Autographed photo of Cubs' ball girl, Marla Collins

An attractive young woman, dressed in Cubbie hot pants, chasing after balls was a summer sideshow that satisfied many a Chicago Cubs fan in the early to mid-80s.  Marla Collins became Major League Baseball’s “first lady” when she signed on as the Cubs’ ball girl in 1982.  Her job was simple:  Shag some balls and make sure the plate ump was always fully stocked with baseballs.  So what was so mesmerizing about that??  Well, I think legendary announcer Harry Caray can field this one:

“I think she is absolutely sensational,” Caray said. “It adds a little spice to the enjoyment of the baseball game, and you can tell from the reaction of the fans how much they love it.”

The fans swooned and Caray focused even less than normal on the game at hand.  The beautiful Collins was seemingly as popular as any player during that time period; so sought after that it cost her job.  Twenty-three years ago today, Collins was fired by the Cubs after she posed nude for the September 1986  issue of Playboy Magazine.

The photos were accompanied by shots of Collins in her Cubs uniform, and with Caray pointing to a tattoo on her thigh, according to published reports.

I am certain the Cubs did not hire Collins because she could track down a screaming liner better than anyone else…oh no, no, no.  In hypocytic fashion, they essentially fired her for the same reason they hired her.

The September 1986 issue of Playboy Magazine featuring Collins

This article is an expanded version of The Jaunt’s “Today in Sports Venue History” updates on Twitter.  Be sure to follow for daily (or as daily as I wanna be) updates, as well as site news and other banter.

Source:
Ballgirl A Star On Cubs Teams Of 1980s [CBS 2 - WBBM]

Top Photo by Johngy