John Barney "Dots" Miller (September 9, 1886 – September 5, 1923) was an American professional baseball first baseman and second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1909 through 1921 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, and Philadelphia Phillies.
Career Miller started his major league career with the Pirates. In his rookie season, he drove in 87 runs and helped Pittsburgh win the National League pennant and their first World Series title. Miller was the regular second baseman from 1909 to 1911 but then moved over to first base.
In the years since his death (beginning at least as early as a 1935 story penned by one-time Phillies teammate Stan Baumgartner), Miller's nickname has frequently been attributed to a simple misinterpretation of teammate Honus Wagner's heavily accented response, "That's Miller."Baumgartner, Stan (October 31, 1935). "Just a Moment". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Accessed 2020-04-29. However, on May 12, 1909, the first day the name "Dots Miller" appeared in a Pittsburgh newspaper, it was made abundantly clear that this was a childhood nickname, stemming from Miller's own German ancestry, and accent.Davis, Ralph S. (May 12, 1909). "Miller's Friends to Do Him Honor at New York". The Pittsburg Press. Accessed 2020-04-29. Indeed, this was confirmed in a story published shortly before his death, during his unsuccessful bout with tuberculosis."Sports Snap Shots". The Albuquerque Journal. August 19, 1923. Accessed 2020-04-29.
In 1913, Miller was traded to the Cardinals, where he continued his good hitting and fielding for the next few years.
In 1918 Miller's career was interrupted while he served in World War I.
Miller became manager of a Pacific Coast League team, the San Francisco Seals, in 1922. He led the club to the pennant in his first year."The Ballplayers – Dots Miller" . baseballlibrary.com. Accessed 2010-10-26. The following season, the Seals were league with by ten games when, on July 23, Miller was forced to step down after contracting tuberculosis. He died on September 5."Dots Miller's Obit". thedeadballera.com. Accessed 2010-10-26.
In 1589 games over 12 seasons, Miller posted a .263 batting average (1526-for-5804) with 711 runs, 232 doubles, 108 triples, 32 home runs, 714 RBI, 177 stolen bases, 391 bases on balls, .314 on-base percentage and .357 slugging percentage. He finished his career with a .974 fielding percentage playing at first, second, third base and shortstop. In the 1909 World Series, he hit .250 (7-for-28) with 2 runs, 4 RBI, 3 stolen bases and 2 walks.
Soccer Miller was also noted as a soccer player.May 22, 1909 Sporting Life
See also List of Major League Baseball career triples leaders List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
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