John Anthony “Ripper” Collins (March 30, 1904 - April 15, 1970) spent nine seasons as a Major League Baseball first baseman, and is the only first baseman to have twice recorded no putouts in a nine-inning game — as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals (1935) and again for the Chicago Cubs (1937). Collins started his professional career in 1923, playing for various Minor League Baseball teams until 1930 — the same year he batted .376 with 40 home runs and 180 RBI for the International League’s Rochester Red Wins. His RBI total set an IL record … and caught the attention of the Cardinals, which offered Collins a shot at playing at the Major League level. In six seasons (1931-1936), he belted 106 home runs and 852 hits with 516 RBI. In what was unquestionably his best season in 1934, he hit 35 home runs (leading the National League), with a .333 batting average and 128 RBI. He also helped the Cards win the 1934 World Series thanks to his .367 batting average in the seven-game Series. The following season, he hit another 23 home runs with 122 RBI, and was selected for his first of three consecutive All-Star Games (1935-1937). Ripper spent two years playing for the Cubs (1937-1938), and later finished his career playing 49 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1941). He retired with a .296 lifetime batting average, 135 home runs, and 659 RBI. After leaving MLB, Collins continued to play ball in the minors, and in 1944, was named Minor League Player of the Year while in the Eastern League, batting .396 with a league-leading 40 doubles.
