Players Alliance Launches Six-City Coaches Extensive With MLBbros Marquis Grissom, Lou Collier, Marvin Freeman and Lenny Webster

Players Alliance Launches Six-City Coaches Extensive With MLBbros Marquis Grissom, Lou Collier, Marvin Freeman and Lenny Webster

by | Apr 22, 2024 | THE THREE SPOT

The Players Alliance continues to impact inner-city communities in numerous ways. This month, the organization kicked off Jackie Robinson weekend with the launch of their six-city Coaches Intensive.

 

This Coaches Intensive features MLBbro greats Marquis Grissom, Lou Collier, Lenny Webster, and Marvin Freeman.

 

These former MLB players are providing local coaches with a great opportunity to absorb information they’ve learned from their playing days and develop their skills and knowledge as coaches.

 

 

An opportunity like this certainly doesn’t come every day and the fact that the Players’ Alliance is doing this, just shows how much they care about growing the game of baseball in Black communities.

 

The six-city tour started in Detroit during the weekend of April 19-21 and made a stop in Baltimore this past weekend.

 

They’ll also visit Jacksonville, Chicago, New Orleans, and Memphis.

 

Let’s take a look at the careers these former MLBbro’s had when they were playing in the big leagues.

 

Marquis Grissom

Grissom played in the majors for 17 seasons and accomplished a lot during his tenure. He finished his career with a .272 batting average with 2,251 hits, 227 home runs, 967 RBI, and 429 stolen bases.

 

The former outfielder is a two-time all-star selection, a four-time Gold Glove winner, and a two-time National League stolen base leader.

 

Grissom also won a World Series title in 1995 with the Atlanta Braves and was named the 1997 ALCS MVP with the Cleveland Indians. The numbers and awards speak for themselves–Grissom was a flat-out baller and was a player you wanted to have on your team.

 

Lou Collier

 

Collier appeared in 315 major league games from 1997 to 2004. During that span, he played for five different teams.

During his career, he was considered a utility player and could play multiple positions. He hit .248 with eight home runs and 78 RBI. Collier also spent time playing in the Korean Baseball Organization League from 2005 to 2006, where he hit 22 home runs and had 86 RBI.

 

 

Collier’s son, Cam, is currently playing in the Cincinnati Reds organization and is playing for the High-A affiliate Dayton Dragons.

 

Lenny Webster

 

 

Webster was a catcher and played in the league from 1989 to 2000. You don’t see many Black catchers at the Major League level, but Webster was one of the most talented in the game during his playing days. He began his career with the Minnesota Twins and played with four other teams before ending his career with the Montreal Expos.

 

Webster has a .254 career batting average with 33 home runs and 176 RBI.

 

Marvin Freeman

 

Freeman pitched in the big leagues from 1986 to 1996 for four different teams. Listed at 6-foot-7, Freeman was a dominating presence on the mound.

 

 

 

He finished his career with a 35-28 record with a 4.64 ERA.

 

His best season came in 1994 with the Colorado Rockies. Freeman finished that season with a 10-2 record with a 2.80 ERA. That season he finished fourth in the Cy Young Award voting.

 

These former players have a lot of experience and it’s great to see them giving back to the community. 

 

The Players Alliance Rep & Former MLBbro All-Star Adam Jones At 2022 MLB All-Star Game

 

The mission of the Players Alliance is to “Address baseball’s systemic barriers to equity and inclusion by creating pathways to opportunities on and off the field for an undeniable pipeline of black talent.”

 

By doing clinics and events like this, the Players Alliance is successfully achieving its mission and is a key contributor to helping baseball become more accessible in Black communities. 

 

 

Cincinnati Reds 2022 First-Round Pick ‘Bam Bam’ Cam Collier Shines In Minor League Debut | He Mashes On Every Level

Cincinnati Reds 2022 First-Round Pick ‘Bam Bam’ Cam Collier Shines In Minor League Debut | He Mashes On Every Level

by | Apr 18, 2023 | THE THREE SPOT

When the Cincinnati Reds took rookie “Bam Bam” Cam Collier with the No.18 pick of the last year’s 2022 MLB Draft, the 17-year-old sensation was looked at as the top high school player in the nation. The fact that the six-foot-two- and 215-pound third baseman fell that far in the draft was a shock for many, but a blessing in disguise for a rising Reds franchise.

 

 

2022 MLB Draft Prospect Cam Collier On Dad Lou Collier’s Guidance: “It’s Easier Going Through The Draft Process Because He Knows How It Goes”

 

 

 

After lighting up the competition at Chipola JC in Florida with a .333/.419/.537 slash line, Collier didn’t miss a beat once the Reds assigned him to Arizona Complex League. There the dynamic teen continued his hitting and base-reaching ways with a .370/.514/.630 slash line, along with seven walks in just nine games.

 

  

Collier seemed to bring that same workman’s approach coming into the 2023 season with the Low-A Daytona Tortugas. In his debut he reached base five times going 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI, and three walks. Collier demonstrated patience at the plate rarely seen by veterans. But that’s what makes him special.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collier Is No.63 Ranked MLB Prospect And Reds No.4 Ranked Prospect

 

  

Collier’s play and approach at the plate isn’t really a surprise to the Reds brass. In fact, scouting director, Joe Katuska says that’s what drew them to him.

 

 

“We think he has a really well-rounded package, but it leads with the bat and the very advanced hit tool.”

 

 

He Gets It From His Papa

 

 

Collier’s approach to the game is also something that the Reds brass are excited about. That can be linked to his dad Lou Collier, a former MLB player himself. Having that type of pedigree is wonderful, but it’s the tireless work ethic and tremendous power at the plate that stands out with Cam.

 

 

 

“We saw a player with a very pure approach at the plate,” Reds farm director Shawn Pender said. “He creates tremendous natural power for a young kid, uses the whole field and drives the ball to opposite field.”

 

 

 

 

Collier’s Strength Is Opposite Field Hitting

 

 

 

 

In last season’s small sample size, just 10 games, Collier demonstrated that opposite field ability. He collected nine hits through those ten games, four went to centerfield and five to left field. Not a single hit by the powerful lefty went to right field. The Reds view him as their future third baseman. Although they have other prospects, he’s the most talented. As soon as his defense catches up to his already advanced stick, he will be ready for his MLB introduction. 

 

 

The team has already stated that defensive improvements will come with reps and experience on the “hot corner.” If that happens, he’ll definitely be an everyday player for the Reds by the start of 2025 or soon thereafter.