Dick Allen Baseball Card Project: 1966

I am not going to touch this one, because the 1966 Topps Dick Allen card is a thing of beauty just the way it is. This picture perfectly captures the ongoing transformation of DA from a young rookie to a strong and self confident man. You need to keep in mind that Allen's arms looked like this without the benefit of scientific weight training, muscle-building dietary supplements, and anabolic steroids.

Every time I see this photo, I can't help thinking that DA is looking off at his loud mouthed racist teammate Frank Thomas punking Johnny Briggs outside the batting cage causing DA to seethe in anger. It was heartwarming to hear Dick Allen tell Bob Costas on the MLB Network this year that he and Frank Thomas are now good friends.