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Kevin Collins 1946-2016

G-Fafif Feb 21 2016 02:09 AM

Word from Facebook Baseball Player Passings page, citing Jim Gosger, as a source, is Kevin Collins died today, Feb. 20, in Fla. Was a Met at 19; at 22 he was the only MLBer sent to the Expos to secure Donn Clendenon. RIP.

Edgy MD Feb 21 2016 02:25 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Got added the big-league roster the same day as Ron Swoboda and Tug McGraw. Not exactly a giant leap forward, but a leap nonetheless. Nobody wore the World's Fair patch like him.

G-Fafif Feb 21 2016 02:51 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Refused to take it off for years, apparently.

Zvon Feb 21 2016 03:03 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

RIP Mr. Collins. I'm surprised I don't have a Collins card to pull out'a my hat. I'll have to do something about that if I have a decent photo. '65-'69? I didn't realize he was with the team that long.

batmagadanleadoff Feb 21 2016 06:08 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Zvon wrote: I'm surprised I don't have a Collins card to pull out'a my hat. I'll have to do something about that if I have a decent photo. [fimg=333]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1688/24535814963_1b0c42c5f2_o.jpg[/fimg]

Zvon Feb 21 2016 07:23 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Thanks Batmags. I should have stopped back here before I made the cards. I found one portrait shot that was nice, made a 67, and a really nice posed shot from '69(I guess). I went with a '69 border on that one. Maybe I'll make a '68 out of yours. [fimg=400:1ofd8cav]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-idHoNa9QFPg/VslkCc15vCI/AAAAAAAAlvc/ZKi9p4vG78M/s576-Ic42/71ZFv3K%25252BmwL._SL1399_.jpg[/fimg:1ofd8cav] I did make a card for him in 2013 and it was a 1970 Mets Rookies card. Looks like he was gone by then. IIRC the photo was from the Mets '69 yearbook and it was one of those "down on the farm" things. I'm gonna have to pull that. Is that anywhere near accurate? Was Frisella a rook in '69/70? [fimg=400:1ofd8cav]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dKlE6Zku6go/UseZH8MDGZI/AAAAAAAAKy4/aGLL58tOsDY/s713-Ic42/1970tMETSROOKIES001.jpg[/fimg:1ofd8cav] Thanks again. OE: I wanted to share the original size image but display it at a smaller size. Looks like you can only lift the resized version. I'll PM you the full size photo.

batmagadanleadoff Feb 21 2016 09:08 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

[fimg=288:1rvydlgc]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1462/24869503230_294c0a7cd5_o.jpg[/fimg:1rvydlgc]

Zvon Feb 21 2016 09:58 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Niiice. I went with 1965 for no reasonable reason. Pretty sure the photos later but he needs a solo rookie card. I'll add the 3 Collins to the blog as soon as I whip up a Phillips. It's been a bad week.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 21 2016 12:59 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

This was far from the best thing I ever wrote, and some of the edits make me want to hurl, but I really enjoyed talking to this guy by phone. [url]http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/aef8a995 "Here’s the Irishman, the kind of guy who would get into anything, and he can’t get off the ground. I might not win the fight, but I will be there with you. And I can’t even get off the ground. And I remember everybody—Cardwell, Agee, Joe Pignatano…everybody just going at it. Unfortunately I couldn’t participate because I was on my back, staring up the roof of the Astrodome.”

MFS62 Feb 21 2016 02:48 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Of all the players the Mets tried at third base during those early years, I remember him being one of the few who hit left handed. RIP. Later

d'Kong76 Feb 21 2016 03:44 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: This was far from the best thing I ever wrote, and some of the edits make me want to hurl Nice read, never saw that one before. I had no idea that they edit the submissions. I'd think they'd be happy with what one puts the time and energy in for free and let it roll unless there's something not factually correct or too opinionated or something.

Edgy MD Feb 21 2016 06:43 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

The formatting/layout messed mine up to. And they seemed to end up with an earlier version than the book ultimately printed.

d'Kong76 Feb 21 2016 07:03 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Forgot about the book, and I've read many of the entries. Didn't remember that one for some reason.

