Where Have You Gone, Dave Collins?

Published by Toronto Mike on May 23, 2007 @ 16:17 in Toronto Blue Jays

bluejaysWe're living in the age of the three run homer. Fans love it, but I miss small ball. In particular, I miss the stolen base.

I grew up watching Ricky Henderson steal over a hundred bases a season. Speedsters like Vince Coleman mastered the art of thievery, put pitchers off their game and made something out of a single, walk or error. I remember well when Dave Collins stole 60 for the Jays in '84, the same season Damaso Garcia stole 46. Those days are long gone.

Take a look at the best base stealing seasons on record for Blue Jays. Since Shannon Stewart stole 51 in '98, no Jay has exceeded 30 in a season. Vernon Wells currently leads the team with 5. Nobody has 4.

  1. Dave Collins - 60 (1984)
  2. Roberto Alomar - 55 (1993)
  3. Damaso Garcia - 54 (1982)
  4. Otis Nixon - 54 (1996)
  5. Roberto Alomar - 53 (1991)
  6. Shannon Stewart - 51 (1998)
  7. Roberto Alomar - 49 (1992)
  8. Otis Nixon - 47 (1997)
  9. Damaso Garcia - 46 (1984)
  10. Lloyd Moseby - 39 (1984 & 1987)

You can keep your three run homer. I want to see a guy beat out an infield hit, steal a couple of bases and score on a squeeze play. Where have you gone, Dave Collins?

1988 Blue Jays

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3 Responses to "Where Have You Gone, Dave Collins?"

Al
May 25, 2007 / 09:16

I miss those days too, unfortunately, J.P. doesn't believe in smallball which annoys me. I don't know why you have to play one style or the other anyway. Stealing a base doesn't preclude Frank Thomas from hitting a homerun, if anything (as you mentioned) it distracts the pitcher and makes it (the HR) more likely. I'm quickly wearing thin on J.P., and the recent stories of him lying to the fans hasn't done much to win me over. This used to be a class organization and I think J.P. is tainting it.

Toronto Mike
May 25, 2007 / 09:20

Al, I don't know who the hell you are, but I keep agreeing with you... except for the crap you spew about the Sens.

J.P. has worn out his welcome with me and his arrogance annoys me. He's always got an excuse, he admits to lying - lies intended to deceive the ticket buying public - and he's yet to produce a playoff team.

Can't we drive a Brinks truck to Gillick's house and beg him for a round two?

Andrew
June 16, 2007 / 17:40

"Small" ball can preclude Thomas or anyone else from hitting a home run, or more likely a 2 run home run. Stealing bases simply aren't worth the risk unless its a sure thing 85% or higher they're going to make it. Idealy I don't like seeing anyone run when Wells, Thomas or Glaus is up since they don't need the distraction of the runner coming into their field of vision.

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