Collins, Eddie (1887-1951), was one of the greatest all-around players in baseball history. Collins was an outstanding hitter, a brilliant base runner, and one of the finest fielders of his day. He played in the major leagues for 25 years, retiring with a career batting average of .333. His 3,315 hits ranks 10th among all major league batters. He stole 745 bases, which ranks seventh among major league base runners. A second baseman, Collins led the American League in fielding nine times. He also led the league in stolen bases four times and in runs scored three times.
Edward Trowbridge Collins was born in Millerton, New York, on May 2, 1887. He began his major league career with the Philadelphia Athletics of the American League in 1906, playing with the team through the 1914 season. He was sold to the Chicago White Sox in 1915. Collins was player-manager of Chicago for the 1925 and 1926 seasons. The White Sox released him after the 1926 season, and he returned to the Philadelphia Athletics, retiring in 1930. Collins became part owner and general manager of the Boston Red Sox in 1933. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. He died on March 25, 1951.