Benjamin Grimm Feb 21 2016 10:10 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Anyone find an obituary yet? I just did some Googling and came up empty.

Zvon Feb 22 2016 02:35 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: This was far from the best thing I ever wrote, and some of the edits make me want to hurl, but I really enjoyed talking to this guy by phone. [url]http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/aef8a995 "Here’s the Irishman, the kind of guy who would get into anything, and he can’t get off the ground. I might not win the fight, but I will be there with you. And I can’t even get off the ground. And I remember everybody—Cardwell, Agee, Joe Pignatano…everybody just going at it. Unfortunately I couldn’t participate because I was on my back, staring up the roof of the Astrodome.” This is great. Mind if I link to it from my blog? I'll credit and all. I wonder if he and Buddy were told to try switch hitting around the same time. IIRC Stengel was behind that in Harrelson's case. I found another nice Collins photo in my files and I switched up all the mfc cards for his post (finding Tony Phillips as a Met was more difficult). And I knew there was another reason that Kevin Collins stood out with me. I have his '65 Topps rookie card. I forgot all about that. Anyone know what this is worth these days? Picked that up at a card show in the mid 80's and Tony Perez made that a little pricey. [fimg=300]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U_579qDuKjU/VslYjaORorI/AAAAAAAAlu4/0c69UGXr4KE/s576-Ic42/1965T-K%252520COLLINS%252520ROOKIEsm.png[/fimg]

Zvon Feb 22 2016 02:36 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Anyone find an obituary yet? I just did some Googling and came up empty. I noticed Tony Phillips Wiki was updated, but not Kevin Collins.

d'Kong76 Feb 22 2016 02:41 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

The Beckett H is 80 L is 40... mileage varies.

Mets Guy in Michigan Feb 22 2016 03:20 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Zvon wrote: I found another nice Collins photo in my files and I switched up all the mfc cards for his post (finding Tony Phillips as a Met was more difficult). And I knew there was another reason that Kevin Collins stood out with me. I have his '65 Topps rookie card. I forgot all about that. Anyone know what this is worth these days? Picked that up at a card show in the mid 80's and Tony Perez made that a little pricey. [fimg=300]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U_579qDuKjU/VslYjaORorI/AAAAAAAAlu4/0c69UGXr4KE/s576-Ic42/1965T-K%252520COLLINS%252520ROOKIEsm.png[/fimg] In the 1990s, my mission was to get one of every Mets card, which was actually possible then. I knew the Ryan and Seaver rookies -- and the Fleer Gooden, at the time -- would be really expensive. But it was killer when I'd see that a minor Met shared his rookie card with a star. The Collins was tough!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 22 2016 05:00 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Zvon wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: This was far from the best thing I ever wrote, and some of the edits make me want to hurl, but I really enjoyed talking to this guy by phone. [url]http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/aef8a995 "Here’s the Irishman, the kind of guy who would get into anything, and he can’t get off the ground. I might not win the fight, but I will be there with you. And I can’t even get off the ground. And I remember everybody—Cardwell, Agee, Joe Pignatano…everybody just going at it. Unfortunately I couldn’t participate because I was on my back, staring up the roof of the Astrodome.” This is great. Mind if I link to it from my blog? I'll credit and all. Of course, and thanks! Collins' passing means the oldest man to wear 4 Met uniform numbers is now Ed Lynch.

