Phil Collier
Encyclopedia
Phil Collier was a sports writer who worked in the San Diego area for many years.
Collier began his career as a sportswriter in Baytown, Texas
in 1939. After a military service and a stint at Texas Christian University
, he joined the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
.
In San Diego, Collier covered the Pacific Coast League
San Diego Padres
until the Brooklyn Dodgers
moved to Los Angeles
. For the next decade, he covered both Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels games for the San Diego Tribune. Collier was the sportswriter who Sandy Koufax
called to inform the world of his sudden retirement.
When San Diego was awarded the San Diego Padres
, Collier began covering the team, which he would do for 18 seasons. In 1987, Collier became the national baseball columnist for the Tribune. He continued to write for the Tribune after their merger with the San Diego Union in 1992. He retired from the paper in 1996.
He was awarded the J. G. Taylor Spink Award in 1991, was inducted into the writers section of the Baseball Hall of Fame
.
He was born in Stanton, Texas
and died in San Diego, California
of prostate cancer
.
Collier began his career as a sportswriter in Baytown, Texas
Baytown, Texas
Baytown is a city within Harris County and partially in Chambers County in the Gulf Coast region of the U.S. state of Texas. Located within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, it lies along both State Highway 146 and Interstate 10. As of 2010, Baytown had an population of 71,802...
in 1939. After a military service and a stint at Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
, he joined the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is a major U.S. daily newspaper serving Fort Worth and the western half of the North Texas area known as the Metroplex. Its area of domination is checked by its main rival, The Dallas Morning News, which is published from the eastern half of the Metroplex. It is owned...
.
In San Diego, Collier covered the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres (PCL)
The San Diego Padres were a minor league baseball team which played in the Pacific Coast League from 1936 through 1968. The team that would eventually become the Padres was well traveled prior to moving to San Diego. It began its existence in 1903 as the Sacramento Solons, a charter member of the PCL...
until the Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. For the next decade, he covered both Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels games for the San Diego Tribune. Collier was the sportswriter who Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax
Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
called to inform the world of his sudden retirement.
When San Diego was awarded the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, Collier began covering the team, which he would do for 18 seasons. In 1987, Collier became the national baseball columnist for the Tribune. He continued to write for the Tribune after their merger with the San Diego Union in 1992. He retired from the paper in 1996.
He was awarded the J. G. Taylor Spink Award in 1991, was inducted into the writers section of the Baseball Hall of Fame
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
.
He was born in Stanton, Texas
Stanton, Texas
Stanton is a city in and the county seat of Martin County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,556 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Stanton is located at ....
and died in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
.