Dave Hollins: Ambassador

David Michael Hollins (born May 25, 1966) is an American former third baseman in Major League Baseball. Hollins played baseball at Orchard Park High School, where he graduated in 1984. He attended the University of South Carolina and played college baseball for them for three seasons.

Hollins was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 6th round of the 1987 amateur draft. After spending three seasons in the Padres’ minor league system, he was picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies in the rule 5 draft after the 1989 season. He spent six seasons with the Phillies, and was a member of their National League pennant winning team in 1993. During that same year, Hollins was also a member of the National League All-Star team. In 1996, he was traded from the Minnesota Twins to the Mariners for a player-to-be-named-later. That player turned out to be David Ortiz. Hollins returned briefly to the Phillies in 2002, making their 25-man roster. However, Hollins only had 17 at bats for the team and two hits before he was placed on the disabled list due to harmful spider bites that aggravated his diabetes. On May 21, 2003, Hollins announced his retirement.