Roscoe Miller
Encyclopedia
Roscoe Clyde Miller was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball
who played parts of four seasons (1901–1904) with the Detroit Tigers
, New York Giants
and Pittsburgh Pirates
. For his career, he compiled an 39-45 record in 102 appearances, with an 3.45 earned run average
and 198 strikeout
s. His nicknames were Roxy and Rubberlegs.
in their first season in the new American League
, and finished with a record of 23-13—the first 20 game season by a Detroit Tigers pitcher. In 1901, he also had 35 complete games (still an American League rookie record), 3 shutouts, 79 strikeouts, and a 2.95 ERA—89 points below the league average. His Adjusted ERA+
of 130 was 5th in the AL behind Cy Young
. He was also among the league leaders in wins (4th) and win percentage (6th) in the AL's inaugural season.
Two games in September 1901 illustrate his strengths and weaknessess. On Labor Day 1901, the Tigers picked up 21 infield assists
(including 12 by shortstop Kid Elberfeld
) to support Miller—still the American League record for infield assists. Three days later, Miller lost his cool in an 11-9 loss to the Philadelphia Athletics, inexplicably lobbing the ball and grinning as the A's batter hit it, then throwing a bunt into the stands allowing three runs to score.
Miller could not duplicate the success of his rookie season, losing 20 games in 1902, and never again having a winning record. After a rough start to the 1902 season, Miller jumped mid-season to the New York Giants
to play with newly signed Giants' manager John McGraw. Miller was 1-8 for McGraw and the Giants in the last half of 1902. Miller played his remaining three MLB seasons in the National League
.
In 1904, Miller sprained his wrist in a carriage accident. Miller was riding with 14 Pittsburgh Pirates
players when the rear wheel suddenly collapsed. Several players, including Miller and Kitty Bransfield
, were injured when the frightened horses bolted and dragged the carriage on its side. (Arthur Hittner, "Honus Wagner: The Life of Baseball's Flying Dutchman" (1996), p. 137)
In 1906, Miller pitched for the Des Moines Champions of the Western League
, where he led the circuit with a 28-15 record. Miller died in Corydon, Indiana
, aged 36, from unknown causes.
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...
who played parts of four seasons (1901–1904) with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
and 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...
. For his career, he compiled an 39-45 record in 102 appearances, with an 3.45 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...
and 198 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. His nicknames were Roxy and Rubberlegs.
Career
Miller's rookie season in 1901 was his best. He started 36 games for the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in their first season in the new 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...
, and finished with a record of 23-13—the first 20 game season by a Detroit Tigers pitcher. In 1901, he also had 35 complete games (still an American League rookie record), 3 shutouts, 79 strikeouts, and a 2.95 ERA—89 points below the league average. His Adjusted ERA+
Adjusted ERA+
Adjusted ERA+, often simply abbreviated to ERA+ or ERA plus, is a pitching statistic in baseball. It adjusts a pitcher's earned run average according to the pitcher's ballpark and the ERA of the pitcher's league...
of 130 was 5th in the AL behind Cy Young
Cy Young
Denton True "Cy" Young was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. During his 22-year baseball career , he pitched for five different teams. Young was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937...
. He was also among the league leaders in wins (4th) and win percentage (6th) in the AL's inaugural season.
Two games in September 1901 illustrate his strengths and weaknessess. On Labor Day 1901, the Tigers picked up 21 infield assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
(including 12 by shortstop Kid Elberfeld
Kid Elberfeld
Norman Arthur "Kid" Elberfeld , nicknamed "The Tabasco Kid," was a shortstop in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Reds , Detroit Tigers , New York Highlanders , Washington Senators , and Brooklyn Robins...
) to support Miller—still the American League record for infield assists. Three days later, Miller lost his cool in an 11-9 loss to the Philadelphia Athletics, inexplicably lobbing the ball and grinning as the A's batter hit it, then throwing a bunt into the stands allowing three runs to score.
Miller could not duplicate the success of his rookie season, losing 20 games in 1902, and never again having a winning record. After a rough start to the 1902 season, Miller jumped mid-season to the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
to play with newly signed Giants' manager John McGraw. Miller was 1-8 for McGraw and the Giants in the last half of 1902. Miller played his remaining three MLB seasons 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...
.
In 1904, Miller sprained his wrist in a carriage accident. Miller was riding with 14 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...
players when the rear wheel suddenly collapsed. Several players, including Miller and Kitty Bransfield
Kitty Bransfield
William Edward "Kitty" Bransfield , was a professional baseball player who played first base in the Major Leagues from 1906–1914. He would play for the Boston Beaneaters, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs.-External links:...
, were injured when the frightened horses bolted and dragged the carriage on its side. (Arthur Hittner, "Honus Wagner: The Life of Baseball's Flying Dutchman" (1996), p. 137)
In 1906, Miller pitched for the Des Moines Champions of the Western League
Western League (defunct minor league)
The Western League is a name given to several circuits in American minor league baseball. Its earliest progenitor, which existed from 1885 to 1899, was the predecessor of the American League...
, where he led the circuit with a 28-15 record. Miller died in Corydon, Indiana
Corydon, Indiana
Corydon is a town in Harrison Township, Harrison County, Indiana, United States, founded in 1808, and is known as Indiana's First State Capital. After Vincennes, Corydon was the second capital of the Indiana Territory from May 1, 1813, until December 11, 1816. After statehood, the town was the...
, aged 36, from unknown causes.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball saves champions
- Best pitching seasons by a Detroit Tiger