Rick Miller
Born: 4/19/1948 in Grand Rapids, MI, USA
MLB Debut: 1971-09-04 | Final Game: 1985-10-04
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: Richard Alan Miller
Biography
Rick Miller, born in 1948, was a professional baseball player who enjoyed a notable career in Major League Baseball from 1971 until his retirement in 1985. Primarily known as a versatile position player, Miller played in 1,482 games, primarily as an outfielder, and became well-regarded for his defensive capabilities and consistent contributions at the plate. Over his career, he recorded 1,046 hits and maintained a batting average of .269, showcasing a reliable ability to reach base and support his team offensively.
Miller's offensive statistics included 28 home runs and 369 RBIs, along with 78 stolen bases, highlighting his speed and base-running acumen. He played during an era characterized by significant changes in the game, including the transition from the deadball era to a time of increased offensive output. Miller's steady presence in the lineup made him a valuable asset to the teams he played for, contributing not only with his bat but also with his keen awareness on the field. His legacy as a dedicated player is remembered by fans and historians alike, marking him as a significant figure in the baseball landscape of his time.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1482 | 3887 | 552 | 1046 | 161 | 35 | 28 | 369 | 78 | 454 | 583 | 0.269 | 0.346 | 0.350 | 0.696 | -194.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | BOS | AL | 15 | 33 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0.333 | 0.0 |
| 1972 | BOS | AL | 89 | 98 | 13 | 21 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 27 | 0.214 | -32.5 |
| 1973 | BOS | AL | 143 | 441 | 65 | 115 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 43 | 12 | 51 | 59 | 0.261 | 120.3 |
| 1974 | BOS | AL | 114 | 280 | 41 | 73 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 13 | 37 | 47 | 0.261 | 139.4 |
| 1975 | BOS | AL | 77 | 108 | 21 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 21 | 20 | 0.194 | -316.6 |
| 1976 | BOS | AL | 105 | 269 | 40 | 76 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 27 | 11 | 34 | 47 | 0.283 | 344.7 |
| 1977 | BOS | AL | 86 | 189 | 34 | 48 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 11 | 22 | 30 | 0.254 | -202.1 |
| 1978 | LAA | AL | 132 | 475 | 66 | 125 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 37 | 3 | 54 | 70 | 0.263 | -166.6 |
| 1979 | LAA | AL | 120 | 427 | 60 | 125 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 28 | 5 | 50 | 69 | 0.293 | 240.7 |
| 1980 | LAA | AL | 129 | 412 | 52 | 113 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 38 | 7 | 48 | 71 | 0.274 | -153.0 |
| 1981 | BOS | AL | 97 | 316 | 38 | 92 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 33 | 3 | 28 | 36 | 0.291 | 331.8 |
| 1982 | BOS | AL | 135 | 409 | 50 | 104 | 13 | 2 | 4 | 38 | 5 | 40 | 41 | 0.254 | -613.2 |
| 1983 | BOS | AL | 104 | 262 | 41 | 75 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 3 | 28 | 30 | 0.286 | 118.7 |
| 1984 | BOS | AL | 95 | 123 | 17 | 32 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 17 | 22 | 0.260 | -82.0 |
| 1985 | BOS | AL | 41 | 45 | 5 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 0.333 | 75.4 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 18 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.222 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | ALCS | CAL | 4 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.250 |
| 1975 | WS | BOS | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 10 | 6 | 54 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| OF | 1248 | 955 | 2786 | 69 | 42 | 21 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | BOS | OF | 14 | 10 | 30 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1972 | BOS | OF | 75 | 15 | 80 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| 1973 | BOS | OF | 137 | 116 | 301 | 4 | 7 | 1 |
| 1974 | BOS | OF | 105 | 74 | 253 | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| 1975 | BOS | OF | 65 | 21 | 101 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 1976 | BOS | OF | 82 | 64 | 220 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 1977 | BOS | OF | 79 | 54 | 118 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| 1978 | CAL | OF | 129 | 120 | 353 | 9 | 4 | 5 |
| 1979 | CAL | OF | 117 | 108 | 349 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| 1980 | CAL | OF | 118 | 102 | 299 | 11 | 5 | 3 |
| 1981 | BOS | OF | 95 | 89 | 219 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| 1982 | BOS | OF | 127 | 113 | 277 | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| 1983 | BOS | 1B | 2 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1983 | BOS | OF | 66 | 55 | 141 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1984 | BOS | 1B | 8 | 4 | 44 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 1984 | BOS | OF | 31 | 12 | 36 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 | BOS | OF | 8 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 10 |
| Left Field | 130 |
| Center Field | 853 |
| Right Field | 289 |
| Designated Hitter | 18 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Gold Glove | OF |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | BOS | AL | $275,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $275,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University | East Lansing | MI | 1968, 1969 |