June 12, 2013: Kalamazoo, MI – John Collins became the 21^st player in PEBA history, and the first Kalamazoo Badger, to reach 1,000 base hits.  Collins reached this milestone tonight in a game against the Bakersfield Bears at Portage Park.  The memorable hit was achieved on a 1-0 pitch from Roberto Alonso in the bottom of the third inning.  The single resulted in an RBI for Collins, as Álex Martínez came around from second to score the first Badgers run of the game.  Kalamazoo would score one more run in the bottom of the eleventh as they went on to defeat Bakersfield 2-1 in this extra inning nail-biter.

16,266 fans were on hand as part of the special milestone-themed promotional dates that are scheduled for all home games in June.  Since this major milestone was achieved during this game, the Badgers also held several special prize drawings, for which all fans in attendance were eligible.  The grand prize, an autographed John Collins game jersey, was awarded to self-proclaimed long-suffering Badgers fan Nick Davis of nearby Eastwood.

As of the end of play on June 12, the Kalamazoo Badgers’ top five all-time hit list now looks like this:

1. John Collins – 1,000

2. Brett Hurst – 829

3. Raúl García – 701

4. Álex Martínez – 534

5. George Crocker – 488

In a BNN interview following the game, Collins was asked how he felt about reaching 1,000 base hits.  Collins emphatically responded, “It feels very special, especially since all 1,000 of these hits were in a Kalamazoo Badgers uniform.”

When asked if he cared to comment on his future as a Badger, Collins stated, “I am sure the Badgers will do the right thing.  I would like nothing more than to retire as a Badger.”

Collins continued, “Badger green is all I have ever worn.  I can’t imagine wearing another uniform.”

John Collins’s contract is set to expire at the end of this season.  Badgers fans are certainly hoping that a contract extension can be negotiated before the season ends.  Collins will be turning 35 years of age this September and will surely be looking for a long-term deal.  This likely will not fit with the Badgers’ rebuilding plans.  Although Collins would be a valuable and welcome veteran voice in the clubhouse, the financial commitment is likely more than Kalamazoo ownership would be willing to commit.

As he was departing the stadium, Badgers owner Harry Bell was asked if he cared to comment on future plans for Collins.  Bell simply stated, “I have entrusted the reconstruction of this franchise to my GM and his front office staff.  I have the utmost confidence in their judgment.”

Bell went on to say, “My executive staff is fully aware of my expectations for this club.  They have no choice but to make the right decisions.  That is what I pay them to do.”

It’s this writer’s humble opinion that the Badger brass will not be bringing Collins back for the 2014 season.  I suppose that, for the time being, we will need to sit back and wait for events to unfold.