He was a local Chicago boy named Phil Collins, and he got his nickname because he constantly fidgeted on the mound, fingering the rosin bag, tugging at his trousers, and tramping around the mound. He got his start with the Cubs in 1923, and pitched exactly one game. He started the game, lasted five innings, and got the win. Unfortunately for Phil, he never pitched another game for his hometown team.

Fidgety Phil fidgeted around the minor leagues for six years after that, and didn't re-emerge in the big leagues until 1929. He eventually became the ace of the worst team in the league (The Philadelphia Phillies) and even won 16 games for them in 1930, but he always stunk against the Cubs. In 1930, he gave up five home runs and nine runs to the Cubs in two innings.