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

Eddie Milner built a solid nine-season career in Major League Baseball as a speedy center fielder, best known for his defense and base-stealing. He spent most of his time with the Cincinnati Reds from 1980 to 1988, and had a short run with the San Francisco Giants in 1987. Fans in Cincinnati relied on him during the years after the Big Red Machine era.

Milner wrapped up his MLB career with a .252 batting average, 42 home runs, 195 RBIs, and 145 stolen bases in 804 games before he retired after the 1988 season. He notched some impressive stats, but his career also reflected personal struggles, especially with substance abuse, which played a role in his early exit from baseball.

Milner’s story is one of a talented athlete who rose from humble beginnings to the majors, found success, and then faced some tough personal challenges. His journey from a small-town Ohio kid to a regular in the big leagues gives a glimpse into both the highs and pressures of pro baseball in the 1980s.

Eddie Milner’s Professional Baseball Career

Eddie Milner spent nine seasons in Major League Baseball from 1980 to 1988, mostly as a center fielder for the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants. He stood out for his speed and defense, but substance abuse issues eventually shortened his career.

Major League Debut and Early Years

Eddie Milner debuted in Major League Baseball on September 2, 1980, with the Cincinnati Reds at age 25. He played in only three games that season as a pinch-hitter and pinch-runner. He didn’t get a hit in three at-bats but did manage to score a run.

The strike-shortened 1981 season gave him another shot. On September 25, 1981, he picked up his first major league hit—a run-scoring double off Atlanta reliever Steve Bedrosian.

“I rounded second and tripped,” Milner recalled about that first hit. “The guys were really laughing at that.”

By 1982, Milner finally landed a regular starting spot. He played 113 games and hit .268, quickly making a name for himself as a defensive standout in center field. His speed showed right away, and he threw out eight baserunners from the outfield.

Cincinnati Reds Contributions

Milner’s most productive years unfolded during his long stint with the Cincinnati Reds from 1980 to 1986. In 1983, he played a career-high 146 games, hit .261 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs, and stole a career-best 46 bases.

His best offensive season came in 1985 under manager Pete Rose. He hit .254 with 35 stolen bases and scored a career-high 82 runs.

The next year, Milner put together a 20-game hitting streak and set career highs with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs.

Key Cincinnati Reds Statistics:

• Games Played: 781 (over seven seasons)
• Batting Average: .252
• Home Runs: 42
• Stolen Bases: 145
• Runs Scored: 349

Milner became a reliable center fielder thanks to his range and arm strength. He often led the team in outfield assists.

San Francisco Giants Tenure

The Cincinnati Reds traded Milner to the San Francisco Giants on January 8, 1987, for pitcher Frank Williams and minor-leaguers Mike Villa and Timber Mead. This move sent him to a team that would go on to win the National League West.

Milner played in 101 games for the Giants in 1987. He hit .252, didn’t show much power, but still helped the team with his speed and veteran presence. His personal struggles, though, started to take a toll on his performance.

The Giants let Milner go after the 1987 season. That single year in San Francisco gave him a fresh start, but it also marked the beginning of tougher times that would soon end his career.

Retirement in 1988

Milner went back to the Cincinnati Reds organization in 1988, hoping for a comeback. Personal issues, however, got in the way. MLB suspended him in March for substance abuse violations, first for a year, then reduced to 81 days.

After finishing a rehab program, Milner returned and played with Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Nashville. He only appeared in 23 games for the Reds that season, hitting just .176.

He retired after the 1988 season at age 33. His final career stats: .252 batting average, 42 home runs, 195 RBIs, and 145 stolen bases in 804 games. He shares a major league record with Cesar Tovar as one of only two players to get hits in five one-hitters.

“His problems might have cost Eddie about $10 million,” said Reds special assistant Gene Bennett. “He was Deion [Sanders] before Deion. He was that good.”

Key Achievements and Memorable Performances

Eddie Milner’s nine years in MLB showed off his speed and defensive skills, making him one of the most dependable center fielders of the 1980s. His 1986 season stood out, and his rare record of getting hits in five one-hitters is still something you don’t see every day.

Career Highlights

Milner’s best statistical season came in 1986 with the Reds. He posted career highs with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs while staying sharp defensively in center.

His speed was always a threat. Over nine seasons, Milner swiped 145 bases, with his peak in 1983 when he stole 46 bases. In 1985, he scored a personal best 82 runs.

He ended his career with a .252 batting average, 42 home runs, and 195 RBIs in 804 games. Teams valued his consistency as a leadoff hitter and center fielder.

Notable Games and Moments

Milner’s first major league hit came on September 25, 1981, against the Atlanta Braves. He doubled off Steve Bedrosian to drive in a run, but tripped rounding second, which got a good laugh from his teammates.

His 20-game hitting streak in 1986 marked the peak of his offensive play. That stretch lined up with his best home run numbers.

He pulled off the unusual feat of getting hits in five one-hitters, a record he shares only with Cesar Tovar. Not many players can say they’ve done that.

Legacy as a Center Fielder

Milner built a reputation as one of the fastest and most reliable center fielders of the 1980s. His defense really stood out during his regular years with Cincinnati from 1982 to 1986.

In 1982, he racked up eight assists in the outfield, showing off his throwing arm. His range in center field made him especially valuable to the Reds as they rebuilt in the mid-1980s.

Gene Bennett, a Reds special assistant, compared Milner to Deion Sanders. “He was Deion before Deion. He was that good,” Bennett said, pointing out just how talented Milner was when he was healthy and focused.

College Baseball and Early Life

Eddie Milner’s road to Major League Baseball started in Columbus, Ohio, where he grew up in a sports-loving family before heading to Central State University. His short but impactful college career got the attention of Reds scouts in 1976.

Columbus, Ohio Roots

Eddie James Milner Jr. was born on May 21, 1955, in Columbus, Ohio. He was the fourth of seven kids born to Eddie James Milner Sr. and Evangeline Milner.

Sports ran deep in the Milner family. His brother Hobson Milner got drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 12th round of the 1982 NFL draft. His cousin John Milner also played in the major leagues as a first baseman and outfielder.

Eddie stood out in several sports during high school. He played football well enough to get offers from Ohio University, and he was a skilled wrestler who received an offer from the University of Iowa.

But baseball turned out to be his real passion. Milner first accepted a spot to play baseball at Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, a Division III school.

His college plans got derailed right away. He injured his back lifting weights before the season and never played for Muskingum.

Central State University Baseball

After the injury, Milner went back home to Columbus. He worked at a steel mill and played baseball in a summer league.

That summer league performance caught the eye of coaches from Central State University, an NAIA school in Wilberforce, Ohio. They offered him a scholarship.

Milner played two years at Central State. He impressed scouts enough for them to take a closer look.

Central State turned out to be a key step in his baseball journey. “The coach took me and a few guys to this baseball clinic,” Milner said. “I didn’t want to go, but the guys talked me into it.”

That clinic changed his outlook. “I had never thought of myself as a professional baseball player, but the scouts told me I had professional skills,” he remembered.

Draft and Transition to the Majors

The Cincinnati Reds drafted Milner in the 21st round in 1976. That draft also included future big leaguers Paul Householder, Bill Dawley, Jay Howell, Tim Laudner, and Pat Sheridan.

Not knowing much about the process, Milner signed for “little or nothing because I didn’t know how the draft worked.”

The Reds sent him to the Billings Mustangs, their Rookie League affiliate in the Pioneer League. In his first pro season, he led the team in triples (3), stolen bases (17), and walks (49).

Scouts and coaches immediately noticed his speed and defense in center field. Those skills would define his nine-year major league career.

Moving from Central State to pro baseball set him on the path to the majors by 1980.

Personal Life Beyond Baseball

Eddie Milner lived a life shaped by strong family ties and his battles with substance abuse. His athletic family and baseball connections gave him a foundation, while his later community work showed his desire to help others.

Family Background

Eddie Milner grew up in a family deeply involved in sports. He was born on May 21, 1955, in Columbus, Ohio, and sports were a big part of his childhood.

His brother Hobson Milner took a different path, getting drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 12th round of the 1982 NFL draft. The family clearly had a wide range of athletic talent.

Eddie’s cousin John Milner also played Major League Baseball as a first baseman and outfielder.

This environment fueled Eddie’s competitive spirit from a young age. He excelled at several sports in high school, including wrestling and football, before he turned his focus to baseball.

Off-Field Activities

Milner’s personal life wasn’t easy. He faced serious challenges with substance abuse, which affected his career and his relationships in the 1980s.

