Dan Collins' Obit

Danny Collins' Last Home Run

Daniel J. Collins, better known as "Danny," has made a home run. The popular, good-humored and expert ball player died on Friday morning. Danny's last games were played with the Clarkes, but he was better known as the pitcher of the Lee, and one of the first to introduce curve pitching here. He was about twenty-nine years of age and has been playing ball since boyhood. He was change pitcher of the Chicagos for a year, played with the St. Louis Reds, and was at one time with the Milwaukee club. Danny was of an open handed, warm hearted disposition, and did not leave much to support his wife and three children after his death. It is suggested that a game be played for their benefit, and no doubt all of his fellow-players will volunteer to make the event attractive and successful.

-New Orleans Times-Picyune, September 21, 1883

Hat-tip to Paul Batesel, who was kind enough to pass this along to me. Much thanks to Paul.

Collins had an interesting stint with the Reds. He joined the club in late 1875, after their NA season had fallen apart, and jumped the club in August of 1876 to join Louisville, creating a bit of a scandal. In 1874, he was playing with the Empire Club and, after the Chicagos came through town and crushed all St. Louis opposition, he was signed by the White Stockings. Chicago's signing of Collins (and John Peters) was one of the factors that led to the creation of the Brown Stockings.

And this is a total coincidence but Collins' death in the fall of 1883 fits in with the period we're currently exploring. I love it when a plan comes together.

A Bit More About Collins

The Memphis Blues have disbanded, and Dan Collins, the jumper, is at home in New Orleans.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 15, 1876

The proceeds of the benefit game for the Old Memphis Blues only got one man off, Dan Collins (it is alleged) pocketing the proceeds and leaving town without bidding the others good-by.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 24, 1876

I'm rather fascinated by Collins and would like to learn a bit more about him. He was born in St. Louis in 1854 and died in New Orleans in 1883, not even thirty years old. From my point of view, he is most famous for jumping from the Empire Club to the Chicago White Stockings in 1874, an event that helped bring about the organization of the Brown Stockings. He got into three games for Chicago that year and appears to have returned to St. Louis. In 1875, he was playing with the reorganized Red Stockings in the second half of the season and was most likely playing for a local club prior to that. In 1876, he obviously played with the Reds and Louisville, before ending the season in Memphis.

After that I don't know what happened to him. He was still a very young man and was likely playing baseball somewhere. But I can't find anything on him after 1876. I also can't verify the date of death. If anybody has any more information on Collins, I'd love to see it.

The Collins Affair, Part Three

The following letter from President Haldeman of the Louisville Club, explains itself. That club was notified of Collins' standing before he reached Louisville, and there can be no excuse for having played him. Now that all the circumstances connected with the case are understood, it is not likely that Collins will be permanently engaged. No disagreement existed between him and the Red Stocking management until he broke his contract and jumped. the subjoined letter will repay perusal:

Louisville, Auguast 8, 1876.-Thos. McNeary, Esq., Manager St. Louis Reds: Dear Sir-Your telegram of the 5th was duly received, and placed in the hands of our Manager, Mr. J.C. Chapman. Mr. Collins, as I am advised, has no engagement with the Louisville B.B.C. He was employed by one of our directors to play while two of our men, who were sick and disabled, were unable to perform duty, and he has played in two games this week. He was so employed before anything had been heard from you, and when we were not aware his leaving was counter to your wishes. Of course we have nothing to do with any difficulty between you and Mr. Collins; but we have no desire to interfere with any of your arrangements, and had we been aware of your disinclination for him to leave your club we would not have thought of giving him even temporary employment. Very respectfully yours, etc.,

W.N. Haldeman

President Louisville B.B.C.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, August 12, 1876

For the record, Collins played in seven games for Louisville. I know that Collins played for Louisville against Chicago on August 6 and that he played in two games against the Browns on August 10 and August 12. He did not play in any other games for Louisville between August 6 and August 12. Therefore, giving Louisville the benefit of the doubt and assuming that they were not aware of the contract relationship between Collins and the Reds prior to August 12, the club played Collins in four more games after being made of the relationship and stating that they had no desire to interfere in the arrangements of the Reds. Of course, it's highly unlikely that Louisville was not aware of the contractual relationship between Collins and the Reds when they signed him.

I think the bottom line here is that Haldeman was not being truthful. I believe that Louisville would have continued to employ and play Collins if he had been good enough to play in the League. He was not good enough and that was why Louisville got rid of him. It had nothing to do with the fact that they wanted to respect his contract with the Reds.

The Collins Affair, Part Two

It will be seen by the subjoined special telegram that Louisville, after nine successive attempts, has at last succeeded in winning a game of ball from Chicago, but the splendor of the victory has been disgracefully dimmed by the manner in which it was accomplished. The Louisvilles played Collins in spite of the protest entered by Manager McNeary, of the St. Louis Red Stockings, furnished the President of the Kentucky Club by telegraph, in order that he might be fully aware of the fact that Collins had not been released before engaging him. The release was refused for the reason that the Reds have entered for two tournaments to be played in Michigan, this week, and as they were to have such strong opponents as the Buckeyes to contend against, it was necessary that their full team should be placed on the field. The secession of Collins, who had played with the nine all season, of course weakens it and diminishes the chances of the club winning first money in the tournaments, so that all can see the injustice done the management by the action of the Louisville Club. This is, however, merely a side issue. The League was organized with the avowed purpose of instituting much needed reforms, and especially to cover cases as this. That the Reds belong to another association cuts no figure in the matter whatever, and it remains to be seen whether the Louisvilles will be sustained in their dirty action by other League clubs. The Reds have fulfilled their contracts with the players to the letter, and the boys have been kept together at a loss to the management, who knew they had a nine which, if it remained intact, would next year be able to take a prominent position in the championship arena. The "revolving" of Collins, while it may cripple the organization for a few days, will have no other effect, a much stronger man in every respect having been engaged to take his place, and he will be with them shortly. No one having the interests of the National game at heart will, however, fail to severely condemn the Louisville club for its action in the premises.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, August 6, 1876

The Collins Affair, Part One

Dan Collins, center fielder of the St. Louis Red Stockings, left for Louisville last night, treating the management in a shameful manner. On Thursday he was paid his salary to the 1st of the month, and yesterday he vanished, saying never a word. He had asked for a release, in order that he might join the Louisvilles, but was informed by Mr. McNeary that he could not be spared. The club has fulfilled the terms of its contracts with all its players, to the letter, and been especially kind to Collins in retaining him when he was playing a game at third that would put an amateur to blush. The following telegram was sent to the President of the Louisville club last night, and it remains to be seen whether that gentleman and the League will disgrace themselves by hiring Collins under the circumstances:

St. Louis, August 4.-W.N. Haldeman, President Louisville B.B.C.; Louisville, Ky.: Collins has left for Louisville without any release from us, and we protest against his engagement by your club. We do not owe him a cent; have fulfilled our part of the contract to the letter, and his engagement will reflect great discredit on the National game.

Thomas McNeary,

Manager St. Louis Reds.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, August 5, 1876

This has nothing to do with anything, but still: While looking at Dan Collins' page at B-Ref, I noticed that he scored a one on the Hall of Fame Monitor. Can somebody explain to me how you get one HoF Monitor point? Do you get one point for showing up and putting a uniform on? Does every player score at least a one on the HoF Monitor? Can you score a zero? Can you get a negative score?

Well, shoot. I had to go and look into this and it's not nearly as interesting as it looks at first glance. No, you can not have negative HoF Monitor points (although I'd still give Steve Jeltz a negative 32) and you have to do something specific to earn points. It looks like Collins picked up his point by leading the NA in strikeouts as a pitcher in 1874. He had 18 K's that year. So Collins picked up his HoF Monitor point by striking out 18 guys in the National Association. I can't say that the accomplishment really impresses me that much. While that mighty achievement does give him more HoF Monitor points than Jeltz or Yuniesky Betancourt, he still falls short of such immortals as Kiki Calero and Oliver Perez.

I'll have more on the Collins Affair over the next couple of days. Consider yourself warned.

