Corky Miller
Encyclopedia
Corky Abraham Phillip Miller http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/baseball/archive/2005/04/corky_miller_wh.shtml (born March 18, 1976 in Yucaipa, California
) is a Major League Baseball
catcher
. His real given name is Corky and he was given two middle names (Abraham and Phillip).
in the 23rd Round (629th overall) of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft
, but he did not sign, opting to attend the University of Nevada, Reno
.
as an undrafted free agent in 1998. He made his major league debut in 2001, staying with the Reds through 2004.
Triple-A roster. Miller was promoted to Boston on August 5, , but his tenure in Boston would not last long. After appearing in just one game (a 7-6 defeat against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on August 6, 2006), Miller would be designated for assignment on August 14, 2006, to make room for Craig Breslow
, who was promoted from Pawtucket.
after the season and signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.
On July 31, , the Braves called up Miller to fill up the backup catcher role after previous backup catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia
was traded that day. He made his debut on August 2, hitting a pinch-hit infield single
. On August 5, Miller hit a game-tying RBI
double
, his first extra-base hit since , against the Colorado Rockies
. On September 15, Miller hit his first home run
since 2002.
On August 1, , Miller was designated for assignment, and was eventually sent outright to the minors. He returned to the Braves active roster on September 1.
As a non-roster invitee to White Sox spring training, Miller impressed enough to be awarded the back-up catcher's role to A.J. Pierzynski. In his first regular season game for the White Sox on April 11, 2009 (vs. the Minnesota Twins
) Miller went 2-4, with 2RBI and a run scored. The game finished in a 8-0 Sox win.
for outfielder Norris Hopper
. On August 25, 2009 Miller was called up to the Cincinnati Reds
from the Louisville Bats
. He became a free agent following the season, but resigned to a minor league deal. Miller started the 2010 season not on the Reds 40-man roster, but after the injury of Ryan Hanigan
, he was placed on the active roster and took over backup duties to Ramon Hernandez
. He continues to fill the backup role, now with Hanigan and Hernandez switching spots on the disabled list
. His starts come mostly as catcher for the Reds' young arms, such as Travis Wood
and Matt Maloney
, since he caught them in Louisville. He was outrighted back to Louisville on July 22, 2010, after Hernandez came back from the DL.
Miller was called up on September 1. The Reds outrighted him from the roster in the offseason and he refused his assignment, becoming a free agent. They resigned him to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
.
Yucaipa, California
Yucaipa is a city located east of San Bernardino, in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The population was 51,367 at the 2010 census, up from 41,207 at the 2000 census...
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
. His real given name is Corky and he was given two middle names (Abraham and Phillip).
College career
Miller was drafted by the California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
in the 23rd Round (629th overall) of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft
1994 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1994 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*A.J. Pierzynski , Minnesota Twins, 3rd round*Bobby Howry , San Francisco Giants, 5th round...
, but he did not sign, opting to attend the University of Nevada, Reno
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
.
First stint with Reds
Miller signed with the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
as an undrafted free agent in 1998. He made his major league debut in 2001, staying with the Reds through 2004.
Boston Red Sox
He was signed by the Boston Red Sox on April 25, 2006, and added to the Pawtucket Red SoxPawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
Triple-A roster. Miller was promoted to Boston on August 5, , but his tenure in Boston would not last long. After appearing in just one game (a 7-6 defeat against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on August 6, 2006), Miller would be designated for assignment on August 14, 2006, to make room for Craig Breslow
Craig Breslow
Craig Andrew Breslow is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics. He throws left-handed, and is considered a lefty specialist....
, who was promoted from Pawtucket.
Atlanta Braves
Miller was granted free agencyFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
after the season and signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.
On July 31, , the Braves called up Miller to fill up the backup catcher role after previous backup catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Jarrod Scott Saltalamacchia , nicknamed "Salty" is an American professional baseball catcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.His last name is the longest in Major League Baseball history...
was traded that day. He made his debut on August 2, hitting a pinch-hit infield single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
. On August 5, Miller hit a game-tying RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, his first extra-base hit since , against the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. On September 15, Miller hit his first home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
since 2002.
On August 1, , Miller was designated for assignment, and was eventually sent outright to the minors. He returned to the Braves active roster on September 1.
Chicago White Sox
Miller became a free agent following the 2008 season and signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.As a non-roster invitee to White Sox spring training, Miller impressed enough to be awarded the back-up catcher's role to A.J. Pierzynski. In his first regular season game for the White Sox on April 11, 2009 (vs. the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
) Miller went 2-4, with 2RBI and a run scored. The game finished in a 8-0 Sox win.
Second stint with Reds
On June 26, 2009 Miller was traded to the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for outfielder Norris Hopper
Norris Hopper
Norris Stephen Hopper is an outfielder who is presently with the Somerset Patriots. He attended Shelby High School, and in addition to his baseball abilities was an outstanding quarterback for the school's football team...
. On August 25, 2009 Miller was called up to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
from the Louisville Bats
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
. He became a free agent following the season, but resigned to a minor league deal. Miller started the 2010 season not on the Reds 40-man roster, but after the injury of Ryan Hanigan
Ryan Hanigan
Ryan M. Hanigan is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Cincinnati Reds.Hanigan made his debut at the end of the season as a September call-up. He debuted on September 9 as a pinch hitter, and recorded his first major-league hit in that at-bat...
, he was placed on the active roster and took over backup duties to Ramon Hernandez
Ramón Hernández
Ramón José Hernández Marin is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher who plays for the Colorado Rockies. Previously, he played with the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres , Baltimore Orioles , and Cincinnati Reds .-Career:Hernández is a career .263 hitter with 144 home runs, 651 RBI, and 455...
. He continues to fill the backup role, now with Hanigan and Hernandez switching spots on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
. His starts come mostly as catcher for the Reds' young arms, such as Travis Wood
Travis Wood
Travis A. Wood , is an American Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds. He throws left-handed and bats right-handed....
and Matt Maloney
Matt Maloney (baseball)
Matthew M. "Matt" Maloney is an American Major League Baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.Maloney played college baseball at the University of Mississippi, and was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 3rd round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft.-Philadelphia Phillies...
, since he caught them in Louisville. He was outrighted back to Louisville on July 22, 2010, after Hernandez came back from the DL.
Miller was called up on September 1. The Reds outrighted him from the roster in the offseason and he refused his assignment, becoming a free agent. They resigned him to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
.