He went through multiple rehabilitation attempts, but his addiction issues eventually led to his MLB suspension in 1988.

After his suspension, Milner worked hard to rebuild his life. He got involved in community work, using his story to help others struggling with addiction.

Community involvement became a big part of his later years. Milner used his experience as a former pro athlete to support people dealing with substance abuse, and he became a symbol of hope for those looking for a second chance.

Connections within Professional Baseball

Milner built a baseball network that stretched beyond his immediate family. His cousin, John Milner, gave him a direct link to the professional baseball world—John played in the majors before Eddie even started his own career.

Eddie went to Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. He honed his skills there until the Cincinnati Reds picked him in the 21st round of the 1976 amateur draft.

He broke up five no-hit attempts, tying him with Cesar Tovar for a major league record. That accomplishment connected him with baseball history in a way that fans still remember.

On August 2, 1986, he got the record-tying hit against a pitcher’s no-hit bid. This moment really showed his knack for coming through in clutch situations.

Retirement Years and Later Life

After baseball, Eddie Milner faced personal struggles with substance abuse and got involved in community work. He died on November 2, 2015, in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.

Life After MLB

Milner wrapped up his baseball career in 1988 after nine seasons in the majors. He finished with a .252 batting average, 42 home runs, and 195 RBIs in 804 games.

He also stole 145 bases, showing off his speed on the field.

After leaving professional baseball, Milner moved back to Columbus, Ohio, where he’d grown up. Adjusting to life outside of sports turned out to be a tough challenge for him.

He started getting involved in community work during his post-baseball years. Milner tried to use his own experiences to help others who faced similar struggles.

Challenges and Personal Journeys

Milner’s retirement years were shaped by his ongoing battles with substance abuse. Those struggles affected his baseball career and continued to follow him after he left the game.

He made several attempts at rehabilitation, working hard to overcome addiction. The results varied, but he kept trying.

Despite everything, Milner found ways to give back to his community. He became a symbol of hope for people fighting addiction.

He didn’t shy away from sharing his story, and that honesty helped others realize recovery was possible.

The lifestyle and pressure of professional sports played a role in his struggles. Milner’s story really makes you wonder if athletes get enough support during and after their careers.

Passing and Memorial

Eddie Milner died on November 2, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio, at age 60. His passing marked the end of a life filled with both baseball achievements and personal battles.

The baseball community remembered Milner for his speed and defensive skills in center field. Fans still talk about his ability to cover ground and make those spectacular catches.

But his legacy went beyond stats. Milner was known for helping others face addiction and for his community work after baseball.

His story reminds us of the human side of professional sports. He showed both the highs of athletic success and the tough realities many athletes deal with after their playing days.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Eddie Milner’s baseball legacy centers on his outstanding defense and speed. Teammates and opponents respected him for those skills.

Later, his openness about addiction became a powerful tool for helping others.

Recognition Among Peers

Milner’s defense in center field made him stand out among players in the 1980s. Gene Bennett, a Reds special assistant, once said, “He was Deion [Sanders] before Deion. He was that good.”

His speed and glove were almost legendary. Milner and Cesar Tovar are the only two players to get a hit in five one-hitters—a rare feat that shows he could handle pressure.

Career Highlights:

• 145 stolen bases in nine seasons
• Career-high 46 stolen bases in 1983
• Strong defensive reputation in center field
• 20-game hitting streak in 1986

Bennett guessed that Milner’s drug problems cost him about $10 million in potential earnings. That says a lot about how much talent people saw in him before things got difficult.

Influence on Future Generations

After he retired, Milner decided to become an ordained evangelist in 1997. He leaned on his baseball experience and recovery journey to help others who faced similar challenges.

He focused his ministry work on sharing how faith helped him overcome addiction. Milner talked openly about his cocaine addiction during his playing days, which, honestly, took a lot of courage.

By being so honest, he chipped away at the stigma around mental health and substance abuse in professional sports. More people started having real conversations about these issues because of him.

He worked with young people and kept going to NA and AA meetings. Milner would tell others, “I tell them not to forget the past, to remember it so we can make better decisions in the future.”

His story stands as a cautionary tale about the pressure athletes face. At the same time, he showed that it’s possible to rebuild your life after tough setbacks.