Earlier this month,
Allen Clendenin passed away at the age of 77. Clendenin pitched for two seasons in the Phillies organization.
Time wise, in the general vicinity, Topps Vault had posted a pair of images identified as Allen Clendenin.
Allen was the 7th of 9 siblings, among them Leonard "Itch" Clendenin. Leonard, two years younger than Allen, enjoyed a slightly longer career in the Phillies organization.
Both brothers were signed by the Phils on June 26, 1961, following the spring season at McKendree College, and both were assigned to the Elmira Pioneers. That winter, Leonard was added to the 40-man roster and Allen was not.
Allen only pitched one more season, with the Miami Marlins in 1962. Leonard continued to attend spring training with the Phils, whether he was on the 40-man or not, until shoulder trouble ended his pro career.
Now... First, are the Vault images identified by Topps as Allen Clendenin actually images of Leonard Clendenin? They look to me like the same guy. But, then again, they were brothers and would likely share features. The images identified as Allen are given a 1961 date, as are some earlier Vault images of Leonard. On the one hand, this seems unlikely since the brothers weren't signed until the middle of the '61 season (so they would not have been in Spring Training that year). On the other hand, being as brothers signed on the same day is "good copy", is it possible Topps (or a freelancer) set up a shot for the two when they signed? I score that as unlikely...but possible. Yes, I know that Topps years are, um, problematic. As an aside, Allen played his baseball under his middle name, "Carter". Just a bit of relatively useless trivia.
Next, on assorted occasions, I have tried to notify B-R and/or necrology groups when I come across an obit that they've missed. I'm not a member of any of the groups, though I have requested such for the simple purpose of getting the deaths recognized. Nothing. And, really, I don't care. I'm not looking to be particularly active or anything. I just hate seeing players who are deceased racking up the years on B-R.
Allen's death was noted immediately. But it says right in Allen's obit that he was pre-deceased by Leonard who, according to B-R, is alive and 75. Leonard passed in 2000.
Here is his obit. If anyone has any association with these folks, please tell them that Leonard is dead--long time (admittedly, the obit does not appear in a google search for "Leonard Clendenin", but it does turn up in a google search for "Itch Clendenin").
While you're at it, tell them that
Don Trolliet (who played in the Mets system from 1962-1965) passed away on January 27, 2015.
Here is his obit.
As another aside... Although B-R shows Leonard as playing his entire career in the Phillies system, I did come across a
newspaper article from May 1966, that says he was property of the California Angels at that time. I'm wondering if he was returned because he failed his physical or something, being as Leonard's career was ended by shoulder trouble. The relevant portion reads thusly:
"The [El Paso Sun] Kings also have a new pitcher, Leonard Clendenin, a 6-5 right hander whom the California Angels obtained from the Philadelphia Phils organization. He had a 2-3 record for Chattanooga in the Southern League last year. Clendenin has been in organized baseball since 1961. Now on the inactive list he can’t be reinstated until May 12, which is Thursday."
Below are images identified by Topps as Allen Clendenin and Leonard Clendenin, respectively. The Leonard was previously posted by keonleafs
here, but, as this is for comparison purposes, I am reposting. If it matters to you, I previously posted Don Trolliet
here.