck out 192 batters in 292 innings. Control was still a problem—he walked 190 hitters over his career, which hurt his chances.

Despite his early promise and the unique distinction as the first 1950s-born player in MLB, Allen couldn’t get past his command issues. His career shows just how tough it is for young pitchers to find consistency in the majors.

The Cardinals let Allen go after acquiring him, and that was it for his pro baseball career.

Notable Accomplishments and Milestones

Lloyd Allen made history by being the first player born in the 1950s to play in the majors. His career included some big trades and one standout season as a reliever.

Youngest Player in the American League

Allen broke new ground when he debuted on September 1, 1969, with the California Angels. At 19, he became the first player born in the 1950s to appear in a regular-season game.

This was a big deal—a sign that teams were starting to give younger players a shot at the majors.

He was one of the youngest players in the American League that year. The Angels saw something in him and gave him a chance, even though he didn’t have much pro experience.

Significant Trades and Transactions

Allen’s career involved a few major trades that shaped his path. The Texas Rangers got him from the Angels in 1973 as they tried to build a competitive team.

The Rangers were looking for young pitching talent at the time. Allen joined other prospects as the franchise worked to make a name for itself after moving from Washington.

His last move came in 1974, when the Chicago White Sox picked him up. That was his final chance to prove himself as a reliable big-league pitcher before retiring in 1975.

Record-Setting Performances

Allen’s best year was 1971 with the Angels, when he put up a 2.49 ERA in 54 games. He saved 15 games and struck out 72 hitters in 94 innings.

His most memorable game came on July 16, 1971, against the Baltimore Orioles. Allen hit the only home run of his career off Dave Boswell, which ended up being the difference in a 5-4 Angels win.

He also notched the save that day, pitching the last 2⅔ innings. He gave up five hits and one earned run and struck out one to close out the victory.

Career Statistics and Legacy

Lloyd Allen played seven seasons in the majors, finishing with an 8-25 win–loss record and a 4.69 ERA in 159 games. He did his best work as a reliever, notching 22 saves and 194 strikeouts across three American League teams.

Win–Loss Record and ERA

Allen’s 8-25 win–loss record tells the story of a pitcher who faced plenty of challenges in the big leagues. His best season came in 1971 with the Angels, when he went 4-6 with a 2.49 ERA.

The pitcher’s 4.69 career ERA sums up his struggles, especially in his later years. After a strong start, his ERA jumped after 1972. The 1973 season was rough, with a 9.42 ERA over 28 games.

Allen’s numbers looked very different depending on the team. With the Angels (1969-1973), he kept a respectable 3.32 ERA. But with Texas and Chicago, his ERA soared over 8.00, showing just how much his control issues cost him.

Strikeouts and Saves

Allen racked up 194 strikeouts in his MLB career, which works out to about 5.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

He hit his highest strikeout rate in 1971, piling up 72 strikeouts in just 94 innings.

His 22 career saves really show how much teams leaned on him as a reliever.

Fifteen of those saves happened during his standout 1971 season with the Angels.

Allen took the mound in 75 games as a reliever, way more than his 19 starts.

He knew how to close out games, and that skill made him valuable even though his overall record wasn’t eye-popping.

Those saves? They probably meant more to his teams than any other stat he put up.

Retrosheet and Data Resources

Today, sites like Retrosheet let fans and analysts dig into Allen’s career in detail.

They track all 297.1 innings he pitched, plus advanced stats like his 1.638 WHIP.

Modern data lists Allen with a -1.9 career WAR, so he performed below the typical replacement level.

His FIP sits at 4.10, which suggests he pitched a bit better than his ERA might tell you.

These statistical databases keep Allen’s name alive in baseball history.

They record his place as the first MLB player born in the 1950s to play in a regular-season game.

Personal Life and Post-Baseball Career

After he left baseball, Allen went through a major religious conversion and moved away from pro sports.

He still holds the distinction of being the first player born in the 1950s to make it to Major League Baseball.

Conversion to Judaism

Lloyd Allen decided to convert to Judaism while he was with the California Angels.

That change brought him closer to Jimmie Reese, a Jewish former shortstop who once roomed with Babe Ruth during his Yankees days.

Allen and Reese shared their faith and connected on a level that went beyond the usual player-coach dynamic.

Their bond stood out in the Angels organization.

Allen’s Jewish identity became a small but memorable note in baseball history.

In 1973, the Angels traded him to the Texas Rangers in a five-player deal that also included Mike Epstein.

That trade? It’s the only time two Jewish players have been traded for each other in MLB history.

Life After Baseball

Allen retired in 1975 and stepped out of the pro baseball spotlight.

There’s not much public info about what he did after leaving the game.

He went to Selma High School in California and played varsity baseball from 1965 to 1968.

His coach, Allen Cropsey, later made it into the Selma Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.

That high school connection stuck with him.

During his playing years, Allen also spent time in winter ball.

He played for the Santurce Crabbers in the Puerto Rico Winter Baseball League during the 1972-73 season.

That experience added another chapter to his baseball journey.

Recognition in Sports History

Allen stands out in baseball history as the first player born in the 1950s to play in a major league game. He broke in on September 1, 1969, with the California Angels when he was just 19.

The Angels picked him 12th overall in the 1968 amateur draft, which really says a lot about his early talent. Back in high school, Allen actually played three sports before he decided to stick with baseball.

Baseball records still note the significance of his debut. Honestly, that moment felt like a generational shift in the sport.

Allen played from 1969 to 1975. He spent six seasons in Major League Baseball.