Tom Miller (milleto01)

Thomas P. Miller
(Reddy)

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
• Height 5' 6", Weight 136 lb.

• Debut October 24, 1874
• Final Game October 29, 1875
• Born March 1850 in Philadelphia, PA USA
• Died May 29, 1876 in Philadelphia, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

''He is an active player, being quick as a cat behind the ash . . ." - from the SABR biography, quoting a Philadelphia newspaper

After playing four games for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1874, Tom "Reddy" Miller was the regular catcher for the St. Louis Brown Stockings in 1875. Not much of a hitter, he earned his keep by being the catcher who caught pitcher George Bradley. The manager (and shortstop) was the famous early player Dickey Pearce. Miller died in 1876, and according to Baseball History Daily, quoting the Chicago Tribune, Miller's last words were a delirium about catching for Bradley. [1]

The SABR biography of Tom Miller indicates that his birth date is uncertain, and that he played for a variety of amateur clubs before his major league days. Bradley also came from the Philadelphia amateur ranks, and joined with Miller at Easton in 1874. Miller was actually on the St. Louis team in 1876, but hadn't made an appearance up to the point when he took sick and died in May.

He was the first Tom Miller to play in the majors. The second was Tom Miller.

Related Sites

• Tom Miller at the SABR Bio Project