The 1876 Brown Stockings: The Globe Uses The Word "Execrable" In A Sentence

Not more than 200 spectators were present at Grand Avenue Park yesterday afternoon, to witness the Cincinnati and St. Louis Clubs play the sixth game of their series, which was umpired by Dan Collins, of the St. Louis Red Stockings, and commenced promptly at 4 o'clock, each club presenting its full nine. In the first inning for St. Louis Cuthbert tallied on errors by Kessler, Booth and Pearson, and Clapp an earned run on base hits by himself, Pike and Battin, Pike's being a two-baser. McGeary flew out to Pearson, and Jones caught Blong's difficult fly, and nipped Pike at the home plate by a splendid throw. A juggle by Pearce and a wild pitch allowed Gould to reach second, which was the best Cincinnati could do. The second inning was productive of an earned run for St. Louis on Battin's single and Blong's three-baser, Pearson and Jones distinguishing themselves by fine catches. The Cincinnatis could do nothing, Pearson being the only one to get a base hit. The third inning was marked by Foley's magnificent stop and throw, which disposed of Cuthbert. A base hit by McGeary, Dean's wild pitch which gave his his run, and Pike's three-base hit over Pearson's head that made the run earned. The Cincinnatis were retired in one, two, three order, Blong making a fine catch of Jones' hard hit. The fourth inning saw the Browns disposed of in one, two, three order, while Booth for Cincinnati got a base hit and as far as third, and Dean to second, on errors by Pike and McGeary, but both were left. In the fifth inning Foley went behind the bat and Booth to third, and Cuthbert got in an unearned run on errors by Booth and Foley. For Cincinnati, after two men were out, Pearson, Bean and Sweasy came to the rescue with safe hits, and the former tallied an unearned run on Cuthbert's error. Blong tallied for St. Louis in the sixth inning on a safe hit and bad errors by Gould and Kessler, while the Cincinnatis were retired without scoring, Pearce and Dehlman doubling up Jones and Booth, the former having reached first on Pike's excusable error. In the Seventh inning the Browns should have been whitewashed, but costly errors by Kessler and Sweasy gave St. Louis three runs, McGeary and Pike helping matters along by fine base hits. The Reds retired in one, two, three order. The Browns failed to increase their score in the eighth inning, and their opponents were also treated to lime, Pearson, Dean and Sweasy going out in step-stair order. One, two, three was the order of the Browns' retirement in the ninth inning, and of the Cincinnatis' also, Cuthbert ending the game by a brilliant catch of a long hit by Jones. The umpiring was execrable.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 21, 1876

Did they just say that the umpiring was execrable? I'll just direct you to a Latin dictionary, suggest you look up the word excrementum and leave it at that. Wow. That's pretty strong stuff for a newspaper in 1876.

I should point out the lousy crowds the Brown Stockings were getting for the Cincinnati series. Sure, the Reds were bad and the games were played on weekdays but these are terrible crowds. The conventional wisdom is that the Brown Stockings had poor attendance in 1876 or that, at the very least, attendance was down from 1875. While I haven't added all the numbers up, the 1876 attendance didn't seem that bad to me in the first half of the season and this is the first series were poor attendance numbers really stand out.

I've been wondering for awhile if the turmoil surrounding the club had an effect on attendance. At some point, I'll put the numbers together and we'll have some empirical evidence but I find it difficult thinking that all the rumors, infighting, etc. wouldn't drive down attendance. The 1877 team didn't draw well and while that probably has a lot to do with the fact that the team didn't win, it's possible that the attendance decline from 1875 to 1877 has something to do with St. Louis baseball fans rejecting a corrupt ball club and this rejection process may have begun in 1876. I don't have the answers to this right now but when I put the numbers together, we'll be able to take a closer look at this.

The Base Ball Sensation Of The Year

The feature of the game was (John) Peters' play in short field, all the more noteworthy in view of the fact that he was suffering horribly from an attack of pleurisy. This young man is the base ball sensation of the year up to this time. Taken from a St. Louis amateur club, in which he played semi-occasionally, as often as he could spare the time from his underground employment as a miner, he was placed in the White Stocking nine to fill the difficult position made vacant by the illness of Jimmy Wood. After playing second base extremely well, he was transferred to short field, where his record is a marvel among ball-players. At first he was nervous at the bat through lack of experience with professional pitching, but he has got bravely over this, and is now giving Meyerle, Cuthbert, and Force a hard rub for the batting supremacy. Peters was out of place in St. Louis, and Chicago took him in. It may gratify his many admirers to know that his engagement with the White Stocking nine continues for three years.

-Chicago Tribune, July 26, 1874

According to Tobias, Chicago "perpetrated highway robbery" in May of 1874 when, after playing in St. Louis, they signed Peters, of the Reds, and Dan Collins, of the Empire Club. However, Tobias wrote, "the Reds did not feel the loss of Peters to any tearful extent..." That, of course, is utter nonsense. The Reds were not a particularly heavy hitting club and Peters proved to be a fine hitter. I think there's enough statistical evidence to show that he would have been an improvement at shortstop over Billy Redmon.

