Philip Allen’s Journey Helps Guide Logan Allen to Success
Credit: M.Kreg/EVT Sports
Logan spoke to me more in-depth about Philip and what he means to him. “Every time I come home, he is a blessing. He is just so happy. What little he can do, like sitting there and listen to the TV or playing with balls and such. He may be 30, and they say his brain isn’t fully functional, but he is one of the smartest kids I know, and one of the happiest human beings on this earth.”
Logan has no desire for people to feel sorry for him. He made that quite clear to me. He said he would not change a thing about his life. He told me, “I’m blessed to have lived the life I have, and if anything was different I wouldn’t be who I am today.” With that great understanding about not dwelling on the past, this young pitcher will grow rapidly through the Padres’ farm system. His stuff on the mound is excellent, but more importantly, his mental process is off the charts.
Philip has some quirks about him that make the family well aware when he is upset, happy or even mad. Logan tells me that, for some odd reason, Philip does not like hearing the “Star-Spangled Banner”. Whether in person or on TV, he hates hearing the National Anthem and stomps his feet and makes noise in displeasure. The family asks him why he doesn’t like the song, but he only shakes his head. Things like this are what make Philip, Philip. Logan understands that and he wouldn’t change a thing about his big brother.
He has, however, always wondered what Philip would say to him if he could communicate. “Oh man. I think about this quite often. What would he say to me? It’s tough to think about sometimes. When I walk through the door I wonder if he is thinking “Hey I missed you” or “Come here and give me a hug”. I really don’t know. There are a million things he could say to me. I like to think he would tell me to hurry and get to the big leagues.” Philip may be in hurry to see his younger brother in the big leagues, but Logan is content with the growing process. He knows that he is far ahead of most 19-year-old players in terms of big league aspirations.
Logan really does wish that his brother could watch him play. Philip’s health does not permit him to leave the state, so he hasn’t seen his brother play baseball since Logan’s Freshman year in High School. I asked him about that game, and if he had any recollection of it. ” He was only there for like 30 minutes because it was getting too cold for him. I don’t have a lot of memories of that. I was playing outfield at the time.”
Logan did tell me a touching story about when he was playing an all-star game in rec league. Philip was there, and it is a great family moment. “I remember playing a game and seeing my mom sitting up in the stands by Philip. She was coming off one of her back surgeries and was sitting in a walker-type seat. Somebody hit a foul ball and it headed their way. Philip is really fragile and nobody wanted him to get hit. My dad stepped in the way and made sure it didn’t get him, but my mom fell out of her walker-thing trying to protect Philip. She hurt her back even more, and I was on deck in tears watching this. She was trying to protect Philip and really hurt herself. I remember going up to the plate and just looking at my mom, and then looking at Philip. Then on the very next pitch I hit a home run and ran around the bases. I was pointing at my mom and at Philip and I rushed off to check on them. Oddly enough that is one of the things I remember most.” That epitomizes the family right there. Logan made a bad situation into a positive thing. That was an exciting moment in his life and it helped shape who he is as a man.
There is nothing that Logan enjoys doing more than spending time with his brothers. His 16-year-old brother Bryson fits in the equation as well, and you can be sure that the teenager is learning a lot from his two older brothers about being a man. While home for the holidays, Logan will spend much of his time next to his big brother, playing with him. “He is so happy, and so genuine. Having someone like that in the family makes you super excited to be around for the holidays. I love spending time with him. He’s just so awesome. The thoughts of coming home like this around Christmastime makes me so happy.” It is a great time of the year. A time for family, and rejoicing in what you have, not what you want.
Logan is pretty open about his brother’s condition and encourages people to ask him about it. A number of teammates have asked Logan about his brother and his condition. Zech Lemond and Jacob Nix are two of many that in particular have checked in on Logan and asked about Philip. He also told me that many within the Padres’ organization have kept in touch with him regarding his brother and the health of his mom. That is a great thing. These ball players are humans and have issues just like everyone else. Communication with each other will only make them better on the field.
Fans and players appreciate the fact that Logan is open and willing to talk about what his family is going through. He is active in the Miracle League of Central Minnesota, which gives children with disabilities a chance to play baseball. It’s a great organization that you can find more about here. Logan was introduced to this program through his time at the IMG Academy. He tells me that ever since he first volunteered, he was hooked. Having the opportunity to give back like this is what makes him happy. While participating in the program, Logan gets the opportunity to interact with people who have challenges, and that reminds him very much of his brother. “Going out there and volunteering with these kids is outstanding. They have their own cool little baseball field. All these kids and adults are just so happy out there doing what they love.” He was given an award by the group for his volunteering services this past year. He has touched the lives of many kids at the facility. He wishes he had more time to spend there, but he leads a hectic lifestyle that will only get more busy as he develops through the Padres’ farm system. He hopes to one day sponsor a team of his own, and I have a feeling that will indeed happen. Just give him time. Remember, he is only 19.
Logan made many connections with the kids at the Miracle League of Central Minnesota, but there was one in particular he bonded with. His name is Drake and he is seven or eight. The young boy is confined to a wheelchair and can’t use his legs. Logan told me a little bit about him and what he tries to do for these kids to make their lives a little happier. “Drake is just as happy as can be. Always smiling. He had this small glove since he was younger, so I wound up going to the store and buying a few gloves to bring to him and few other kids. Just seeing how happy they were was amazing.” Logan is that type of man. There was no press coverage of this event or this deed, nor should there be. He did this because it was right, because it made him feel good, and because more importantly, it made the day of some young child who doesn’t have the advantages that we all take for granted. Stuff like this is what makes Logan Allen a great man. What he does on the baseball field is irrelevant.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.