Photo credit: Andy Altenburger - Icon Sportswire
Ray Miller, the former manager of the Orioles and before that a successful pitching coach, died on Tuesday at 76.
Miller managed the Orioles in 1998 and 1999, succeeding Davey Johnson. Miller had a record of 157-167. He had served as Johnson’s pitching coach in 1997, and the team made it to the American League Championship Series, losing to Cleveland.
After the 1997 season, Johnson resigned in a contract dispute, and Miller was chosen to replace him.
He had a difficult time as Orioles manager. The team, which had made the playoffs in 1996 and 1997 under Johnson, aged and didn’t contend. Miller was the manager when Cal Ripken Jr. decided to end his consecutive games streak at 2,632 on September 20, 1998.
Miller, who was born in Takoma Park, Maryland and was a longtime resident of Athens, Ohio, pitched professionally from 1964-1973 but never reached the majors. From 1971-1973, Miller pitched for the Orioles’ Triple-A Rochester team.
He began a coaching career and, from 1978-1985, was the Orioles’ pitching coach. Miller was hired by the Minnesota Twins in June 1985 as the team’s manager and served as the Twins’ manager until September 1986 with a record of 109-130.
Miller was the Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching coach from 1987-1996 before returning to Baltimore. He also served a third stint as Orioles pitching coach, replacing Mark Wiley, during the 2004 season and continued through 2005. Miller served as Orioles pitching coach for 11 seasons, the second-longest tenure in team history.
He was elected to the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2010.
“I want to send my condolences to the Miller family,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “He was an Orioles Hall of Famer and a great man in baseball. I wanted to give my best wishes to his family.”
In a statement, the Orioles said Miller’s “legacy will be forever enshrined in our organization’s history, having guided some of the greatest Orioles pitchers, including Jim Palmer, Mike Flanagan, Scott McGregor, Steve Stone and Mike Boddicker.”
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God Bless...go Ray & go O’s...
RIP to a great coach
So, so sad. What an absolutely great pitching coach. responsible for several great staffs in no small part due to his input.
The Rabbit
I loved him as our pitching coach. We could count on a pretty solid pitching staff when he was at the helm. But as a manager - not so much. I remember staying at the team hotel in Philly when Ray was the manager and he stayed at the bar way too long into the night. RIP Ray - you were well loved.
Sounds like my kind of guy. Cheers Ray!
" Work fast, throw strikes, stay within to win."
Ray Miller
"Work fast, throw strikes, change speeds."
Ray Miller
RIP. Such a great coach. Best coach this franchise has ever had. How fitting that Means throws a no hitter the next day. Makes you wonder .....
Some divine intervention?...go O’s...