| Dana Allison | |
| Position: | Pitcher |
| Birth Date: | 14 August 1966 |
| Birth Place: | Front Royal, Virginia |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Left |
| Debutleague: | MLB |
| Debutdate: | April 12 |
| Debutyear: | 1991 |
| Debutteam: | Oakland Athletics |
| Finalleague: | MLB |
| Finaldate: | May 23 |
| Finalyear: | 1991 |
| Finalteam: | Oakland Athletics |
| Statleague: | MLB |
| Stat1label: | Win–loss record |
| Stat1value: | 1–1 |
| Stat2label: | Earned run average |
| Stat2value: | 7.39 |
| Stat3label: | Strikeouts |
| Stat3value: | 4 |
| Teams: | |
| Hoflink: | National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum |
| Hoftype: | National |
| Hoffuture: | (set to true if the player has been announced but not inducted) |
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. Allison attended James Madison from 1986 to 1989.[2] During the 14 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 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 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 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. 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.