Maybe We Should Go Find Some Professional Players (Or Chicago Adds Insult To Injury)

In 1874, according to E.H. Tobias, the Chicago White Stockings "came to St. Louis under an arrangement to play four games each with the Empire, Red Stocking and Turner Clubs..." These were probably the three best clubs in St. Louis at the time and the Chicagos cleaned their clocks. While there were a couple of close games, the White Stockings went undefeated on their St. Louis trip and embarrassed the St. Louis baseball fraternity.

Below is the dates of the games played and their results:

April 21 Chicago 24 Empire 2
April 23 Chicago 6 Reds 0
April 26 Chicago 6 Empire 4
April 28 Chicago 22 Turners 5
April 29 Chicago 30 Empire 9
April 30 Chicago 31 Reds 10
May 1 Chicago 21 Empire 10
May 2 Chicago 31 Reds 13

Thankfully, the weather in St. Louis was rather rainy (as it usually is at that time of year) and the rest of the games were unable to be played-although the Reds did make a trip to Chicago and finished their series with the White Stockings on May 6 (when they promptly lost by a score of 14-7). The Chicagos came to St. Louis, went 7-0 on the trip and outscored the best teams in St. Louis by an aggregate score of 171-53. If you count the Reds game in Chicago, the White Stockings were 8-0 against the best St. Louis had to offer and had a run differential of +125.

To add insult to injury, the Chicagos "perpetrated highway robbery while (in St. Louis) and secretly carried their spoils home with them in the person of Johnnie Peters, second base of the Red Stockings, and (Dan) Collins, the Empire pitcher." So not only did the White Stockings come in and crush everybody, they also stole two of the best players in town.

You can date the beginning of the movement to create a professional baseball team in St. Louis and the beginning of the St. Louis/Chicago baseball rivalry to late April/early May 1874. It was this crushing performance by the Chicagos and the humiliation suffered by the St. Louis baseball community that set into motion the events that would lead to the creation of the Brown Stockings. It also puts into perspective the celebration that erupted following the Brown Stockings 10-0 victory over the White Stockings on May 6, 1875. The Browns 4-3 win over the Chicagos two days later was just icing on the cake (and payback for stealing Peters and Collins).

Edit: This little story keeps getting worse. It seems that the White Stockings came back to St. Louis in October of 1874 and continued their dominance over the St. Louis clubs. On October 15, they defeated the Reds 17-3 and two days later they beat the Empires 13-0, the first time in the proud history of the Empire Base Ball Club that the team had ever been shutout. So for those scoring at home, the Chicagos were 11-0 against St. Louis clubs in 1874, outscoring them 215-63 for a run differential of +152.

The Reds Get Their Revenge

The Reds ended their tumultuous 1875 season with a four game series against the Stocks. Playing at the Compton Avenue Park, the two teams met on four Sunday afternoons in October. The Stocks, bidding to become the unofficial champions of St. Louis, defeated the Reds in the first game, upset the Empires on October 10th, and then beat the Reds again in the second game of the series.

The Stockyard nine was on a roll when they met the Reds for the third time on October 24th. But the Red Stockings, "chagrined at the double defeat" and playing before a crowd of more than 2,000 people, jumped on their rivals and took a quick 4-0 lead. The rout was on and the Reds took the third game by a score of 12-2.

On October 31st, the two teams met for the final game of the series. The game was a barn burner. The Stocks were leading 5-3 after two innings when the Reds scored one in the third and five in the fourth to go ahead 9-5. Coming back, the Stockyards scored three in the bottom of the fifth to cut their deficit to one run. The Reds immediately answered back in the top of the sixth with two more runs to put the game away. The final score was 13-9. In their final game of the season, the Reds managed to half the series and regain a bit of their pride.

The Reds nine, in these final games of 1875, was, due to the turmoil of the summer, a bit different than the nine that competed in the NA. The team consisted of Charlie Houtz (1b), Art Croft (2b), Dan Collins (3b), Billy Redmon (ss), John Magner (LF), Tom Loftus (CF), Tom Oran (RF), and a battery of Silver Flint (C) and Pidge Morgan (P). In game two of the series, Croft pitched in place of Morgan, who was home with his pregnant wife. In that game, Welch played 2b in place of Croft and "the substitute" Roe replaced Loftus in center field. The Globe-Democrat singled Welch out for poor play in game two and wrote that his fielding "lost the game".