Fay Thomas a.ka. Peter J. Collins
Fay Thomas’ introduction to professional baseball was unusual. During the summer of 1925, he and a college friend decided to drive from California to Michigan. They ran out of money in Ottumwa, Iowa, where there was a team in the Class D Mississippi Valley League. Thomas worked out with the team and was signed using the name Peter J. Collins to avoid losing his college eligibility. He had a 3-3 record when a scout for Oklahoma City (Western) bought his contract and told Thomas to report to his new team. Instead, when Thomas got his paycheck from Ottumwa, he and his friend got in their car and headed for Michigan. He pitched for USC in 1926 and was signed by the New York Giants. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City was carrying “Collins” on its Suspended List for failure to report. Thomas went to spring training with the Giants in 1927 and was optioned to Buffalo, then recalled in mid-season. He got into nine games with New York, going 0-0, 3.38.
When Oklahoma City owner Jack Holland realized that Thomas and Collins were one-and-the-same person, he protested to Commissioner Kenesaw M. Landis. Thomas was returned to Oklahoma City and placed on the Suspended List for one year and he was ordered to return $2,500 to the Giants. He was eligible to play again late in 1928, went 0-2 in 7 games for Oklahoma City. He had a successful career in the minors with various organizations 214 wins 163 losses and a 3.53 ERA. Thomas had 2,027 strikeouts in 3,180 innings. In the big leagues he was 9-20, with a 4.95 ERA.
