Dave Collins
Encyclopedia
David S. Collins is a former outfielder
in Major League Baseball
from to .
Collins is one of three players to have made it to the major leagues who played for the storied Rapid City Post 22 American Legion baseball
program in Rapid City, SD. The other two are Kelvin Torve
and Mark Ellis
.
by the California Angels
. He made his professional debut with the Angels Rookie ball team in Idaho Falls
and moved up through the Angels farm system, with stops in Single-A Quad City and Salinas
, Double-A El Paso
and Triple-A Salt Lake City
. He was dubbed "fastest white man in baseball" because he ran the 100 yard dash in 9.6 seconds and had high stolen base
totals.
He made his major league debut for the Angels on June 7, 1975, playing left field and batting leadoff, against the Milwaukee Brewers
. He recorded his first career hit the following day against Brewers pitcher Tom Murphy
.
After two seasons as a utility player and reserve outfielder with the Angels, he was selected by the Seattle Mariners
with the 14th pick in the 1976 Major League Baseball expansion draft. He was the first batter for the Mariners in their first game, and scored the franchise's first run two days later.
After that 1977 season, the Mariners traded Collins to the Cincinnati Reds
for Shane Rawley
, and he spent the subsequent four seasons with the Reds. He hit .318 in 1979 and .303 in 1980, during which he also stole 79 bases.
Collins was signed by the New York Yankees
as a free agent prior to the 1982 season, and was then traded with Mike Morgan
, Fred McGriff
and cash to the Toronto Blue Jays
in 1983 for Tom Dodd
and Dale Murray
. He hit .271 and .308 in his two seasons in Toronto.
He was traded again, by the Blue Jays, (along with Alfredo Griffin
and cash) to the Oakland Athletics
for Bill Caudill
in December 1984. Coliins hit .251 in 112 games for Oakland during the 1985 season and was then traded to the Detroit Tigers
for Barbaro Garbey
in November 1985.
As a part-time outfielder with Detroit, he hit .270 and stole 27 bases. Picked up by the Montreal Expos
as a free agent after the season, he was then cut during spring training and signed by the Cincinnati Reds
, with whom he had previously had the most success. Used as a fourth outfielder/pinch hitter by the Reds, he found some success in the role, hitting .294 in 1987, but his average dropped to .236 in 1988 and 1989 and he was released.
Collins played one last season, in 1990, with the St. Louis Cardinals
, batting .224 in 99 games as a first baseman. He played briefly for the Fort Myers Sun Sox
of the Senior Professional Baseball Association
after his retirement from the majors. He finished with a career batting average of .272 in his 16 year career, with 1,335 hits.
Presently; Volunteering at the lighthouse correctional facility conducting one hour motivational and life skills to young offenders in hopes to enhance and change their life.
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
from to .
Collins is one of three players to have made it to the major leagues who played for the storied Rapid City Post 22 American Legion baseball
American Legion Baseball
American Legion Baseball is a variety of amateur baseball played by teenage boys in 50 states in the USA. More than five thousand teams participate each year. The American Legion Department of South Dakota established the program in 1925 at Milbank, South Dakota...
program in Rapid City, SD. The other two are Kelvin Torve
Kelvin Torve
Kelvin Curtis Torve was a Major League Baseball player. He played with the Minnesota Twins in 1988 and with the New York Mets in and . He also played two seasons in Japan for the Orix BlueWave in and...
and Mark Ellis
Mark Ellis
Mark Ellis is the name of:* Mark Ellis , Canadian actor* Mark Ellis , Major League Baseball player* Mark Ellis , English footballer who played for Bradford City...
.
Playing career
Collins was drafted in the first round of the 1972 draft from Mesa Community CollegeMesa Community College
Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona, is the largest of the 10 community colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District and is the largest in the United States. MCC began in 1963 as a branch of Phoenix College and later granted independent status in 1965.MCC offers more than 200...
by the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
. He made his professional debut with the Angels Rookie ball team in Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls Chukars
The Idaho Falls Chukars are a minor league baseball affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They play in Idaho Falls, Idaho, at Melaleuca Field which holds 3,400 fans. The dimensions of the ball park are 340'left, 400'center, 350'right. The playing surface is Natural Grass...
and moved up through the Angels farm system, with stops in Single-A Quad City and Salinas
Salinas Angels
The Salinas Angels were a California League baseball team based in Salinas, California, USA that played from 1976 to 1980. They played their home games at Salinas Municipal Stadium....
, Double-A El Paso
El Paso Diablos
The El Paso Diablos are a professional baseball team based in El Paso, Texas, in the United States. The Diablos are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2005 season to the...
and Triple-A Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City Gulls
leftThe Salt Lake City Gulls, a former member of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, were based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were a minor league affiliate of the California Angels from 1975 to 1981, and of the Seattle Mariners from 1982 to 1984...
. He was dubbed "fastest white man in baseball" because he ran the 100 yard dash in 9.6 seconds and had high stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
totals.
He made his major league debut for the Angels on June 7, 1975, playing left field and batting leadoff, against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. He recorded his first career hit the following day against Brewers pitcher Tom Murphy
Tom Murphy (baseball)
Thomas Andrew Murphy is a former professional baseball pitcher who played twelve seasons for the California Angels, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.He was one of only two American League pitchers to get a...
.
