Kevin Millwood
Encyclopedia
Kevin Austin Millwood is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves
, Philadelphia Phillies
, Cleveland Indians
, Texas Rangers
, Baltimore Orioles
and Colorado Rockies
.
in North Carolina. He has a ballpark named for him in Bessemer City, where little league baseball games are held.
He was known at school as "El Diablo".
in the 11th round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft. After a couple of years in the minors
, Millwood made his debut with the Atlanta Braves on July 14, 1997. A year later, he won
17 games. Millwood formed a part of the Braves' star pitching rotation, which also consisted of Greg Maddux
, John Smoltz
and Tom Glavine
, which at that time was regarded by many as the best in the National League
.
The 1999 campaign was one of Millwood's best. He posted career-highs in wins (18, also achieved in 2002), ERA
(2.68), strikeout
s (205) and WHIP
(0.996). He finished third in the National League Cy Young voting
(losing to the Arizona Diamondbacks
' Randy Johnson
) and 26th on the National League MVP ballot. He was selected an All-Star
in 1999
, his only appearance in the Midsummer Classic.
for catcher
Johnny Estrada
, probably in order to cut their payroll in the midst of economic difficulties. He went 14-12 with his new team, including throwing a no-hitter
against the San Francisco Giants
on April 27 coming in the Phillies final season at the stadium. This was one of only two no-no's ever thrown at the now-demolished Veterans Stadium
. The other was thrown by Terry Mulholland
. He also led the majors in stolen base
s allowed, with 41.
with the Cleveland Indians
. He came back from injury well, leading the American League
in ERA (2.86). However, he managed a record of only 9-11, due to poor run support. During 2005, he again led the majors in stolen base
s allowed, with 33. He was tied for 6th in the balloting for the Cy Young Award.
signed Millwood to a five-year, $60 million deal.
In 2006, he and Vicente Padilla
won 15 games; a total not matched by a Rangers pitcher until Scott Feldman
in 2009.
In 2008, when batters did hit the ball against him, it was with uncommon success, as his .358 batting-average-against on balls in play was the highest in the major leagues.http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-batting-pitching.shtml 26% of all balls put in play against him were line drives, the highest percentage in the majors.http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-ratio-pitching.shtml
Through the end of the 2008 season, Millwood had compiled a career 143-111 record with 1,707 strikeouts and a 4.02 ERA in 2,115.2 innings
. He had a 3-3 career playoff record, with an ERA of 3.92.
on December 9, 2009, for Chris Ray
and a player to be named later
(later became left-handed pitcher Ben Snyder, a Rule 5 pick from San Francisco).
During the 2010 season, Millwood went 4-16 with a 5.10 earned run average
, leading the league in losses.
. After making three starts in the minor leagues, he opted out of his contract on May 1.
on May 19, 2011. He was released on August 7, exercising an opt-out clause.
. Millwood was called up August 10 to fill a void after an injury to Juan Nicasio
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, 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...
, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
and 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...
.
Personal life
Millwood graduated from Bessemer City High SchoolBessemer City High School
Bessemer City High School is a public high school in the Gaston County Schools school district located in Bessemer City, North Carolina, United States.Bessemer City High is home to the district's only Early College...
in North Carolina. He has a ballpark named for him in Bessemer City, where little league baseball games are held.
He was known at school as "El Diablo".
Atlanta Braves
Millwood was drafted by the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in the 11th round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft. After a couple of years in the minors
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, Millwood made his debut with the Atlanta Braves on July 14, 1997. A year later, he won
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
17 games. Millwood formed a part of the Braves' star pitching rotation, which also consisted of Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux
Gregory Alan Maddux , nicknamed "Mad Dog" and "The Professor", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the first pitcher in major league history to win the Cy Young Award for four consecutive years , a feat matched only by Randy Johnson...
, John Smoltz
John Smoltz
John Andrew Smoltz is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher and active sportscaster. He is best known for his prolific career of more than two decades with the Atlanta Braves, in which he garnered eight All-Star selections and received the Cy Young Award in 1996...
and Tom Glavine
Tom Glavine
Thomas Michael Glavine is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher.With 164 victories during the 1990s, Glavine was the second winningest pitcher in the National League, second only to teammate Greg Maddux's 176...
, which at that time was regarded by many as the best in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
.
The 1999 campaign was one of Millwood's best. He posted career-highs in wins (18, also achieved in 2002), ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(2.68), strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s (205) and WHIP
Walks plus hits per inning pitched
In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is a measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base...
(0.996). He finished third in the National League Cy Young voting
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
(losing to the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
' Randy Johnson
Randy Johnson
Randall David Johnson , nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 22-year career, he pitched for six different teams....
) and 26th on the National League MVP ballot. He was selected an All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
in 1999
1999 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1999 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 70th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
, his only appearance in the Midsummer Classic.
Philadelphia Phillies
Before the 2003 season, Millwood was traded by the Braves to the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia 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...
for 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...
Johnny Estrada
Johnny Estrada
Johnny Pulado Estrada III is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers and the Washington Nationals.Estrada was selected in the 17th round of the 1997 Major...
, probably in order to cut their payroll in the midst of economic difficulties. He went 14-12 with his new team, including throwing a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
against the San Francisco Giants
2003 San Francisco Giants season
The San Francisco Giants are an American baseball team.-Offseason:*November 15, 2002: Tsuyoshi Shinjo was released by the San Francisco Giants. *December 7, 2002: Marquis Grissom signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants....
on April 27 coming in the Phillies final season at the stadium. This was one of only two no-no's ever thrown at the now-demolished Veterans Stadium
Veterans Stadium
Philadelphia Veterans Stadium was a professional-sports, multi-purpose stadium, located at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...
. The other was thrown by Terry Mulholland
Terry Mulholland
Terence John Mulholland is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He threw left-handed and batted right-handed.-Early and personal life:...
. He also led the majors in stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s allowed, with 41.
Cleveland Indians
In 2005, Millwood signed a one-year contract as a free agentFree 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....
with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. He came back from injury well, leading the American League
American 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...
in ERA (2.86). However, he managed a record of only 9-11, due to poor run support. During 2005, he again led the majors in stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s allowed, with 33. He was tied for 6th in the balloting for the Cy Young Award.
Texas Rangers
On December 26, 2005, the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
signed Millwood to a five-year, $60 million deal.
In 2006, he and Vicente Padilla
Vicente Padilla
Vicente de la Cruz Padilla is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is a free agent. Padilla previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers...
won 15 games; a total not matched by a Rangers pitcher until Scott Feldman
Scott Feldman
Scott Feldman was a news anchor for News 12 Long Island for 22 years.-Early life:Feldman was born in St. Louis, Missouri, graduated from the University of Denver in 1971. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and National Guard....
in 2009.
In 2008, when batters did hit the ball against him, it was with uncommon success, as his .358 batting-average-against on balls in play was the highest in the major leagues.http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-batting-pitching.shtml 26% of all balls put in play against him were line drives, the highest percentage in the majors.http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-ratio-pitching.shtml
Through the end of the 2008 season, Millwood had compiled a career 143-111 record with 1,707 strikeouts and a 4.02 ERA in 2,115.2 innings
Innings
An inning, or innings, is a fixed-length segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably cricket and baseball during which one team attempts to score while the other team attempts to prevent the first from scoring. In cricket, the term innings is both singular and plural and is...
. He had a 3-3 career playoff record, with an ERA of 3.92.
Baltimore Orioles
Millwood was traded to the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
on December 9, 2009, for Chris Ray
Chris Ray
Christopher Thomas Ray is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Early life and career:...
and a player to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
(later became left-handed pitcher Ben Snyder, a Rule 5 pick from San Francisco).
During the 2010 season, Millwood went 4-16 with a 5.10 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, leading the league in losses.
New York Yankees
On March 25, 2011, Millwood was signed to a minor league contract by the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. After making three starts in the minor leagues, he opted out of his contract on May 1.
Boston Red Sox
Millwood signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
on May 19, 2011. He was released on August 7, exercising an opt-out clause.
Colorado Rockies
On August 8, 2011, Millwood signed a minor league contract with the Colorado RockiesColorado 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...
. Millwood was called up August 10 to fill a void after an injury to Juan Nicasio
Juan Nicasio
Juan Nicasio is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies....
.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
- List of Texas Rangers Opening Day starting pitchers