Rookie of the Year: Bob Allison, 1959

Outfielder, Washington Senators

Age:  25 (July 11)

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’3”    Weight: 205

Prior to 1959:

Allison, a Missouri native, went to the Univ. of Kansas on a football scholarship, but made more of an impression as a baseball outfielder, signing with the Senators in 1955. He batted .256 with Hagerstown of the Class B Piedmont League in ’55 while hitting only five home runs. The batting average dropped to .233 with Charlotte of the Class A South Atlantic League in 1956 with 12 home runs. He drew more attention for his play in center field than with his bat as he moved on to Chattanooga of the Class AA Southern Association in 1957, where he hit .246 and tied for the league lead with 11 triples while belting only two home runs. Back with Chattanooga in 1958, Allison’s batting average rose to .307 and he hit 9 home runs with 93 RBIs. He earned a September call-up to the Senators and hit .200 in 11 games. After a fine stint in the Cuban Winter League Allison came to spring training ready to compete for the starting center field job, thanks to his good range and throwing arm. The line drive hitter was able to significantly exceed expectations with his bat.  

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in 150 games

CF – 134, RF – 9, LF – 7

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 638 [11]

At Bats – 570 [6, tied with Minnie Minoso]

Runs – 83 [14]

Hits – 149 [12]

Doubles – 18

Triples – 9 [1]

Home Runs – 30 [6]

RBI – 85 [11]

Bases on Balls – 60 [15]

Int. BB – 1

Strikeouts – 92 [6]

Stolen Bases – 13 [5]

Caught Stealing – 8 [5]

Average - .261

OBP - .333

Slugging Pct. - .482 [8]

Total Bases – 275 [5]

GDP – 22 [2]

Hit by Pitches – 2

Sac Hits – 5

Sac Flies – 2

League-leading triples were +1 ahead of runner-up Gil McDougald

Midseason snapshot: HR - 21, RBI - 53, AVG - .288, SLG PCT - .557

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Most hits, game – 5 (in 5 AB) at Detroit 6/5

Longest hitting streak – 12 games

Most HR, game – 2 (in 5 AB) at Detroit 6/5, (in 4 AB) vs. Chi. White Sox 6/9

HR at home – 17

HR on road – 13

Multi-HR games – 2

Most RBIs, game – 4 at Chi. White Sox 5/6, at Detroit 6/5

Pinch-hitting – 0 of 1 (.000) with 1 RBI

Fielding

Chances – 350

Put Outs – 333

Assists – 8

Errors – 9

DP – 1

Pct. - .974

Awards & Honors:

AL Rookie of the Year: BBWAA

All-Star

28^th in AL MVP voting, tied with Gerry Staley, Chi. WS (1 point, 0% share)

AL ROY Voting:

Bob Allison, Wash.: 18 of 24 votes, 75% share

Jim Perry, Clev.: 5 – 5 votes, 21% share

Russ Snyder, KCA: 1 vote, 4% share

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Senators went 61-93 to finish eighth in the AL, their third consecutive last-place finish, 31 games behind the pennant-winning Chicago White Sox while placing last in the league in hits (1205) and first in batter strikeouts (881), but second in home runs (163).

Aftermath of ‘59:

Allison was installed in right field in 1960 and a major slump that negated a strong start dropped his season totals to 15 home runs, 69 RBIs, and a .251 batting average. He moved with the franchise to Minnesota in 1961 and had a better year, hitting 29 home runs and compiling 105 RBIs with a .245 batting average. His all-out style of play both in the outfield and running the bases, where he was particularly adroit at breaking up double plays, made him popular with the fans and media. Injuries hindered Allison’s performance in 1962 but he recovered enough to put together another strong season with 29 home runs, 102 RBIs, and a .266 average. He was named an All-Star in each of the next two seasons and led the AL with 99 runs scored in 1963 in addition to slugging a career-high 35 home runs with 91 RBIs and a .271 batting average. In 1964 he appeared at all three outfield positions (but primarily in center and left to accomodate the arrival of star rookie Tony Oliva in right field) as well as first base and he had another good year at the plate by batting .287 with 32 home runs and 86 RBIs. The Twins won the AL pennant in 1965 and Allison played primarily in left field and had a lesser year at the plate due to a wrist injury, ending up with 23 home runs, 78 RBIs and a .233 batting average. In the World Series against the Dodgers, he made an outstanding backhanded sliding catch of a line drive by LA’s Jim Lefebvre that helped Minnesota to win the second game. Dodger pitching dominated the Series and LA won in seven games. Allison, still a vocal and valued leader on the Twins, showed major signs of wear in 1966, as he lost his starting job in left field to Sandy Valdespino, who had platooned with him during ’65. He hit only 8 home runs with 19 RBIs and a .220 average while appearing in 70 games. His performance perked up in 1967 and ’68 as he regained his spot in the lineup. Following a lesser season as a role player in 1969, Allison was waived during spring training in ’70, but he was retained by the Twins and retired following the season. In a career spent entirely with the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins franchise, Allison batted .255 with 256 home runs and 796 RBIs. He was a two-time All-Star.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were recipients of the Rookie of the Year Award by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (1947 to present). The award was presented to a single major league winner from its inception through 1948 and from 1949 on to one recipient from each major league.