After two seasons as a utility player and reserve outfielder with the Angels, he was selected by the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
with the 14th pick in the 1976 Major League Baseball expansion draft. He was the first batter for the Mariners in their first game, and scored the franchise's first run two days later.
After that 1977 season, the Mariners traded Collins to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Shane Rawley
Shane Rawley
Shane William Rawley is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of twelve seasons in the majors, from 1978 through 1989, for the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Minnesota Twins.Rawley was selected to the National League All-Star team in 1986 as...
, and he spent the subsequent four seasons with the Reds. He hit .318 in 1979 and .303 in 1980, during which he also stole 79 bases.
Collins was signed by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
as a free agent prior to the 1982 season, and was then traded with Mike Morgan
Mike Morgan
Michael Thomas Morgan is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He competed for twelve different teams over 25 years, and is one of only 29 players in baseball history to date to have played Major League baseball over four decades...
, Fred McGriff
Fred McGriff
Frederick Stanley McGriff is a left-handed former Major League Baseball player who starred for several teams from the mid-1980s until the early 2000s. A power-hitting first baseman with a tall, lanky build, the five-time All-Star became, in , the first player since the dead-ball era to lead both...
and cash to the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in 1983 for Tom Dodd
Tom Dodd
Thomas Marion Dodd is a former Major League Baseball player. He is likely best remembered for being one of the players included in the deal that brought Fred McGriff to the Toronto Blue Jays as a minor league prospect.-Yankee farmhand:...
and Dale Murray
Dale Murray
Dale Albert Murray is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos out of Blinn College in Brenham, Texas in the eighteenth round of the 1970 Major League Baseball Draft, and developed into one of the top relief pitchers in the National League in the mid...
. He hit .271 and .308 in his two seasons in Toronto.
He was traded again, by the Blue Jays, (along with Alfredo Griffin
Alfredo Griffin
Alfredo Claudino Griffin is a former Major League Baseball player, who played shortstop for four teams from 1976 to 1993. He is currently the first base coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Playing career:...
and cash) to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Bill Caudill
Bill Caudill
William Holland Caudill is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. One of the wackier players to play the game, Caudill was also one of baseball's top closers from to . Caudill is perhaps most notable for being agent Scott Boras' first client.-Early years:Caudill was drafted by the St...
in December 1984. Coliins hit .251 in 112 games for Oakland during the 1985 season and was then traded to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for Barbaro Garbey
Barbaro Garbey
Bárbaro Garbey is a former utility player in Major League Baseball. Garbey played at outfield, first and third bases, and also served as designated hitter. He batted and threw right-handed....
in November 1985.
As a part-time outfielder with Detroit, he hit .270 and stole 27 bases. Picked up by the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
as a free agent after the season, he was then cut during spring training and signed by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, with whom he had previously had the most success. Used as a fourth outfielder/pinch hitter by the Reds, he found some success in the role, hitting .294 in 1987, but his average dropped to .236 in 1988 and 1989 and he was released.
Collins played one last season, in 1990, with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, batting .224 in 99 games as a first baseman. He played briefly for the Fort Myers Sun Sox
Fort Myers Sun Sox
The Fort Myers Sun Sox were one of the eight original franchises that began play in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989. The Sun Sox finished their inaugural season in second place in the Southern Division with a 37-35 record. Their offense was led by the league's top hitter, Tim...
of the Senior Professional Baseball Association
Senior Professional Baseball Association
The Senior Professional Baseball Association was a winter baseball league based in Florida for players age 35 and over . The league began play in 1989 and had eight teams in two divisions and a 72 game schedule...
after his retirement from the majors. He finished with a career batting average of .272 in his 16 year career, with 1,335 hits.
Presently; Volunteering at the lighthouse correctional facility conducting one hour motivational and life skills to young offenders in hopes to enhance and change their life.
Coaching career
- 1991-1992: First Base coach for the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
- 1992-1994: Head coach for Anna High SchoolAnna High School (Anna, Ohio)Anna High School is a public high school in Anna, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Anna Local Schools district, which is predominately rural. Agriculture is a major occupation among district residents, with many others working in factory production, retail businesses, and at the Honda Anna...
, Anna, OhioAnna, OhioAnna is a village in Shelby County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,319 at the 2000 census.Anna is the location of a Honda Motor Co., Ltd plant that builds the GM L66 engine and Honda J engine.... - 1996-1998: Head coach (baseball and basketball) for Lake Orion High SchoolLake Orion High SchoolLake Orion High School is a public secondary institution located in Orion Township, Michigan. It is a part of Lake Orion Community Schools.The large campus features a centralized commons area, which serves as a distribution center to the wings. The commons area features the cafeteria and student...
, Lake Orion, MichiganLake Orion, MichiganLake Orion is a village in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,973 at the 2010 census. "Lake Orion" is often used to describe both the village and the much larger Orion Township, of which the village is a part.... - 1999-2000: First Base coach for the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
- 2001: Manager of the Single-A Salem AvalancheSalem AvalancheThe Salem Red Sox are a minor league baseball team in Salem, Virginia, USA, an independent city adjacent to Roanoke, Virginia. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League and are a farm team of the Boston Red Sox...
- Won League Championship - 2003-2006: First Base coach for the Colorado RockiesColorado RockiesThe Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
- 2007: Manager of the Single-A Inland Empire 66ers
- 2009: Assistant Coach for the Ontario Blue Jays 18U team
- 2010: First Base coach for the Florida MarlinsFlorida MarlinsThe Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...