Bob Milliken
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (April 2009) |
| Bob Milliken | |
|---|---|
 Topps baseball card, 1953 Series #221 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: August 25, 1926 Majorsville, West Virginia | |
| Died: January 3, 2007 (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 record | 13–6 |
| Earned run average | 3.59 |
| Strikeouts | 90 |
| 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 (1953–54). 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
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Baseball Almanac
- Historic Baseball
- Brooklyn Dodgers players
- Macon Dodgers players
- Danville Dodgers players
- Fort Worth Cats players
- Montreal Royals players
- St. Paul Saints (AA) players
- Memphis Chickasaws players
- Atlanta Crackers players
- Spokane Indians players
- Rochester Red Wings players
- Portsmouth-Norfolk Tides players
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Baseball players from West Virginia
- Major League Baseball bullpen coaches
- Major League Baseball pitching coaches
- People from Marshall County, West Virginia
- 1926 births
- 2007 deaths
- St. Louis Cardinals coaches