Bob Miller (millebo03)

Robert Gerald Miller

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1", Weight 185 lb.
• High School J. Sterling Morton East High School
• Debut June 25, 1953
• Final Game September 18, 1962
• Born July 15, 1935 in Berwyn, IL USA
• Died May 24, 2022 in St. Charles, IL USA

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Biographical Information

1954 Topps

One of four major leaguers with the name, Bob Miller was noteworthy for breaking into the Major Leagues as a $60,000 "Bonus Baby" at age 17 in 1953. He remains the youngest pitcher to start a game in Detroit Tigers history, doing so after turning 18 on September 22nd that year. Although the Tigers were not a particularly young team overall, fellow rookies on the team included Al Kaline (a reported $35,000 bonus) and Reno Bertoia, both 18 at the time. Of the three, Miller received by far the most money for signing with Detroit.

Most of his major league career was in the period 1953-1956, when he was 17, 18, 19, and 20 years old. Despite his youth and heralded status, he posted only six career victories. After spending time in military service, he later came back for a his final season in 1962 with the Cincinnati Reds and the futile New York Mets, an expansion year, when he was 26.

In both 1954 and 1955, his ERA (with limited innings pitched) was under 2.50.

Ironically, this Bob Miller and journeyman pitcher Bob Miller, who was also a bonus baby, played and roomed together on the 1962 New York Mets.