Aaron Miles

For the professional basketball player, seeAaron Miles (basketball).

Aaron Miles
Miles with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011
Second baseman
Born:(1976-12-15)December 15, 1976 Pittsburg, California,U.S.
Batted:Switch Threw:Right
MLB debut
September 11, 2003, for the Chicago White Sox
Last MLB appearance
September 27, 2011, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB statistics
Batting average	.281
Home runs	19
Runs batted in	229
Teams
Chicago White Sox(2003) Colorado Rockies(2004–2005) St. Louis Cardinals(2006–2008) Chicago Cubs(2009) St. Louis Cardinals(2010) Los Angeles Dodgers(2011)
Career highlights and awards
World Serieschampion (2006)

Aaron Wade Miles(born December 15, 1976) is an American formerprofessional baseballsecond baseman.He played nine seasons inMajor League Baseball(MLB) from 2003 to 2011 for theChicago White Sox,Colorado Rockies,St. Louis Cardinals,Chicago Cubs,andLos Angeles Dodgers.He also managed thePittsburg Diamondsof thePacific Association.In 2024, Miles was named infield and third base coach of the newly formedOakland Ballersof thePioneer League.On July 21, 2024, the Ballers fired managerMicah Franklinand named Miles interim manager.

Professional career

Houston Astros

Miles was originally drafted by theHouston Astrosin the 19th round of the1995 amateur draft.He played in the Astros minor league system through 2000, making it as high as Class-A+ with theKissimmee Cobrasin 2000, where he hit.292 in 75 games. He was a member of theMidwest LeagueAll-Star team in 1999.

Chicago White Sox

He was selected by theChicago White Soxin the minor league portion of theRule 5 draftin 2000. He played with the Double-ABirmingham Baronsin 2001-2002. In 2002, he was theMost Valuable Playerof the Double-ASouthern Leaguewhile hitting.322 for the Barons. He was promoted to Triple-A with theCharlotte Knightsin 2003 and was theInternational League Rookie of the Year.He made his Major League debut on September 11, 2003, against theMinnesota Twinsas a pinch hitter and recorded his first hit on September 18, also against Minnesota. In eight games with the White Sox, he had four hits (including three doubles) in 12 at-bats.

Colorado Rockies

Miles was traded to theColorado Rockieson December 2, 2003, forJuan Uribe.He appeared in 134 games with the Rockies and finished fourth in the voting for the 2004National League Rookie of the Year,while hitting.293 in 134 games.

St. Louis Cardinals

Miles was traded by the Rockies to theSt. Louis Cardinalson December 7, 2005 (withLarry Bigbie) forRay King.

He won aWorld Serieswith the Cardinals in 2006.

On August 4, Miles threw a perfect 8th inning in a 12–1 loss to theWashington Nationals.Of Miles' nine pitches, six were for strikes. It was the first time he had pitched since he was 14 years old. Miles pitched during the game when Cardinals' managerTony La Russaasked his pitching coach,Dave Duncan,"Who's our shortest reliever?" The tongue-in-cheek answer was Miles, at 5' 8 ". His pitching career took a turn for the worse later that season. On September 20, he pitched the 9th inning against the Houston Astros and was touched for three hits, including a two-run home run byJ. R. Towles.It was Towles' first career major league home run. On June 13, 2008, Miles would make his third pitching appearance, this time against thePhiladelphia Phillies.With the Phillies leading, 20–2, Miles came in to finish off the game with a perfect 9th inning while striking outJimmy Rollins.

On August 31, a foul ball hit by Miles struck teammateJuan Encarnaciónin the face while he was in the on-deck circle, and effectively ended Encarnación's career. Encarnación suffered multiple fractures to his left eye socket and an injury to his left eye and missed the remainder of the 2007 season. The injury was regarded by the Cardinals' head team physician, Dr. George Paletta, to be the worst injury he'd ever seen to the face on a baseball player. Paletta said the eye socket was essentially crushed on impact. Paletta also said the eyeball had not been ruptured.

Miles re-signed with the Cardinals for a one-year deal on January 4, 2008, after a non-tender and short free-agency status in December 2007.

On July 20, 2008, Miles got his first walk-off hit, a one-outgrand slamto beat the San Diego Padres, 9–5.

Chicago Cubs

On December 31, 2008, Miles signed a two-year deal with theChicago Cubs.He was the primary backup infielder tosecond basemanMike Fontenot,shortstopRyan Theriotandthird basemanAramis Ramírez,after losing the starting job at second to Fontenot during Spring Training.

Oakland/Cincinnati/St. Louis

On December 3, 2009, Miles was traded along withJake Foxto theOakland AthleticsforJeff Grayand two minor league prospects. On February 1, 2010, he was again traded along with a player to be named later to theCincinnati RedsforWilly TaverasandAdam Rosales.He was released on April 14, after being designated for assignment at the end of spring training.

On April 27, 2010, Miles signed a minor league deal to return to the Cardinals.After a brief AAA stop, he rejoined the major league roster.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Aaron Miles with the Dodgers, April 2011

On February 7, 2011, Miles signed a minor league deal with theLos Angeles Dodgerswith an invitation to spring training. He made the opening day roster. He had his first home run as a Dodger and first in over 530 at-bats [over two years] vsMinnesota TwinsstarterBrian DuensingatTarget Fieldon June 28, 2011. Miles played in 136 games with the Dodgers, the most of his career, primarily due to injuries toJuan UribeandCasey Blake.He hit.275 with 17 doubles. After not signing with any team for 2012, he re-signed with the Dodgers on a minor league contract on May 11. He played in 18 games with the AAAAlbuquerque Isotopes,hitting.235.

Miles announced his retirement on June 13, 2012.

Coaching career

Pittsburg Mettle/Diamonds

For the 2014 season, he was hired as the bench coach for the newPittsburg Mettlefranchise of thePacific Association.In 2015, Miles became manager of the renamed Diamonds.In his first season, the Diamonds saw a 16 game win improvement, earning him Manager of the Year honors.Over four seasons, Miles held a 146–167 record.

Dublin Leprechauns

In 2023, Miles was to appear as manager for the Dublin Leprechauns inaugural season of thePecos League,but only assisted in a few games instead.

Oakland Ballers

In 2024, Miles was named infield and third base coach of the newly formedOakland Ballersof thePioneer League.On July 21, 2024, the Ballers fired managerMicah Franklinand named Miles interim manager.

Managerial record

As of July 21, 2024

Team	Year	Regular season					Postseason
		Games	Won	Lost	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Win %	Result
PIT	2015	77	38	39	.494	3rd	–	–	–	–
PIT	2016	78	36	42	.462	3rd	–	–	–	–
PIT	2017	78	36	42	.462	t-2nd	–	–	–	–
PIT	2018	80	36	44	.450	4th	0	1	.000	Lost semi-final(SON)
PIT total		313	146	167	.466		0	1	.000
OAK	2024	0	0	0	–	TBD	–	–	–	–
Total		313	146	167	.466		0	1	.000

Personal life

He is a graduate ofAntioch High School,inAntioch,California.He lives inBrentwood, California,with his wife Lauren, and four children.

Inspring trainingof 2000, several of his teammates from theHouston Astrosorganization were in their hotel when two gunmen burst into their room. Miles was in the next room and the gunmen took him hostage. The police arrived before the gunmen were able to take him to their getaway car, but one gunman fled the scene. The other forced Miles back into his room where he ended up wrestling the gunman to the ground. The police entered the room and shot the gunman while Miles held him to the floor. The gunman survived his wounds, and his accomplice was later captured.

External links

• Career statistics and player information fromMLB,orESPN,orBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors)