Dana Allison

Dana Eric Allison (born August 14, 1966) is a retired professional baseball player whose playing career spanned six seasons, including a part of one in Major League Baseball with the Oakland Athletics (1991). Allison was a pitcher over his career. During his time in the majors, Allison went 1–1 with a 7.39 earned run average (ERA) and four strikeouts in 11 games, all in relief. He also played in the minor leagues with the Class-A Short Season Southern Oregon A's (1989), the Class-A Madison Muskies (1989), the Class-A Advanced Modesto A's (1990), the Double-A Huntsville Stars (1990, 1992–1993) and the Triple-A Tacoma Tigers (1990–1994). Before playing professionally, Allison was a member of the James Madison Dukes baseball team while attending James Madison University.

Allison attended Warren County High School in Front Royal, Virginia.^[1] After high school, Allison enrolled at James Madison University where he played baseball with the school's team.^[1] Allison attended James Madison from 1986 to 1989.^[2] During the 14^th round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft, the Los Angeles Dodgers selected Allison, but he was not signed by the club and instead returned to school.^[3] In the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft, Allison was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 21^st round and later signed a professional contract with them.^[4]

During his time at James Madison, Allison was named the Colonial Athletic Association (CCA) Player of the Year and All-American in 1988; was a two-time All-CCA selection; and is in the top-five for career wins (25), complete games (23) and strikeouts in James Madison Dukes history.^[5] As a part of the 25^th anniversary of the CCA, they released a "Silver Anniversary Team" for baseball featuring Allison and other players who have had a significant contribution to CCA baseball over its history.^[6] In 1991, after making his major league debut, Allison became the second attendee of James Madison University to do so (behind Billy Sample in 1978).^[7]

After being selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft, Allison was assigned to the Class-A Short Season Southern Oregon A's. With Southern Oregon, Allison pitched in 11 games and went 0–2 with a 1.84 earned run average (ERA). Later during the 1989 season, Allison was called up to the Class-A Madison Muskies, where he went 2–3 with a 1.12 ERA in 13 games, all in relief. In 1990, Allison played for their team; the Class-A Advanced Modesto A's, the Double-A Huntsville Stars and the Triple-A Tacoma Tigers. With Modesto, Allison went without a decision while compiling a 2.33 ERA and four saves in 10 games, all in relief. Allison played 35 games at the Double-A level that season and went 7–1 with a 2.39 ERA and two saves. Finally, at the Triple-A level that season, Allison pitched in two games giving-up no runs.

Before the 1990 season, Allison re-signed a minor league contract with the Athletics.^[8] He attended spring training with the Athletics that season.^[9] Allison's contract was purchased by the Athletics on April 9, meaning he had been called up to play in Major League Baseball.^[10] He made his major league debut on April 12, against the Seattle Mariners, pitching 1⁄3 of an inning, walking one and giving-up no runs.^[11] Allison's first win came on April 14 against the Mariners, pitching one inning, giving-up no runs.^[11] In the majors that season, Allison went 1–1 with a 7.36 ERA and four strikeouts in 11 games, all in relief. On May 28, Allison was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma after the Athletics activated pitcher Dave Stewart.^[12] Allison spent the rest of the 1991 season with Tacoma, going 3–1 with a 4.37 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 18 games, all in relief.

Allison spent the 1992 season with the Double-A Huntsville Stars and the Triple-A Tacoma Tigers. With the Stars, he went 4–1 with a 2.93 ERA, one save and 40 strikeouts in 22 games, six starts. During his time in Tacoma that season, Allison went 2–3 with a 4.84 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 19 games, four starts. Allison spent his final season as a player in professional baseball in 1994. He played with the Triple-A Tacoma Tigers that season, going 10–8 with a 5.78 ERA, two complete games, two shutouts and 60 strikeouts in 33 games, 21 starts. Allison led all Tacoma pitchers in wins.^[13]

Allison is the son of Calvin Coolidge Allison Jr. (b. 1943) and his wife, Nina Eloise (née Smith, b. 1944). Aside from his father and grandfather being named after a President of the United States, his 2nd great-uncle Grover Cleveland Glascock is as well.

His fifth cousin three times removed is former Major League player Jack Glasscock.

General references

1. "Dana Allison Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
2. "Dana Allison Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved August 20, 2010.

Inline citations

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)