| Dyar Miller | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1946-05-29)May 29, 1946 (age 79) Batesville, Indiana, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 9, 1975, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 2, 1981, for the New York Mets | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 23–17 |
| Earned run average | 3.23 |
| Strikeouts | 235 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Dyar K. Miller (born May 29, 1946) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher andcoach. A graduate ofUtah State, Miller pitched 13 seasons in professional baseball between1968 and1984, including seven seasons inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theBaltimore Orioles,California Angels,Toronto Blue Jays, andNew York Mets. After his playing career, Miller coached and instructed for 28 seasons (19 in theSt. Louis Cardinals organization), mainly in the minor leagues. He most recently served as the Cardinals'bullpen coach in2012.
Miller graduated fromUtah State University with a Bachelor of Science in history.[1]
After graduating from Utah State, Miller availed himself for theMLB draft but was not chosen. He signed with thePhiladelphia Phillies as acatcher and was assigned to the Huron Phillies, whereDallas Green was themanager.[1] However, after two errors and four games, the Phillies released him.[1][2] Miller decided to pursue pitching instead, and in1969, the Orioles signed him. Between the Florida Instructional League Orioles (a Rookie League team) and theStockton Ports (a Class-ACalifornia League team), Miller appeared in 36 games, making 13 starts and compiling 153innings pitched (IP) with a 2.47earned run average (ERA).[2]
Miller became more successful at pitching than at catching. He pitched mainly as astarter for the Orioles' double-A affiliates from1970 to1972 – two seasons with theDallas–Fort Worth Spurs and one with theAshville Orioles. In1973, Miller's first season inAAA, he posted a 2.75 ERA in 15 games and 72 IP for theRochester Red Wings. He also played the next two seasons for Rochester. In1974, Miller pitched 28 games, starting 26. He finished with a 2.70 ERA in 190 IP, allowing 143hits, 95bases on balls (BB) whilestriking out 138,completing nine games (CG) while finishing with a 12–8won–lost record (W–L).[2]
The Orioles invited Miller tospring training in1975. With a hunch that it could be his last chance for a promotion to the Major Leagues, he "posted the best ERA" in the exhibition season. In spite of impressive showing,managerEarl Weaver informed him the Orioles had assigned him to start the season at Rochester. Miller responded with an angry outburst. However, Weaver was empathetic, later admitting to aSporting News reporter that he "felt sorry for the guy" and that "he had earned the chance to pitch in the big leagues." The Orioles' attempts to trade him to a team that had room to allow him to pitch in the Major Leagues failed. When Miller returned to Rochester, he converted to pitch inrelief.[1] The change worked, as he posted a 2.20 ERA with five wins and sevensaves in 19 appearances. He also allowed just 24 hits while striking out 38 in 41 IP, but walked 25.[2]
The Orioles finally called Miller up later that season and he made his MLB debut on June 9 against theOakland Athletics, just two weeks after turning age 29.[1][2]Dave Duncan was the opposing catcher that game as Miller took the loss.[1][3] For the season, he appeared in 30 games, all in relief, compiling46+1⁄3 IP with 33 SO and a 2.72 ERA.[2] He was traded by the Orioles to theCalifornia Angels forDick Drago on June 13, 1977.[4]
The Mets released Miller after the1981 season. In Miller's seven Major League seasons, he pitched465+1⁄3 innings in 251 total games, making one start, and compiling a 3.23 ERA with 22saves.[2] He also pitched 13 total seasons in the minor leagues. After his release from the Mets, Miller pitched three more years in the Cardinals organization with theLouisville Redbirds, where1984 was his final season as a player.[2]
Miller also played winter baseball in theMexican Pacific League for two seasons with theMayos de Navojoa.[5]
After his playing career, Miller stayed in the Cardinals organization for the next two seasons. In1985, Miller was named as pitching coach with the Cardinals' Class AA minor league club, theArkansas Travelers, whereJim Riggleman was the manager. The next season,1986, he returned to Louisville as the pitching coach, managed byJim Fregosi. Fregosi left during theseason to replaceTony La Russa asmanager of theChicago White Sox. The nextseason, Fregosi hired Miller as White Sox bullpen coach where he later on served as interim pitching coach whileDon Rowe tended to his health concerns. The White Sox fired Fregosi following the1988 season, and Miller took coaching roles in theDetroit Tigers (1989–1990) andCleveland Indians (1991–1994) systems.[1]
In1995, Miller returned to the Cardinals organization, again as a pitching coach for Louisville. Through2008, Miller coached, instructed, or retained leadership roles within the organization. Two years after returning to Louisville, he became a roving pitching instructor in the minor league system and held that role until2000. Miller then spent the next seven years as pitching coach for their new AAA-affiliate, theMemphis Redbirds.[6] He was then promoted to minor league pitching coordinator in2008 and remained in that role through2011.[7]
On January 6,2012, the Cardinals named Miller their bullpen coach after Duncan, the longtime pitching coach with formerCardinals manager La Russa, took aleave of absence. Former bullpen coachDerek Lilliquist substituted for Duncan, creating the opportunity for Miller.[8] However, his tenure as bullpen coach was short-lived. The following October, the Cardinals announced he would not return in2013. It was the only coaching change the Cardinals made at that time. No reason was directly given, althoughgeneral managerJohn Mozeliak commented, "Just from a standpoint of when we were putting the coaching staff together last year, we were doing it quickly and Dyar deserved that opportunity. But when we look at this long-term, we want [manager]Mike [Matheny] to be able to put his fingerprints on it as well."[7]
One quality Dyar Miller should be able to teach Cardinals relievers is perseverance. As both a pitcher and as a coach, Miller has displayed tremendous patience and determination in achieving his goals.
Lilliquist to serve as pitching coach; Miller named bullpen coach