Edmonton Retires Collins Number Before Last Home Game

[Chuck V]

Edmonton, Alberta -

Longtime Edmonton Jackrabbits slugger, Steven Collins III, had his number retired before the last game home game of his career at AGLS Stadium before an appreciative crowd of 23,662.

Before the game, Collins was honored at home plate with the keys to a vintage 2024 Harley Davison Heritage Classic. He was greeted at home plate by some of his old teammates such as Mitch Dalrymple and Amos Swallows, teammates from the 2038 and 2045 Championship teams. The crowd stood and applauded as other Jackrabbit greats took the field to honor Collins. The Harley was notable as it also had a rocking chair and a case of Ensure strapped to the back.

Collins was the #1 overall pick in the 2034 draft by the Jackrabbits who plucked Collins from Campbell High School as a 3B prospect. Collins shot up the minor league ladder, spending less than two seasons in the minors before making his debut in 2036. Collins would go on to become the starting 3B for the Jackrabbits as well as their table setter. Collins spent the first 12 seasons of his career in Edmonton and played for all three championship teams. A video message from Pedro Huerta, a member of the 2041 championship team and still in the league with the Vancouver Mounties was played for the crowd where a visibly moved Huerta talked about what a spark for the team Collins always provided and how he was the always the first to get to the ballpark and the last to leave. "'Scooter' led by example. He has always been mis amigo and his energy was muy bueno. I always tell 'Gonzo' (Longtime Manager Juan Carlos Gonzalez) to let Scooter go man! Every time Scooter led the league in stolen bases we won the championship, man!"

After the video greeting by Huerta, a video montage of Collins greatest hits was played on the videoboard. Decades of home runs, stolen bases, great plays at 3B (Collins was a two time Diamond Glover) and, of course, video of Collins hoisting the Monty Brewster Championship trophy not once, not twice, but three times.

After the Video montage was over and Collins had received yet another standing ovation, Jackrabbits' owner Jim Leonard presented Collins with a framed jersey with his customary #32, signed by the team. Leonard also read a proclamation from the Edmonton City Council proclaiming September 17th, 2059 to be Steven Collins III Day in Edmonton. Leonard then directed the crowds attention to the outfield wall where a tarp was dropped to reveal #32 on the wall, right next to #16, the retired number of former closer Jorge Huerta. Leonard then declared that Collins #32 would also be retired and that no other player would be allowed to wear that jersey number for the Edmonton Jackrabbits from this day forth. Leonard also went on to express his hope that Collins would become the first player in team history to be inducted into the BBA Hall of Fame as an Edmonton Jackrabbit.

At last Collins stepped up to the mic and delivered a heartfelt speech. Sometimes through tears and sometimes through laughter. Collins expressed his love for the game and everything it has meant to him. "I have always like the old adage that "90 feet between bases is the closest man has ever come to perfection." I have loved every minute of my 24 year career. I have always loved, not only the games and the crowds, but the work. As Pedro said in his STILL extremely broken English, I worked hard and loved every minute of it. I could always take another ground ball and I never lost a thing because I took some extra BP. I'm glad I had the teammates and managers I did. I learned something from each and every one of them and I love them for putting up with somebody like me who was sometimes a little too go-go. I've been lucky in that I was drafted by a first class organization like the Jackrabbits and I am thankful to the Leonard's for bringing me back here to finish my career. I especially want to thank the fans. I have always had great support here. Sometimes it was a little offbeat, like the woman who always tried to give me pot brownies for the charter flight, telling me I would relax at the plate better when I was in a slump. I very rarely encountered negative fans here in Edmonton. I've loved playing here and being a part of this city and this team. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you."

The Jackrabbits have one game left in Phoenix and then four on the road against the Rocky Mountain Oysters. Manager David Pinto announced on Sunday that Collins will start at 3B for the remaining five games.

[recte44]

He went two for five in the finale- pretty neat.