Eddie Miller – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Eddie Miller isn’t exactly a household name in baseball, but he still holds a quirky spot in Major League Baseball history. This outfielder from San Pablo, California, bounced around the big leagues for seven seasons between 1977 and 1984, suiting up for the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, and San Diego Padres.

Miller did something only a handful of players have pulled off—he hit his lone career home run in his very last major league at-bat on September 30, 1984. That memorable swing happened during his brief run with the Padres, capping off a career that, while not packed with big numbers, lasted nearly a decade. His stats don’t jump off the page—a .238 average, 17 RBIs, and 138 games played—but Miller’s story really captures the journeyman spirit that’s woven through baseball’s history.

He started out as a second-round draft pick from Harry Ells High School. Miller even got caught up in one of baseball’s first four-team blockbuster trades. His career really shows the ups and downs of pro ball in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.

From the minors to switching teams and eventually hanging up his spikes, Miller’s journey gives us a glimpse of what it was like to chase the American baseball dream back then.

Career Overview and Retirement

Eddie Miller played as an outfielder in the MLB from 1977 to 1984, moving through four teams. He broke in with the Texas Rangers and wrapped things up with the San Diego Padres.

He logged his most playing time with the Atlanta Braves.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Eddie Miller made his first MLB appearance on September 5, 1977, with the Texas Rangers, just 20 years old at the time. That first season was short but showed some promise—he played in 17 games and hit .333.

He stood 5’9″, weighed 175 pounds, and batted from both sides of the plate. Miller threw right-handed and could cover plenty of ground in the outfield.

Texas used him mostly as a designated hitter and outfielder in his rookie year. He managed 2 hits in 6 at-bats during that stint.

After his debut, Miller headed to the Atlanta Braves in 1978. This move kicked off his longest run with any team, as he spent four seasons there trying to carve out a bigger role.

Timeline Leading to 1984 Retirement

Miller’s career path moved through four clubs pretty steadily. He started with Texas in 1977, then played for the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1981.

His time with the Braves was the most productive. In 1979, he hit .310 over 27 games, which was his best single-season average.

He joined the Detroit Tigers in 1982 but only played 14 games, struggling with just a .040 average in 25 at-bats. Detroit let him go after that year.

Miller’s last shot in the majors came with the San Diego Padres in 1984. He played 13 games and hit .286. After September 30, 1984, he stepped away from MLB for good.

Teams Played For and Positions

Miller moved around a lot, showing he could adapt to different teams and situations.

Team History:

• Texas Rangers (1977): 17 games, mostly as DH and outfielder
• Atlanta Braves (1978-1981): 94 games, his biggest stretch
• Detroit Tigers (1982): 14 games, pretty brief
• San Diego Padres (1984): 13 games, his last stop

He mainly played center and left field. The Braves leaned on him in center during his best years.

Over his career, Miller posted a .238 average, hit a single home run, and drove in 17 runs across 138 games. That lone home run came in his last at-bat with the Padres, a storybook way to go out.

He also racked up 49 stolen bases, showing off his speed. His top year for steals was 1979 with Atlanta, when he nabbed 15 bags in just 27 games.

Statistical Highlights

Eddie Miller’s seven years in the majors brought a .238 batting average over 366 plate appearances. His real strength was speed—especially on the bases. That 1979 season with Atlanta was his statistical high point, and his stolen base totals didn’t go unnoticed.

Career Batting Average and At-Bats

Miller finished with a .238 batting average, collecting 79 hits in 332 at-bats over 138 games. In 1979, he put up his best average, hitting .310 in 113 at-bats for Atlanta.

He got the most playing time in 1981, appearing in 50 games and getting 134 at-bats, but his average slipped to .231.

His performance was up and down. Detroit in 1982 was rough—just a .040 average in 25 at-bats. But in 1984 with San Diego, he managed .286, though in a small sample.

Hits, RBI, and Runs Scored

Miller ended up with 79 hits and 17 RBIs, crossing the plate 63 times. His best year for hits was 1979, when he had 35 in 27 games with Atlanta.

He didn’t drive in a ton of runs. His top RBI year was 1981 with 7, and he scored 29 times that same season, which was his personal best.

He only hit 1 home run in his entire MLB career. That shot came in his final season with San Diego in 1984, and it gave him a .643 slugging percentage that year.

Stolen Bases and Notable Rankings

Speed was Miller’s calling card. He stole 49 bases in his MLB career. In 1981, he swiped 23 bags, good for 10th in the National League.

Atlanta was where he really ran wild, with 15 steals in 1979 and then 23 in 1981.

Miller also wasn’t afraid to take one for the team. In 1981, he got hit by pitches three times, ranking 12th in the National League. That shows he didn’t shy away from the plate.

1984 Season and Unique MLB Record

Eddie Miller’s 1984 season with the Padres ended with a truly rare MLB record. He hit his first and only career home run in his last major league at-bat, racking up the most career at-bats (332) of any player to hit their lone homer in their final trip to the plate.

San Diego Padres Call-Up and Performance

The Padres picked up Miller in August 1984 after the Phillies released him before spring training. He played for single-A Reno, hit .329 in 79 at-bats, and finally got his first professional home run.

San Diego brought him up in September for the final stretch of their National League championship season. Miller got into 13 games, collecting three hits in 12 at-bats.

He even legged out a triple among those hits. The Padres mostly used him as a pinch-runner and a backup outfielder.

By the time Miller saw any real action, the team had already clinched the division. That gave manager Dick Williams a chance to give bench guys like Miller some playing time.

