Dick Nen

Richard Le Roy Nen

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2", Weight 205 lb.
• School California State University, Long Beach
• High School Phineas Banning High School
• Debut September 18, 1963
• Final Game June 28, 1970
• Born September 24, 1939 in South Gate, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Dick Nen, as a 23-year-old rookie, hit a key home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1963 pennant race. Most of his six-year career was spent with the Washington Senators as a first baseman.

It was the second dead-ball era, and when Nen hit .218 in 1967, he was close to the team batting average of .223. While with the Senators, he was managed by Gil Hodges and Ted Williams.

Nen is listed as the regular first baseman with the Senators in 1965, but not in 1966 or 1967 when he had more appearances. In 1966 he actually appeared in more games at first than Ken Harrelson, but Harrelson had more innings. In 1967 he was in 110 games total, but only 65 of them were at first base.

With the Chicago Cubs in 1968, he backed up the 37-year-old Ernie Banks at first base.

He is the father of Robb Nen.

During nine seasons in the minors, he hit over 100 home runs with a batting average of .291. In his last year in the minors, he was a teammate of the 21-year-old Jeff Burroughs, who would win the American League MVP Award two years later.

Dick dominated the California League in 1961, hitting .351 with 32 homers and 144 RBI. Both his home run total and his RBI total led the league, as did his 34 doubles (tied with teammate Louis Ertle).

He was the first player from Cal State Long Beach to make the majors. Since then, 32 others have done so.