Roy McMillan
Roy McMillan | |
---|---|
Shortstop / Manager | |
Born: Bonham, Texas, U.S. | July 17, 1929|
Died: November 2, 1997 Bonham, Texas, U.S. | (aged 68)|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
April 17, 1951, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
Last MLB appearance | |
August 3, 1966, for the New York Mets | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .243 |
Home runs | 68 |
Runs batted in | 594 |
Managerial record | 27–28 |
Winning % | .491 |
Teams | |
As player
As manager | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
Roy David McMillan (July 17, 1929 – November 2, 1997) was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop from 1951 to 1966, most prominently as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, where he was the starting shortstop for nine seasons.[1][2]
A two-time All-Star player, McMillan was one of the top defensive shortstops of his era.[2][3] Nicknamed "Mr. Shortstop" because of his defensive play, he won three Gold Glove Awards during his tenure with the Reds.[3] He teamed with Reds second baseman, Johnny Temple, to form one of the best double-play combinations of the 1950s.[3]
McMillan also played for the
Early life
McMillan was born in Bonham, Texas, and attended Bonham High School where he was a member of the football, basketball, tennis, and the track and field teams.[4] Although his high school did not have a baseball team, he did play as a third baseman on the town softball team.[4] After high school, Roy attended Texas A&M University for one semester hoping to play sports of some kind but, returned to Bonham after failing to make the football team.[4]
In 1947 at the age of 16, McMillan attended a Cincinnati Reds try-out camp in McKinney, Texas conducted by Red scout
Major League Baseball career
McMillan made his major league debut with the Reds on April 16, 1951 at the age of 21 however, he saw little playing time as he served as a back up to the starting shortstop, Virgil Stallcup.[1] Unhappy with Stallcup's performance, Reds manager Luke Sewell decided to promote McMillan to be the starting shortstop for the 1952 season.[4]
McMillan became a defensive standout and would lead the
The Reds’ best result during McMillan’s career came in
Further national recognition came in 1957 when The Sporting News named him to their All-Star Fielding team and recipient of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award in the first year the award was made. McMillan would win the award again in 1958 and 1959. He was elected to the National League All-Star team in 1956 and 1957.[1]
In
McMillan also played with the
Statistics
In a 16-year major league career, McMillan played in 2,093 games, accumulating 1,639 hits in 6,752 at bats for a .243 career batting average along with 68 home runs, 594 runs batted in and an on-base percentage of .314.[1] He retired with a .972 fielding percentage.[1]
McMillan ranked 8th overall among major league shortstops in double plays turned.[7] He ranks 16th overall among major league shortstops in assists and, ranks 19th overall in putouts.[1]
Post playing career
In 1970, McMillan returned to Milwaukee as first-base coach with the Brewers, served as interim skipper in 1972 between Dave Bristol and Del Crandall, then coached for the New York Mets. In 1975, he replaced Yogi Berra as the Mets' interim manager. Late in his career, McMillan was a scout for the Montreal Expos based in Bonham.[2]
McMillan was inducted into the
McMillan died on November 2, 1997, at the age of 68, having collapsed in his kitchen.[2] He was survived by his wife of 45 years, along with two children and three grandchildren.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Roy McMillan Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Goldstein, Richard (1997). "Roy McMillan, 68, Shortstop Renowned for His Fine Fielding". New York Times. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com". mlb.com. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Miller, Richard. "The Baseball Biography Project: Roy McMillan". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ a b "Roy McMillan minor league statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ "Most Games Played with no Postseason Appearances".
- ^ "Career Leaders & Records for Double Plays Turned as SS". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference