Stu Miller

Stu Miller
Pitcher
Born:(1927-12-26)December 26, 1927 Northampton, Massachusetts,U.S.
Died:January 4, 2015(2015-01-04)(aged 87) Cameron Park, California,U.S.
Batted:Right Threw:Right
MLB debut
August 12, 1952, for the St. Louis Cardinals
Last MLB appearance
April 23, 1968, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	105–103
Earned run average	3.24
Strikeouts	1,164
Saves	154
Teams
St. Louis Cardinals(1952–1954,1956) Philadelphia Phillies(1956) New York / San Francisco Giants(1957–1962) Baltimore Orioles(1963–1967) Atlanta Braves(1968)
Career highlights and awards
2×All-Star(1961,1961²) World Serieschampion (1966) NL ERA leader(1958) Pitched combinedno-hitteron April 30, 1967 San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame

Stuart Leonard Miller(December 26, 1927 – January 4, 2015), nicknamedThe Butterfly Man,was apitcherinMajor League Baseballwho played for theSt. Louis Cardinals(1952–56),Philadelphia Phillies(1956),New York/San Francisco Giants(1957–62),Baltimore Orioles(1963–67) andAtlanta Braves(1968). He batted and threw right-handed. In a 16-season career, Miller posted a 105–103 record with a 3.24earned run average,1164strikeouts,and 154savesin 704games pitched(93 as astarter).

Playing career

Miller was named anAll-Starfor the Giants in 1961.ManagerAlvin Darkthought Miller's 1961 season was the best of any relief pitcher who ever played for Dark. "It got so the starters would work seven innings and look to the bullpen expecting to see him running in."

He was involved in one of the more memorable moments inAll Star Gamehistory, albeit for an exaggeration of the event in question. In the ninth inning of the first of two1961All Star Games (two were played between1959and1962), which was played atCandlestick Park,a gust of wind caused Miller to sway slightly, resulting in abalk,which advancedRoger Maristo second andAl Kalineto third. In the embellished version, it is reported that the wind gust blew the 165-pound Miller off thepitcher's mound.Kaline later scored on an error byKen BoyeronRocky Colavito's ground ball, which tied the score at 3–3. One batter later, the wind caused catcherSmoky Burgessto dropTony Kubek's foul pop-up for an error. Miller bailed Burgess out by striking out Kubek, and afterYogi Berrareached base onDon Zimmer's error, Miller gotHoyt Wilhelmto fly out to left to end the inning. In the top of the 10th inning, the defense behind Miller almost did him in;Nellie Foxwalked and scored all the way from first on Boyer's three-base throwing error (the second by Boyer in as many innings) on Kaline's ground ball. Miller's teammates bailed him out in the bottom of the inning and made him the winning pitcher;Hank Aaronsingled and scored on a double by Miller's Giant teammateWillie Maysto tie the score, then Mays scored the winning run onRoberto Clemente's single.

In 1962, Miller had his highest ERA since 1956, posting a 4.12 mark in 59 games (107 innings pitched), going 5–8 with 19 saves.Thinking he was washed up, theGiantstraded him along withJohn OrsinoandMike McCormickto theBaltimore OriolesforJack Fisher,Billy HoeftandJimmie Cokeron December 15, 1962.He responded with a strong 1963 season in which the Associated Press reported, "Little Stuart has never been better."His record on the year was only 5–8, identical to his numbers from a season ago, but Miller led theAmerican Leaguein games (71), games finished (59), and saves (27) now serving as the Oriole closer; his ERA was 2.24, lowest since his rookie season.He andLeon Wagnerwere tied for 19th in AL MVP voting after the season.Miller finished seventh in MVP voting in 1965, a year in which he had a 14–7 record, a 1.89 ERA, and 24 saves.His 1.89 ERA remains the lowest in franchise history since the team moved from St. Louis after the 1953 season.

On April 30, 1967,Steve Barberand Miller combined to pitch ano-hitterfor the Orioles against theDetroit Tigers,but would lose 2–1. Miller entered after Barber, who walked ten batters, gave up the tying run on awild pitchwith two outs. A ground ball to shortstop should have ended it for Miller, butMark Belangermisplayed it, hiserrorallowing the winning run to score.

On May 14, 1967, he gave upMickey Mantle's 500th career home run.

Jim Palmercredited Miller for helping him become a better pitcher. "I learned from guys like Stu Miller. I sat out in the bullpen with him when I was nineteen and watched and listened. It was like graduate school."

Stu Miller Field in Northampton, Massachusetts

Pitching Style

Miller's "Butterfly Man" nickname came around as a result of his ability to fool hitters with a slowcurveball.His fastball only topped out in the 80-mph range, but Miller relied on a deceptive delivery to get batters out. "He was the epitome of an off-speed pitcher, but he could get people out," teammateEddie Wattsaid of Miller. "He had just tremendous deception and no fear at all." According to Miller, a catcher told him he could catch his pitches with pliers. "Really, my fastball was in the mid-80s, at most, and the changeup was a good 8 mph less. But both pitches looked the same, which was the secret to my deception," Miller said.

Death

Miller died January 4, 2015, at his home inCameron Park, California,aged 87 after a brief illness.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders
• List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders

Further reading

• Klingaman, Mike (July 14, 2009)."Catching Up With...former Oriole Stu Miller".The Toy Department (blog).The Baltimore Sun.
• Parnass, Larry (September 12–13, 2015)."Northampton baseball field to be dedicated to major leaguer Stu Miller".Cities & Towns.Daily Hampshire Gazette.Northampton, Massachusetts. p. B1.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
• Szlosek, Rich (September 5, 2014)."Rich Szlosek: The Northampton ballplayer who went far: Stu Miller".Daily Hampshire Gazette.Northampton, Massachusetts.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.

External links

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