Ripper Collins
From BR Bullpen
James Anthony Collins (Rip)
- Bats Both, Throws Left
- Height 5' 9", Weight 165 lb.
- Debut April 18, 1931
- Final Game September 28, 1941
- Born March 30, 1904 in Altoona, PA USA
- Died April 15, 1970 in New Haven, NY USA
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[edit] Introduction
Ripper Collins was a member of the Gas House Gang who led the league in slugging percentage and home runs in 1934 when the Gas House Gang won the 1934 World Series. He also appeared on the 1938 Chicago Cubs who won the pennant. Lifetime, in his nine-year major league career, he hit .296 with a .492 slugging percentage.
[edit] In the minors prior to his major league career
- Collins won a Triple Crown in the Three-I League in 1928 with a .388 average, 19 homers and 101 RBI
- In 1929, he led the International League with 38 home runs and 134 RBI, helping lead the Rochester Red Wings to a 103-win season and the pennant. In the prior couple seasons, he had played briefly with Rochester after spending the bulk of the year in lower level clubs.
- In 1930, Collins set the IL RBI record with 180 - this still remains the all-time league record. He also hit .376 (leading the league), slugged .684, scored 165, banged out a league-best 234 hits, delivered 40 homers and a league-high 19 triples.
[edit] The majors
- In 1934, Collins had 369 total bases, the record for a switch-hitter in the National League. That season he led the NL in slugging, OPS and tied for the homer lead with Mel Ott. Collins was also a ringleader in the antics of the Gas House Gang.
[edit] In the minors after the majors
- Collins played in the Pacific Coast League and Eastern League after his career in the majors ended. In 1944, he was named Minor League Player of the Year while with Albany of the Eastern League. At the age of 40, he might have been the oldest player ever to win this honor. He hit .396/~.485/.598 that year and led the league in doubles (40), average, slugging and OBP. He even stole 14 bases!
- Collins managed in the minors for a decade. He piloted the 1942-1946 Albany Senators, 1947-1948 San Diego Padres, 1949 Pawtucket Slaters, 1949-1950 Hartford Chiefs and 1961 San Antonio Missions. Glory Days of Summer lists Collins as manager of the Shawnee, OK franchise but this has not been as yet confirmed by other sources. Collins did eventually get back to the majors as a Chicago Cubs coach from 1961 to 1963.
Sources: The International League: Year-by-Year Statistics by Marshall Wright, 1946 Baseball Guide, 1989 Sporting News Baseball Guide (though any Guide lists past MLPOTY award winners), Great Baseball Feats, Facts & Firsts by David Nemec and Baseball's 25 Greatest Teams by Lowell Reidenbaugh
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1944 Minor League Player of the Year (Albany Senators, Eastern League)
- 3-time NL All-Star (1935-1937)
- NL Slugging Percentage Leader (1934)
- NL OPS Leader (1934)
- NL Total Bases Leader (1934)
- NL Home Runs Leader (1934)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 3 (1932, 1934 & 1935)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1934)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 2 (1934 & 1935)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1934 & 1935)
- 200 Hits Seasons: 1 (1934)
- Won two World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals (1931 & 1934)
[edit] Year-by-Year Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | Albany Senators | Eastern League | 84-56 | 1st | Pittsburgh Pirates | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1943 | Albany Senators | Eastern League | 74-65 | 5th | Pittsburgh Pirates | ||
| 1944 | Albany Senators | Eastern League | 91-47 | 2nd | Pittsburgh Pirates | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1945 | Albany Senators | Eastern League | 79-61 | 3rd | Pittsburgh Pirates | League Champs | |
| 1946 | Albany Senators | Eastern League | 78-62 | 2nd | Pittsburgh Pirates | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1947 | San Diego Padres (PCL) | Pacific Coast League | 79-107 | 8th | none | ||
| 1948 | San Diego Padres (PCL) | Pacific Coast League | -- | none | -- | replaced by Jim Brillheart | |
| 1949 | Pawtucket Slaters | New England League | -- | Boston Braves | -- | replaced by Dutch Dorman | |
| Hartford Chiefs | Eastern League | 5th | Boston Braves | replaced Earl Browne | |||
| 1950 | Hartford Chiefs | Eastern League | 80-59 | 3rd | Boston Braves | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1951 | Seminole Ironmen | Sooner State League | -- | none | -- | replaced by Dutch Prather | |
| 1961 | San Antonio Missions | Texas League | -- | Chicago Cubs | -- | replaced by Harry Craft |
