Bob Miller

Who is Bob Miller?

Robert John Miller, is a retired American professional baseball player, a right-handed pitcher who appeared in the Major Leagues from 1949 to 1958 for the Philadelphia Phillies. Miller was a member of the 1950 "Whiz Kids," only the second Phillies team to win a National League pennant in history.

Miller served in the United States Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations, then attended the University of Detroit Mercy. He signed with the Phillies in 1948 and after winning 19 games for the Class B Terre Haute Phillies he was recalled to Philadelphia in September 1949. Miller pitched 2⅔ scoreless innings in relief that year.

The following season, not quite 24, he became a member of the youthful Phillies' pitching staff. He appeared in 35 games, 22 as a starter, and won 11 of 17 decisions with an earned run average of 3.57 in 174 innings pitched. Although not as celebrated as fellow young pitchers Robin Roberts and Curt Simmons, Miller ranked third on the staff in innings pitched and fourth in victories. He hurled seven complete games and notched two shutouts. He started Game 4 of the 1950 World Series, but faced only four batters and recorded only one out, and took the loss in a 5–2 New York Yankees victory that cemented a four-game sweep for the Bombers.