Dave Hollins was a professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues for 12 seasons. He was primarily a third baseman, but also played first base and designated hitter. Hollins was known for his strong arm and solid defensive skills, as well as his ability to hit for power and average.
Hollins was born on May 25, 1966 in Buffalo, New York. He attended Orchard Park High School, where he played baseball and football. After graduating in 1984, he was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 6th round of the MLB draft. However, he did not sign with the team and instead attended the University of South Carolina.
In 1987, Hollins was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 6th round of the MLB draft. He made his Major League debut with the team in 1990, and quickly established himself as a solid player. In his first full season in 1991, he hit .265 with 18 home runs and 93 RBI, and was named to the National League All-Star team.
Hollins continued to be a productive player for the Phillies over the next few seasons, hitting over .300 in both 1993 and 1994. He was a key member of the team that won the National League pennant in 1993, hitting .261 with 4 home runs and 14 RBI in the postseason.
After the 1994 season, Hollins became a free agent and signed with the Minnesota Twins. He played one season with the team before being traded to the Seattle Mariners in 1996. He played for the Mariners for one season before being traded to the Anaheim Angels in 1997.
Hollins played for the Angels for two seasons before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 1999. He played one season with the Blue Jays before being traded back to the Phillies in 2000. He played one final season with the Phillies in 2002 before retiring from baseball.
Over the course of his career, Hollins hit .260 with 112 home runs and 482 RBI. He was known for his ability to get on base, drawing over 800 walks in his career. He was also a solid defensive player, winning a Gold Glove award in 1993.
After retiring from baseball, Hollins worked as a hitting coach for several teams, including the Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Detroit Tigers. He also worked as a broadcaster for the Phillies and as a scout for the Minnesota Twins.
Overall, Dave Hollins had a successful career as a Major League baseball player. He was a productive player for several teams over the course of 12 seasons, and was known for his strong arm, solid defense, and ability to hit for power and average.
⚾