"An ex-Red snared as a free agent for a three-year contract worth at least $2.5 million, he had contrasting seasons last year as one of the players hurt most by the strike. He batted .312 in the first half and led the league with 44 runs scored, yet tailed off to .214 in the second half. The Player of the Week April 13-19, batting .421, he batted .406 in April. He's among the fastest players in the majors, but his stolen bases dipped from 79 in 1980 to 26.
Born in Rapid City, South Dakota, Collins failed to impress in AL stints with the Angels and Mariners, but made the best of his opportunity with the Reds as a fill-in for the injured George Foster and Ken Griffey and batted .318 in 1979. He batted .357 in the playoffs that season and stole 22 bases in a row in 1980."
-Bill Madden, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1982 Edition
"Like so many before him, Dave Collins grew up rooting for the Yankees and number seven, Mickey Mantle. Fourteen years after the Mick's last days as a Yankee, Dave finds himself in the House that Ruth Built staring at the facade and the monuments which make Yankee Stadium the most famous ballyard in America. It's quite a thrill for the 5'10", 175-pound veteran from Rapid City, South Dakota ... and quite a trip.
Dave began his long journey to the Stadium via the California Angels organization, where he played for five seasons. After one year with the Mariners in '77, Dave moved on to Cincinnati and became an integral part of the Big Red Machine. Despite a slow start in his first season, Dave rallied for back-to-back .300-plus years at the plate and a total of 128 stolen bases in just four campaigns with the Reds. In 1980, he came just one short of the Cincinnati team record with 79 stolen bases and a streak of 21 in a row during one stretch. His speed and potency with the bat were becoming commonplace occurrences.
A combination of Dave's desire to come to New York and the Yankees' desire to add speed and hustle made this 29-year-old a perfect fit for pinstripes. Bob Lemon sees Dave Collins as a more-than-welcome addition and a super-plus in the all-important hustle department. In 1982, look for Dave to work his tail off and give his New York fans 110 percent."
-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook
"In the shortened 1981 season, Collins batted .272 in 95 games (the Reds played 108) and stole 26 bases in 36 attempts. In 1980 he stole 79 bases (one short of the Reds record set in 1911), stealing 21 in a row at one point. Dave also hit in 15 consecutive games, the Reds' top streak on '80.
In 1972, Dave was named to the Pioneer League All-Star squad. His 15-game hitting streak in 1975 was the longest by an Angel, and he was also named the 1975 Angels' top minor leaguer. In 1976, he won the Angels' Most Improved Player Award.
Collins was a multi-sport star at Stevens High in Rapid City and holds the South Dakota prep record in the 100 with 9.6 timing. He was All-State in basketball and baseball. Dave played Little League and American Legion ball in Rapid City and was a Yankee and Mickey Mantle fan as a youngster. At Mesa Community College he lettered in track and was an All-American in baseball.
Dave coaches high school basketball in the off-season."
-1982 New York Yankees Media Guide
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