Hub Collins

George Hubbard Collins

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 160 lb.

• Debut September 4, 1886
• Final Game May 14, 1892
• Born April 15, 1864 in Louisville, KY USA
• Died May 21, 1892 in Brooklyn, NY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

"He was destined to be the greatest second baseman in Brooklyn history before an insidious disease cut him down in the prime of his life... His stolen base per game average is one of the highest ever recorded... In the field, his lifetime 6.1 range factor is the best of any Dodger second baseman." - from the Dodgers Encyclopedia page on Hub Collins

Hub Collins left a game on May 14, 1892 because he was feeling ill. A week later, he was dead of typhoid fever.

Collins broke in at 22 with the Louisville Colonels of the American Association in 1886, and spent parts of the next three seasons with the club. He was batting .307/.366/.419 in 1888 when he was sold to Brooklyn in September for $4,500 to finish the season. Collins finished fourth in the AA in in average (.307) and OBP (.373) while leading the league in doubles (31) and scoring an impressive 133 runs. Collins spent the rest of his major league career with Brooklyn, remaining with the team as it moved to the National League. He led the NL in runs scored in 1890, batting .278/.385/.386 while coming home to score 148 times. In total, Hub played 381 games at second base, 271 in the outfield and brief action at first base, shortstop and third base. He was mostly an outfielder with Louisville and mostly a second baseman with Brooklyn.

Collins came out hot in 1892, batting .299/.396/.379 in 21 games for an OPS+ of 139. He insisted on playing even though he was ill, and skipper John Ward had to finally order him to go to a doctor. After his death, Ward held an all-star benefit for his widow and child, bringing in $3,000. The Dodgers Encyclopedia has a photo of him.

Notable Achievements

• NL Runs Scored Leader (1890)
• AA Doubles Leader (1888)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 4 (1887-1890)
• 50 Stolen Bases Seasons: 4 (1887-1890)