Books and articles about Ripper Collins

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Though the 5'9" 165-lb Collins was small for a first baseman, he was the most dangerous slugger on the Cardinal Gas House Gang, hammering 35 HR for the NL title in 1934. He was a fun-maker off the field, but he was relentlessly serious on it. He broke up four no-hitters in late innings. A one-time coal miner from Altoona, PA, a strike freed Collins to try pro ball. He spent 30 years as a player, coach, minor league manager, and sporting goods rep. A facile talker, he became a broadcaster. He said he got his nickname when, as a boy, he once hit the team's only ball and snagged it on a fence nail, ripping its cover. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » October 8, 1936: The Cardinals trade 1B Ripper Collins and P Roy Parmelee to the Cubs for Chicago's star P Lon Warneke. » May 4, 1937: Ripper Collins, Joe Marty, and John Bottarini homer for the Cubs in the 8th inning against the Phils, as visiting Chicago wins 14–7. » August 10, 1937: Cubs 1B Ripper Collins fractures his right ankle sliding into home plate in a game with Pittsburgh.