CINCINNATI (AP) When John Allen was handed control of the Cincinnati Reds in 1996, suspended owner Marge Schott referred to him as her bookkeeper. In short time, he proved he wouldn't be her caretaker.
Overnight, Allen went from anonymous controller to the most powerful person in baseball's first professional franchise, guiding it through some of its darkest times. He took the team in a different direction, restored ties with fans and rebuilt a farm system that had been ignored.
Later, under new ownership, he presided over the construction of Great American Ball Park, which opened in 2003. (Full Story)