Nick Allen

Born in 1888 in Norton, Artemus Ward “Nick” Allen begam his professional career in 1910 in the Kansas State League.

Allen progressed through three additional minor leagues until he signed with the Federal League’s Buffalo Buffeds in 1914.  A catcher, Allen was sold to the Chicago Cubs when the Federal League folded after the 1915 season.  He appeared briefly for the Cubs before going back to the minors for two years.

In 1917 Cincinnati bought his contract.  He was the backup catcher and played with the Reds from 1918-20.  He was on the roster but did not play in the famed 1919 World Series, which the Reds won and produced the Black Sox scandal.

In 1921, Allen was traded to the St. Paul Saints.  He took over as manager of the Saints in 1924 and won a pennant in his five seasons as manager.  He also managed the Tulsa Oilers to a Western League pennant in 1929.  Known as “Roarin’ Nick” because of his altercations with umpires, Allen claimed that he was being a showman for the fans.

Allen died of cancer in Illinois in 1939 at the age of 50.  He is buried in the Ninnescah Cemetery in Udall.

For more, read Nick Allen’s Society for American Baseball Research bio.