Lou Collier
Louis Keith Collier (born August 21, 1973) is an American former professional baseball utility player, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1997 through 2004. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 31st round of the 1992 Major League Baseball draft.[1] Collier batted and threw right-handed.
Lou Collier | |||
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Utility player | |||
Born: Chicago, Illinois | August 21, 1973|||
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Professional debut | |||
MLB: June 28, 1997, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |||
KBO: 2005, for the LG Twins | |||
Last appearance | |||
MLB: September 30, 2004, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |||
KBO: 2006, for the Hanwha Eagles | |||
MLB statistics | |||
Batting average | .241 | ||
Home runs | 8 | ||
Runs batted in | 78 | ||
Teams | |||
Professional career
In 1994, Collier was selected MVP of the South Atlantic League All-Star Game after leading the National League affiliate teams to a 9–5 victory with three hits, including a home run. He reached the Majors in 1997 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, spending two years with them before moving to the Milwaukee Brewers (1999-2001), Montreal Expos (2002), Boston Red Sox (2003) and Philadelphia Phillies (2004). In 1998 with Pittsburgh, he posted career-highs in games played (110), hits (82), runs (30), RBI (34), doubles (13) and triples (6).
In 315 major league games, Collier was a .241 hitter with eight home runs and 78 RBI. In 2007, he was invited by the Philadelphia Phillies to spring training after spending two seasons with the LG Twins and Hanwha Eagles in Korea Baseball Organization.
On June 1, 2007, as a member of the Ottawa Lynx, Collier announced his retirement from professional baseball.[2] In 2016, he was listed as a Chicago-based scout for the Kansas City Royals.[3]
Off the field
"Friendly" Lou Collier is not only well known for his baseball skills. Lou often kept his teammates happy and motivated by preparing for them his world-famous Texas French Toast with homemade vanilla bean syrup.[4]
In 1992, Lou Collier founded a not-for-profit organization: Lou Collier Baseball Association, Inc. This organization focused on surrounding Chicago youth in a positive atmosphere with successful mentors and role models so that each youth will have the opportunity to acquire the tools necessary to be successful in life.
References
- "Lou Collier Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
- Sun Staff Wire Services, "Sports Sunflashes", The Ottawa Sun, published June 2, 2007, accessed June 4, 2007.
- Norris, Josh, ed. (2016). Baseball America 2016 Directory. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America. ISBN 978-1-932391-62-6.
- StuffThatIsTrue.com, "", Published August 19, 2006, accessed October 20, 2006
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball-Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Lou Collier at Baseball Almanac
- Lou Collier at Pura Pelota (Venezuelan Professional Baseball League)
- Lou Collier at Korea Baseball Organization