Zvon Feb 22 2016 06:36 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Of course, and thanks! Collins' passing means the oldest man to wear 4 Met uniform numbers is now Ed Lynch. That didn't register right away. Four different uni #s. Wow. Has anyone ever wore five for the Mets? In the 1990s, my mission was to get one of every Mets card, which was actually possible then. I knew the Ryan and Seaver rookies -- and the Fleer Gooden, at the time -- would be really expensive. But it was killer when I'd see that a minor Met shared his rookie card with a star. The Collins was tough! I did that, starting in 1985 when I got back into collecting cards because of Gooden and Strawberry. Rookie cards became the thing just about then. I'd use current (then) 80's rookies to trade for old Mets cards. I've told the Seaver rookie card story here (how I got it), I'm sure. And the Ryan story. The Fleer Gooden. When I pulled the trigger on that, the 84 Fleer update set was about 2 years old, Gooden and Clemens making it a valuable hotcake. Fleer produced a limited amount and I knew the Gooden was THE card to have. I bought the 84Fleer update set from a gold/card dealer for $100 in '86. I still have the Gooden,the Seaver, and all the rest of the set except Clemens, who I sold for what I'm sure ended up being Mets cards for my collection. I had every Mets card, Topps, Fleer, Donruss, Upper Deck, and special stuff like Hostess cutouts and 3-D cards from 1962 to around 1994. I no longer have the bulk of the collection but still have the more expensive cards and many early year ('62 to '67) commons. I've been thinking about putting the collection back together again. As much as I loved having them, I think the real fun was in the pursuit of the cards. Back to Kevin Collins: I found this nice head shot of Collins and it looks like the youngest I've seen him. That's been used for his 65 bordered card instead of the helmet head one. Helmet head will be a '68. [fimg=300]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RJV0SYEb5a0/VspIMLg1KRI/AAAAAAAAlxA/f4ZI47sX8jo/s576-Ic42/65mfc%252520Kevin%252520Collins%252520R-z16.png[/fimg]

Edgy MD Feb 22 2016 01:07 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Zvon wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Of course, and thanks! Collins' passing means the oldest man to wear 4 Met uniform numbers is now Ed Lynch. That didn't register right away. Four different uni #s. Wow. Has anyone ever wore five for the Mets? Famously!

Zvon Feb 22 2016 11:23 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Edgy MD wrote: Zvon wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Of course, and thanks! Collins' passing means the oldest man to wear 4 Met uniform numbers is now Ed Lynch. That didn't register right away. Four different uni #s. Wow. Has anyone ever wore five for the Mets? Famously! I do remember reading that now that you link it (that's me in comments). IIRC Bobby V also wore five different numbers, but not as a player.

seawolf17 Feb 23 2016 03:09 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Mets Guy in Michigan wrote: In the 1990s, my mission was to get one of every Mets card, which was actually possible then. I've recently re-started making progress on my autographed card collection. I have to update my list, but I'm around 700 right now, with another 50 or so "related" autos as well. These guys who keep dying aren't making it any easier.

G-Fafif Feb 29 2016 03:53 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Obit here. Kevin Michael Collins, age 69, passed away suddenly at his winter home in Naples, Florida on February 20, 2016, surrounded by loved ones. Kevin was born on August 4, 1946 in Springfield, Massachusetts to Michael and Virginia (Munyan) Collins. After a stellar schoolboy athletic career at Springfield Technical High School in Massachusetts, Kevin accepted an offer from the New York Mets and for the better part of the next ten years, played professional baseball. He was a hard-nosed, steady utility player for a number of teams including the Detroit Tigers and the Montreal Expos. While with Montreal, he hit the first ever pinch-hit home run for that organization. Kevin played baseball at a time when a player's salary was about the same as a teacher or police officer; a time, as he used to say, when baseball was simply "about a ball, a bat and a glove". When he finally hung up his cleats, he had no complaints, and no regrets. "I was a guy who played the game the right way," he said in an interview once, "Nobody ever had to tell me how to compete. I… gave you all I had, whether or not that was enough". In his youth, he benefited from his local Boys and Girls Club and later went on to devote much of his time and abilities to that organization. In 1974, he left baseball to settle with his young family in the metro Detroit area and took a job with Summa-Harrison Metal Products and then later with Mexican Industries, an auto parts supplier in southwest Detroit. Kevin continued to share his love of the game with talented young ball players. As the Head Coach and Player Manager, Kevin competed in the Detroit Federal League as well as the Pontiac Men's Class A League gaining local, regional and national attention year after year at the AABC Stan Musial World Series. Kevin had a passion not only for sports, but also politics and current events and was always up for a lively discussion. His smile and engaging nature always made you feel like you were a lifelong friend. He was always ready, too, to tell a good story or share advice if asked, and you could always count on his use of "colorful" language. Kevin never met a dog he didn't like and was always at the ready to lavish them with love and treats. He cherished his family and friends and there was no one he loved more than his three devoted grandchildren. If you were lucky enough to rub shoulders with Kevin Collins, there's no doubt that you were better for it. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his in-laws, Armand and Eileen (Webb) Laflamme. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Marie (Laflamme) Collins, who he met at age 17 on the day he signed his first major league baseball contract and with whom he recently celebrated his 48th wedding anniversary. He is cherished and survived by his two children, Michael (Kirsten) Collins and Kelly (Keith) Binkowski, both of Michigan, and leaves behind his three biggest fans, grandchildren Joseph Binkowski, Katherine Binkowski and Lucas Collins. He also leaves behind his two sisters, Nancy (John) Pollard and Kathleen (Ralph) Disa, and sister-in-law Ann (John) Komer, of Massachusetts. He will be celebrated and remembered by all who knew him, including his nieces, nephews, godchildren and countless friends and extended family. A celebration of his life will take place at a later date in both Michigan and his home state of Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Naples Humane Society.

