Collins was born on December 4, 1885, in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood and grew up in Newton, Massachusetts.[1][2] His nickname Shano (pronounced and sometimes spelled "Shauno") came about as a clubhouse corruption of Sean, the Gaelic equivalent of John.[3]
Baseball career
Minor leagues
Collins first gained notice as a pitcher in semipro leagues, however an arm injury would force him off the mound. He played shortstop Haverhill of the Class B New England League in 1907. He missed the following season due to injury and returned to professional baseball in 1909 as a second baseman with the Springfield Ponies of the Connecticut State League. In 88 games, Collins batted .322 with 8 home runs.[2] On August 14, 1909, his contract was purchased by the Chicago White Sox.[1]
Major league career
Collins made his major league debut on April 21, 1910. That season he played first base behind Chick Gandil, but he was quickly moved to right field, where he developed a reputation for having one of the strongest throwing arms in baseball. In 1911, Gandil's contract was sold and Collins became the starting first baseman. He batted .262 and hit a career-high four home runs, good for eighth in the league.[3] In 1912, Collins played 153 games, batting .290 with 2 home runs and 86 RBI.[1] Following the season he married Elizabeth C. Doyle of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.[4] In 1914, Collins placed third in the American League with 34 doubles. The following season he finished fourth in RBIs with 85.[3] Collins won a World Series with the Sox in 1917, delivering the game-winning hit in the pennant-clinching game. He batted .286 (6 for 21) in the 1917 World Series, going 3-for-4 in Game 1. In 1918, he set a record with three bases-loaded triples in one season, which stood alone for 31 years until Elmer Valo tied the mark in 1949.[5] Collins still holds the MLB career record of eight triples with the bases loaded.[6] During the notorious 1919 World Series, tainted by the Black Sox Scandal, Collins went 4-for-16 at the plate for the White Sox. He was not among those implicated in the scandal. In the indictments of the key figures in the Black Sox scandal, Collins is named as the wronged party. The indictment claims that by throwing the World Series the alleged conspirators defrauded him of $1,784.[7]
Collins managed the Des Moines Demons in 1926 and 1927 before returning to Pittsfield in 1928. In 1930, Collins became manager of Nashua Millionaires. However, the league folded in June, which led to Collins' return to Des Moines. After taking over the club, the Demons improved last place to third place by the end of the season.[3]
Following the 1930 season, Red Sox owner Bob Quinn attempted to hire manager Joe McCarthy away from the New York Yankees. After he was unable to get McCarthy, Quinn hired Collins. Collins was not signed to a contract, but Quinn promised he would keep the job "as long...he hustles and runs the club to my satisfaction".[9] The Red Sox improved to 62–90 in their first season under Collins. However, in 1932 Boston started the season 11–44 and Collins was replaced by Marty McManus.[10] Following his departure from the Red Sox, Collins scouted for the Detroit Tigers. In 1942, Collins briefly returned to baseball as manager of the Hillies.[3]
After his managing career ended, Collins opened a restaurant Collins Bar & Grill in Newton.[11] Collins and his wife, Elizabeth, had three daughters and two sons.[12] One of their sons, Robert, was killed during the Battle of Iwo Jima.[13] Collins' grandson, Bob Gallagher, played first base for the Red Sox, Astros and Mets from 1972 to 1975.[3]
