Miller highlights F.C. fundraiser
December 15, 2021 at 8:16 p.m.
Miller highlights F.C. fundraiser
By Will Fehlinger-
Emcee and FC assistant athletic director Brad Stacy said the community “needed something fun” after the last (almost) two years, while also acknowledging the tragic events in neighboring Kentucky and Illinois earlier that morning.
Head coach Derek Stang thanked several sponsors of the event, many donating door prizes along with silent auction items and basket raffle goodies. He sent a barb the way of predecessor Dave Miley, instrumental in attracting Reds each year – “Dave's been great, even when I taught him how to coach high school ball.”
Miley spoke briefly, first urging folks to remember Dec. 10, 2022, the date of the next “Legend” that will bring Reds President/Chief Operating Officer Phil Castellini – and a surprise player – to Brookville.
He then told attendees to bring up 'Delmon Young bat flip' on their phones. Miley was managing the Columbus Clippers at the time (2006); meanwhile, in the same AAA league, Miller was catching for the Pawtucket Red Sox and Young played for the Durham Bulls. With minor league umpires striking, the league was forced to use high school or American Legion umps.
Calls were iffy and one went against Young, who argued and got thrown out; in the process, he flipped his bat and hit the ump in the chest protector. Miller elaborated on the story when he took the mic, saying Jon Lester was pitching; he told the crowd he pulled his facemask down to cover up his laughter.
Miller, who played for five franchises from 2001-13, turned the floor over to audience questions for the remainder of his time. Some queries were stronger than others and triggered a few more anecdotes.
The backstop told of pitching a perfect inning in Columbus, where many Reds fans reside. “I threw 10 pitches, 9 strikes and got a standing ovation,” he said. “They asked how I got a standing ovation in an away park, and I told them, 'When you've been in this league for 15 years, you can do whatever you want.'”
Shuttling up and down between affiliates was a common theme for Miller, who now serves as Cincinnati's roving instructor to catchers. “Being called up to the majors is something I did … a lot; and I was sent down … a lot,” he joked.
When asked about his big-league debut, Miller went back farther to discuss the 1999 A Rockford (Illinois) Reds – “the best team I've seen assembled in my career.” Along with himself, Rockford had Brandon Larson at third, Gookie Dawkins at short, Antonio Perez at second, Adam Dunn at first, DeWayne Wise in center and Austin Kearns in right.
Later in AA, he was set to play in the league's All-Star game but was told he'd been promoted to AAA Louisville, where Miley managed in 2001. Competing for the catchers' spot, Miller was confronted by Tim Spehr, who grabbed him on the bus to Durham and said, “You think you're taking this job from me?” Miller: “I ended up taking the job from him.”
His dad, who apparently never leaves the house, was there for Corky's Reds debut on Sept. 4, 2001. He went 0-3 on his way to a lifetime batting average of .193 while throwing out 32% of runners. “There have been times when my job wasn't fun – like hitting was not fun,” he said to laughter.
Dodger Stadium was his favorite park to play in, having grown up just outside L.A. The old Toledo Mudhens' stadium was one of his least favorite.
Constant banter was his go-to in trying to distract hitters but “guys like Jeff Kent would ignore you.”
Danny Graves and Bronson Arroyo were pitchers he enjoyed catching; he implied Homer Bailey, not so much.
Miller compared catching Aroldis Chapman's 100-mph stuff to the arsenal of a Mike Leake. “Leake would be harder to catch because he throws 86-87 and ball really breaks; with Aroldis, the ball was within a few inches of the mitt,” he noted. Miller said his talk with then-manager Dusty Baker helped steer the Cuban Missile into the bullpen, where his career has flourished.
More social time followed as prize winners were announced and some surprise items auctioned off by Miller in his best auctioneer impression.
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Emcee and FC assistant athletic director Brad Stacy said the community “needed something fun” after the last (almost) two years, while also acknowledging the tragic events in neighboring Kentucky and Illinois earlier that morning.
Head coach Derek Stang thanked several sponsors of the event, many donating door prizes along with silent auction items and basket raffle goodies. He sent a barb the way of predecessor Dave Miley, instrumental in attracting Reds each year – “Dave's been great, even when I taught him how to coach high school ball.”
Miley spoke briefly, first urging folks to remember Dec. 10, 2022, the date of the next “Legend” that will bring Reds President/Chief Operating Officer Phil Castellini – and a surprise player – to Brookville.
He then told attendees to bring up 'Delmon Young bat flip' on their phones. Miley was managing the Columbus Clippers at the time (2006); meanwhile, in the same AAA league, Miller was catching for the Pawtucket Red Sox and Young played for the Durham Bulls. With minor league umpires striking, the league was forced to use high school or American Legion umps.
Calls were iffy and one went against Young, who argued and got thrown out; in the process, he flipped his bat and hit the ump in the chest protector. Miller elaborated on the story when he took the mic, saying Jon Lester was pitching; he told the crowd he pulled his facemask down to cover up his laughter.
Miller, who played for five franchises from 2001-13, turned the floor over to audience questions for the remainder of his time. Some queries were stronger than others and triggered a few more anecdotes.
The backstop told of pitching a perfect inning in Columbus, where many Reds fans reside. “I threw 10 pitches, 9 strikes and got a standing ovation,” he said. “They asked how I got a standing ovation in an away park, and I told them, 'When you've been in this league for 15 years, you can do whatever you want.'”
Shuttling up and down between affiliates was a common theme for Miller, who now serves as Cincinnati's roving instructor to catchers. “Being called up to the majors is something I did … a lot; and I was sent down … a lot,” he joked.
When asked about his big-league debut, Miller went back farther to discuss the 1999 A Rockford (Illinois) Reds – “the best team I've seen assembled in my career.” Along with himself, Rockford had Brandon Larson at third, Gookie Dawkins at short, Antonio Perez at second, Adam Dunn at first, DeWayne Wise in center and Austin Kearns in right.
Later in AA, he was set to play in the league's All-Star game but was told he'd been promoted to AAA Louisville, where Miley managed in 2001. Competing for the catchers' spot, Miller was confronted by Tim Spehr, who grabbed him on the bus to Durham and said, “You think you're taking this job from me?” Miller: “I ended up taking the job from him.”
His dad, who apparently never leaves the house, was there for Corky's Reds debut on Sept. 4, 2001. He went 0-3 on his way to a lifetime batting average of .193 while throwing out 32% of runners. “There have been times when my job wasn't fun – like hitting was not fun,” he said to laughter.
Dodger Stadium was his favorite park to play in, having grown up just outside L.A. The old Toledo Mudhens' stadium was one of his least favorite.
Constant banter was his go-to in trying to distract hitters but “guys like Jeff Kent would ignore you.”
Danny Graves and Bronson Arroyo were pitchers he enjoyed catching; he implied Homer Bailey, not so much.
Miller compared catching Aroldis Chapman's 100-mph stuff to the arsenal of a Mike Leake. “Leake would be harder to catch because he throws 86-87 and ball really breaks; with Aroldis, the ball was within a few inches of the mitt,” he noted. Miller said his talk with then-manager Dusty Baker helped steer the Cuban Missile into the bullpen, where his career has flourished.
More social time followed as prize winners were announced and some surprise items auctioned off by Miller in his best auctioneer impression.
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