Royals reliever mistaken for smaller version of Arrieta
Tim Collins, a 26-year-old reliever for the Kansas City Royals, didn't pitch during the 2015 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, so he must've been pleasantly surprised when he was sort of recognized during a recent trip to the Pottery Barn.
Guy at pottery barn: do you follow much baseball?
Me: yes
PB guy: I know you're not him but you look just like @JArrieta34 .
Me: oh thanks!
— Tim Collins (@Timcollins55) January 17, 2016
Outside their dark hair and beards, however, Collins and Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta don't share many similarities. While Collins (a left-hander) has been a core piece of the Royals' bullpen in years past, he doesn't have quite the hardware that Arrieta (a right-hander) began piling up last season, including a no-hitter, Cy Young, and 22 wins.
There's also their difference in height, of course: Arrieta stands 6-foot-4, while "Tiny" Tim Collins - the 23rd-shortest player to ever pitch - measures in at 5-foot-7. Not that Collins needed reminding.
PB guy: yea you should go to Chicago I bet people would think you're him..... He's a little taller though.
Me: yup a little bit
— Tim Collins (@Timcollins55) January 17, 2016
Collins and the Royals avoided arbitration earlier this offseason by agreeing to a one-year, $1.475-million contract for 2016.
- With h/t to MLB Cut 4