Bill Miller (millebi01)

William Alexander Miller
born William Moeller

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2", Weight 170 lb.

• Debut August 23, 1902
• Final Game August 23, 1902
• Born May 23, 1879 in Bad Schwalbach, Germany
• Died September 8, 1957 in Ashtabula, OH USA

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Biographical Information

Bill Miller played one game in right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1902. The Pirates went on to win 103 games and the National League pennant. Miller was five years younger than Honus Wagner.

Quite a few players spent time in right field for the 1902 Pirates, including Wagner, who had 30 games there. The player who got the most time at the position was Lefty Davis, who was in 59 games. The following year, 21-year-old Jimmy Sebring won the job.

Miller was born in the spa resort of Bad Schwalbach, Germany, in the southwestern portion of the country. He is the only major leaguer ever born there (through 2008) and the only major leaguer born in Germany in 1879.

He was the first of three major leaguers named "Bill Miller". The other two were pitchers.

"For balance of season (sic) the Pittsburgs have signed outfielder Miller, of Cleveland. He was first pointed out by Tommy Leach, who advised Dreyfuss to keep tabs on him, which he did in the Southern League. The Southern climate did not agree with Miller, and he has been home for a short time. . . . Saturday Miller, a tall, sickly looking lad from Cleveland, was in right. Tommy Leach recommended him. He made a fair showing, being a little frightened. His appearance recalled Archibald Stimmel, and the-gang dubbed him 'Bald Archy.' " - Sporting Life, August 30, 1902