Bill Miller (right-handed pitcher)

Bill Miller
Pitcher
Born: (1910-04-12)April 12, 1910
Hannibal, Missouri, U.S.
Died: February 26, 1982(1982-02-26) (aged 71)
Hannibal, Missouri, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
October 2, 1937, for the St. Louis Browns
Last MLB appearance
October 2, 1937, for the St. Louis Browns
MLB statistics
Win–loss record0–1
Earned run average13.50
Strikeouts1
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams

William Francis Miller (April 12, 1910 – February 26, 1982) was an American professional baseball pitcher who worked in minor league baseball from 1936 through 1940; playing for such teams as the San Antonio Missions, the Hollywood Stars, and the Springfield Browns. He also played in one major league game on October 2, 1937, for the St. Louis Browns.

Biography

William Francis Miller was born on April 12, 1910, in Hannibal, Missouri.[1] He was a well-known local baseball player in Hannibal as a pitcher and outfielder.[2] In 1935, he pitched in two games for the Mexico All-Stars when they went to Moberly, Missouri, to play the Moberly Merchants.[3][4] Miller then played in the Texas League for the San Antonio Missions, a farm team of the St. Louis Browns, from 1936 to 1937.[1][5] He pitched in 25 games, starting 11, in 1936 and missed some time due to a sore arm.[5] In May 1937, he was activated from the team's ineligible list.[6] He finished the year with 24 games pitched, and 18 starts, for San Antonio while posting an 8–9 win-loss record and a 3.38 earned run average.[1]

On September 15, 1937, the Browns purchased Miller from the Missions.[7] Miller made his major league debut, and first start, on October 2, 1937, against the Chicago White Sox.[1] He retired the first five batters he faced but ended up leaving the game after giving up six earned runs in four innings.[8][1] In February 1938, Miller signed a contract with the Browns for the 1938 season.[5]

On April 5, 1938, the Browns optioned Miller to the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League.[9] He pitched in 14 games for the Stars in 1938.[1] He finished the 1938 season with the Toledo Mud Hens of the American Association.[1]

Miller returned to the Missions in 1939, but missed most of the year due to a serious illness.[10][1] In February 1940, the Browns invited Miller back to spring training, stating that they "have every assurance that Miller has regained his health and with it his possibilities as a pitcher."[10] However, Miller did not make the major league roster and played the 1940 season with the Springfield Browns of the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League.[1]

Miller died on February 26, 1982, in Hannibal at the age of 71.[1] He was buried at Hannibal's Holy Family Cemetery.[1] During his baseball career, he was noted for his good looks.[11][12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Bill Miller". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  2. ^ "Hannibal Ball Player With San Antonio". Moberly Monitor-Index and Moberly Evening Democrat. April 23, 1936. p. 6. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  3. ^ "Jonesburg Here For Game Sunday". The Daily News and Intelligencer. August 1, 1935. p. 4. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  4. ^ "All-Stars To Face Moberly". The Daily News and Intelligencer. August 2, 1935. p. 4. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "Pitcher Bill Miller Signed by Browns". The St. Louis Star and Times. February 9, 1938. p. 21. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  6. ^ "Bill Miller Opens With Win In Tulsa". San Antonio Express-News. May 13, 1937. p. 10. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  7. ^ "Bill Miller To Browns". The Kansas City Star. September 15, 1937. p. 14. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  8. ^ Wecke, Herman (October 3, 1937). "White Sox Rout Miller And Win From Browns". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. pp. 3B. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  9. ^ "Sign Pitcher". The San Francisco Call Bulletin. April 5, 1938. p. 13. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Browns Refuse to Give Up on Bill Miller". San Antonio Light. February 18, 1940. p. 23. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  11. ^ "[Untitled]". The Los Angeles Times. April 8, 1938. p. 15. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  12. ^ "Handsome Bill Miller". San Antonio Light. November 29, 1936. p. 9. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.