Dots Miller
Encyclopedia
John Barney "Dots" Miller (September 9, 1886 - September 5, 1923) was a professional baseball player who played first base
and second base
in Major League Baseball
from 1909 to 1921. He would play for the Pittsburgh Pirates
, Philadelphia Phillies
, and St. Louis Cardinals
.
pennant and their first World Series
title. Miller was the regular second baseman from 1909 to 1911 but then moved over to first base.
Reportedly, he got the nickname "Dots" after someone asked Miller's thick-accented teammate Honus Wagner
where they could find John Miller. Wagner pointed to Miller and replied, "Dots (That's) Miller."
In 1913, Miller was traded to the Cardinals, where he continued his good hitting and fielding for the next few years.
In 1918 Miller's career was interrupted while he served in World War I
.
Miller became manager of a Pacific Coast League
team, the San Francisco Seals, in 1922. He led the club to the pennant in his first year. The next season, he fell ill with tuberculosis
and died on September 5.
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
and second base
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
in 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...
from 1909 to 1921. He would play for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, and St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
.
Career
Miller started his major league career with the Pirates. In his rookie season, he drove in 87 runs and helped Pittsburgh win the American LeagueAmerican League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
pennant and their first World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
title. Miller was the regular second baseman from 1909 to 1911 but then moved over to first base.
Reportedly, he got the nickname "Dots" after someone asked Miller's thick-accented teammate Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
where they could find John Miller. Wagner pointed to Miller and replied, "Dots (That's) Miller."
In 1913, Miller was traded to the Cardinals, where he continued his good hitting and fielding for the next few years.
In 1918 Miller's career was interrupted while he served in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Miller became manager of a Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
team, the San Francisco Seals, in 1922. He led the club to the pennant in his first year. The next season, he fell ill with tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
and died on September 5.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball players with 100 triples
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases