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Bob Milliken

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Bob Milliken
Topps baseball card, 1953 Series #221
Pitcher
Born: (1926-08-25)August 25, 1926
Majorsville, West Virginia
Died: January 3, 2007(2007-01-03) (aged 80)
Clearwater, Florida
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 22, 1953, for the Brooklyn Dodgers
Last MLB appearance
July 29, 1954, for the Brooklyn Dodgers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record13–6
Earned run average3.59
Strikeouts90
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Robert Fogle Milliken (August 25, 1926 – January 4, 2007) was a reliever and spot starter in Major League Baseball who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers (195354). Milliken batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Majorsville, West Virginia.

Milliken pitched in the minor leagues with Fort Worth (1948–49) and Montreal (1950) before joining the military from 1951 to 1952. After being discharged, he helped the Brooklyn Dodgers to clinch the 1953 National League pennant with an 8–4 mark, 65 strikeouts, 117 innings, and a 3.37 ERA in 37 appearances, including 10 starts. He faced the New York Yankees in the World Series of that year and pitched two innings of shutout relief. In 1954 he went 5–2 with two saves in 24 games, three as a starter, as he recorded a 4.02 ERA in a league where the pitchers averaged 4.07. After that, he suffered arm problems and did not return to the major leagues.

From 1955 to 1956 Milliken divided his playing time between Fort Worth and Montreal. Following his playing retirement, he returned to the majors as a bullpen and pitching coach with the St. Louis Cardinals (1965–70, 1976). He is given credit in the SABR biography of Jim Willoughby for straightening out his delivery in 1975, while serving as a pitching instructor when Willoughby was with the Tulsa Oilers. Later, he served as scout.

In 61 major league appearances, Milliken posted a 13–6 record with a 3.59 ERA, four saves, and 90 strikeouts in 180⅓ innings, including 13 starts and three complete games.

Milliken died in Clearwater, Florida, at the age of 80. According to his obituary, he had spent 58 years in baseball.

See also

Preceded by St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach
1976
Succeeded by