Edgy MD Feb 29 2016 01:10 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

I stumbled upon a 1993 story reporting that Collins had been charged with embezzling money from a company owned by Gates Brown. Not sure how that turned out, but in Lunchbucket's SABR bio of Collins, Kevin is bragging about his relationship with Brown.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 29 2016 01:25 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Yikes, I missed that detail. I also overlooked a published account indicating that Collins' eventful post-career in the auto parts biz included a plant accident that cost him half of his foot. Just speculating but perhaps the settlement from that event took care of Gates. When I discussed his career he was very proud of having "run a whole plant" for Hank Aguirre's Mexican Industries, which made car seats.

batmagadanleadoff Feb 29 2016 04:09 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

In memoriam wifey watch. Kevin Collins and wife on their wedding day. [fimg=666]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1710/24751958223_4baf12fde5_o.jpg[/fimg] QUIZ: In one post, name the other two people in the picture.

Benjamin Grimm Feb 29 2016 04:11 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

I can name the guy on the far right; it's gotta be Tug McGraw. Don't know who the other one is.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 29 2016 05:11 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

That photo is discussed in my story. McGraw is correct I'll avoid spoiling it by saying that the guy is a sorta obscure Met traded for a prominent one.

Edgy MD Feb 29 2016 05:21 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Looks like the ever-impressive chin of Larry Elliott. [fimg=300:11419cbn]http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server3400/h5igti3r/products/8625/images/9336/img549__82076.1439087168.1280.1280.jpg?c=2[/fimg:11419cbn]

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 29 2016 07:59 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Nope. I'm not even running this quiz. Collins also told me he was still in touch with Brown and seemed simpatico because I definitely asked about his having roomed with him.

Zvon Feb 29 2016 08:43 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Could that be Billy D?

Zvon Feb 29 2016 08:46 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Here's a rare one. [fimg=500:f3oijgh8]http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/rookie-pitcher-tom-seaver-and-bill-denehy-of-the-mets-trot-around-picture-id97261939[/fimg:f3oijgh8]

Edgy MD Feb 29 2016 09:08 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Steve Renko looks like he has some kissy lips.

Zvon Feb 29 2016 09:23 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Edgy MD wrote: Steve Renko looks like he has some kissy lips. ..and one fan. Himself. I'd love a good quality pic of Renko as a Met.

batmagadanleadoff Mar 01 2016 05:18 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

It was Denehy all along.

Zvon Mar 01 2016 08:36 AM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

I found this but it's got the mark. Still, great photo. He had the whole wacky lips, big ears, unibrow, eyes too far apart thing goin' for him. As a kid he stood out for some reason. Probably something he did to the Mets. I knew him as an Expo and I'm pretty sure I didn't know he was ever a Met back then in the early 70's. Shut us out? Steal some Cy Young votes? I don't recall. [fimg=400:29hvy1vx]http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00003REDke_JLLE/s/860/860/Steve-Renko-Mets-Photo-00414.jpg[/fimg:29hvy1vx]

Edgy MD Mar 01 2016 01:10 PM Re: Kevin Collins 1946-2016

Well, he wasn't a Met, so much as a Metly farmhand. Pretty cool that he has his initials and (former) number inked onto his glove like a 13-year-old.