The Great Depression was a time most people would rather forget, but it was also a period when Franklin County baseball fans cultivated fond memories of an overpowering southpaw pitcher named Stanley Allen.
Allen, now 78 and living in South Berwick, pitched five no-hitters during his career that peaked from 1925-34. The career, however, ended prematurely because of a knee injury.
Possessing a baffling curve and a wicked fastball, Allen once struck out 94 batters in 52 innings in his senior season at Strong High
School. He also pitched the first of his no-hitters that season when his earned run average was as skimpy as a burlesque queen’s outfit.
after high school Allen went to Kent’s Hill Academy where he was captain of the baseball team. He sparkled on the mound, losing only one game his initial season. Semi-pro baseball then beckoned Allen.
He overpowered opponents with his array of pitches and frustrated them further with pin-point control. He threw four no-hitters in semi-pro ball, pitching for numerous teams throughout Maine. Once Allen tossed a no-hitter on Saturday and came back to pitch a shutout on Monday. He owned a rubber arm, often pitching three games in a week —each time for a different ballclub. Allen, a legend in Franklin County, was always in popular demand by semi-pro ballclubs because he was best in important games.
That’s what made Allen so tough. He displayed ‘‘grace under pressure.
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