Final Career At-Bat and Home Run

Game 162 in 1984 turned out to be Miller’s swan song. Dick Williams sent him in to take over for Tony Gwynn in the third inning against the Braves.

His first at-bat ended with a routine fly to right off Pasqual Perez. The Braves were up 4-1 heading into the ninth, Perez still on the mound.

When Miller led off the ninth, he dug in for his final MLB at-bat. He got ahold of a Perez pitch and sent it over the fence—his one and only big league home run.

That swing was the perfect sendoff. Miller never played another major league game after that day, September 30, 1984.

Legacy of One-Home-Run Record

Miller’s feat puts him in a tiny club of players who hit their only career home run in their last at-bat. He had 332 at-bats, way more than the previous record holder, Kevin Pasley, who had just 122.

Miller beat Pasley’s mark by a whopping 210 at-bats, which makes this bit of trivia even more unusual.

Career Statistics:

• Total MLB At-Bats: 332
• Career Home Runs: 1
• Final Game: September 30, 1984

After leaving MLB, Miller kept playing in the Mexican League for another four seasons. That one-of-a-kind home run keeps his name in the record books.

Notable Moments and Achievements

Eddie Miller’s career had a few standout moments, like a clutch hit in 1981 and that unforgettable final at-bat home run. His numbers—17 RBIs across four teams—don’t tell the whole story.

Top Stolen Bases Season

Miller’s speed stood out most in 1981 with the Braves. On September 2, 1981, he came up big with a game-tying single in the ninth.

He immediately stole second after reaching base, putting himself in scoring position.

That kind of play showed how he could change a game with both his bat and his legs.

The 1981 season saw him play a career-high 50 games. His base running was a real asset for Atlanta that year.

Other Career Milestones

Miller pulled off the rare feat of homering in his final major league at-bat on September 30, 1984. Not many players get to end their careers with a home run.

That lone homer came in his last plate appearance with the Padres, which makes the story even sweeter.

He also got swept up in history as part of the first four-team blockbuster trade on December 8, 1977. That deal involved 11 players and four teams: the Rangers, Braves, Pirates, and Mets.

The trade sent Miller from Texas to Atlanta, along with two others. Clearly, teams saw his potential and valued his versatility.

Postseason and Awards

Miller never really got a shot at the postseason, and he didn’t pick up any major awards. He played 138 big league games over seven seasons from 1977 to 1984.

His .238 average and 17 RBIs show he wasn’t a star, but more of a utility player. Teams counted on him more for his glove and his speed than his bat.

Switch-hitting and playing all over the outfield, Miller brought flexibility and solid fundamentals. Coaches liked having a guy who could step in just about anywhere.

He kept playing pro ball until 1990, logging 902 minor league games and spending time in the Mexican League. That’s some real dedication to the game.

Playing Style and On-Field Contributions

Eddie Miller brought speed and defensive versatility to the table during his seven years in MLB. He mostly played center field for the Braves, and his ability to switch-hit and steal bases made him a handy player to have around.

Defensive Skills and Outfield Roles

Miller showed a lot of defensive flexibility throughout his career. He played all three outfield spots, but usually found himself in center field.

His speed gave him excellent range out there. He could cover significant ground and track down fly balls that plenty of players would never reach.

People in Richmond, California, where Miller grew up, watched his defensive value go way beyond just using his glove. Miller’s speed made him an ideal pinch runner, and the Braves often put him in that role.

He turned base-stealing into a real threat every time he got on. Pitchers and catchers probably dreaded seeing him standing at first.

During the 1981 season, Miller put his defensive and base-running skills together for some memorable moments. On September 2, 1981, he singled in the tying run in the ninth, stole second and third, and then scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly.

He swiped 23 bases in just 50 games that year, which is kind of wild. That stretch really showed how he could change a game with his legs, not just his bat.

Batted Right-Handed and Switch-Hitting Analysis

Miller’s switch-hitting ability gave his teams a real edge from 1977 to 1984. Managers used him against both lefties and righties, and that made him a handy offensive piece—even if his career batting average was only .238.

He didn’t hit for much power, but he came through in big moments. Over 138 games, Miller hit just one home run and drove in 17 runs, so his main value was speed and smart situational hitting.

That September 6, 1979 game against Don Sutton and the Dodgers kind of sums him up. Miller picked up three hits and stole three bases, showing off how his switch-hitting and speed could take over a game.

He focused on getting on base and then making something happen with his legs. Batting from both sides let him face the best possible matchup, which helped him get on base more often.

Post-Retirement and Net Worth Information

After his MLB career ended in 1984, Eddie Miller stepped away from pro baseball. Not much public info exists about what he did next.

His finances reflect the modest earnings a lot of players from his era experienced.

Career After Baseball

Eddie Miller kept his post-baseball life mostly private. He didn’t follow the path of some former players who get into coaching or broadcasting.

A lot of guys from Miller’s time went back home and found work in different fields. Some started businesses, others just found regular jobs. Miller probably found something that fit his background and skills back in California.

There isn’t any specific info about what Miller did after 1984. He seems to have chosen a quieter life, away from the attention that follows a lot of former athletes.

Estimated Net Worth

Reliable sources don’t offer any public info about Eddie Miller’s net worth. Players from the late 1970s and early 1980s made a lot less than athletes do now.

He played in 138 MLB games over parts of seven seasons. That limited action probably meant he didn’t earn much compared to regular starters back then.

Miller posted a .238 batting average and had a short MLB career, so he likely earned mostly minimum salaries. He spent most of his time in minor league baseball, where the pay was honestly pretty low.

Since we don’t have any financial disclosures or recent interviews, any guesses about his net worth would just be speculation.