Roy McMillan – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Roy McMillan put together a memorable 16-year run in Major League Baseball, playing shortstop from 1951 to 1966 for the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Braves, and New York Mets.

People started calling McMillan “Mr. Shortstop” because of his outstanding defensive skills. He picked up three Gold Glove Awards and set a major league record with 129 double plays in 1954.

Born in Bonham, Texas, on July 17, 1929, McMillan came from a small town and didn’t have much baseball experience at first. Still, he managed to become one of the top defensive shortstops of his era.

Even though his career batting average sat at just .243, McMillan’s defensive excellence made him crucial to every team he joined during the 1950s and 1960s.

He and second baseman Johnny Temple built one of the best double-play duos of that decade, keeping the Cincinnati Reds’ infield steady for nine seasons.

After his playing days, McMillan managed both the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets. He never really left the game.

If you look at McMillan’s baseball journey, you’ll see how defensive mastery can shape a player’s legacy in pro sports. From his early days in the minors to his spot in the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, his story shows just how much steady, fundamental skills can matter over a long career in America’s pastime.

Roy McMillan’s Baseball Career Highlights

Roy McMillan played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1951 to 1966. He earned a reputation as one of the best defensive shortstops of his time.

He showed off exceptional fielding, winning three Gold Glove Awards and making two All-Star teams while with the Cincinnati Reds.

Major League Baseball Debut

McMillan made his MLB debut on April 16, 1951, with the Cincinnati Reds at only 21 years old. At first, he backed up starting shortstop Virgil Stallcup.

He didn’t get much playing time that year. Reds manager Luke Sewell got frustrated with Stallcup’s performance.

Sewell then promoted McMillan to starting shortstop for the 1952 season. That decision changed the course of both McMillan’s career and the Reds’ future.

Taking over as the starter kicked off McMillan’s nine-season run as the Reds’ main shortstop. His defensive skills quickly impressed everyone, teammates and opponents alike.

Tenure with the Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Redlegs

McMillan’s years with Cincinnati from 1951 to 1960 were the best of his career. People really started calling him “Mr. Shortstop” thanks to his defense.

Defensive Excellence:

• Led the National League in fielding percentage four times
• Led in putouts three times and assists four times
• Led in double plays four years in a row (1953-1956)
• Set a major league record with 129 double plays in 1954

He teamed up with Johnny Temple at second base from 1954 to 1959, and together they formed the second-longest double-play combo in NL history since 1900.

McMillan played at least 150 games in eight different seasons, including six straight years. He brought durability and consistency to the Reds.

Awards and Recognition:

• All-Star selections: 1956, 1957
• Gold Glove Awards: 1957, 1958, 1959
• National League MVP voting: Sixth place in 1956

The Reds had their best season with McMillan in 1956, finishing 91-63, just two games behind the Brooklyn Dodgers. Even though Frank Robinson hit plenty of home runs, the Cincinnati Baseball Writers Association picked McMillan as team MVP.

In 1957, McMillan and six of his teammates landed in the National League All-Star starting lineup after Reds fans stuffed the ballots. The Reds traded McMillan to the Milwaukee Braves on December 15, 1960, for pitchers Joey Jay and Juan Pizarro.

Later Years with Milwaukee Braves and New York Mets

McMillan spent four seasons with the Milwaukee Braves from 1961 to 1964. He brought veteran leadership and steady defense to the team.

With the Braves, McMillan kept up his reliable play at shortstop. He helped keep the infield solid during his time in Milwaukee.

The New York Mets picked up McMillan in 1964, and he played his last seasons from 1964 to 1966. His presence gave the Mets infield some much-needed respectability.

While with the Mets, McMillan mentored young shortstop Bud Harrelson. He helped get Harrelson ready to take over as the starter.

McMillan started a triple play against the Giants on May 31, 1964, in a wild 23-inning game that lasted more than seven hours. That marathon set a National League record for length.

He played his final MLB game on August 3, 1966, at age 37. McMillan retired with a .243 career batting average, 68 home runs, and 594 RBIs in 2,093 games.

McMillan never made the postseason, even after playing more than 2,000 games. His best shot came in 1956, when the Reds finished just two games out.

Defensive Excellence and Awards

Roy McMillan stood out as one of baseball’s best defensive shortstops. His glove work earned him historic Gold Glove honors and multiple All-Star nods during the 1950s.

Origin of the Gold Glove Legacy

In 1957, McMillan made history as the first shortstop to win the new Gold Glove Award. The Sporting News created this award to spotlight the best defenders at each position.

He won three straight Gold Gloves from 1957 to 1959. The first, in 1957, covered all of MLB. The 1958 and 1959 awards were just for the National League after they changed the system.

McMillan’s stats backed up his Gold Glove wins. He led the NL in fielding percentage four times. In 1954, he set a major league record with 129 double plays.

He also led the league in assists four times and putouts three times. Among all major league shortstops, he ranked eighth in double plays turned.

Fans and players alike called him “Mr. Shortstop” for good reason.

All-Star Game Appearances

McMillan made the All-Star team in 1956 and 1957, right in the middle of his best years with the Cincinnati Reds.

His 1956 All-Star selection came the same year the Cincinnati Baseball Writers Association named him the Reds’ MVP. That was pretty impressive, considering he played next to slugger Frank Robinson.

The 1957 All-Star Game got a little wild after Reds fans stuffed the ballot box, putting McMillan and six other Reds in the starting lineup.

Baseball officials had to step in and remove some players from the lineup. McMillan kept his starting spot, though, which showed he truly belonged. He finished sixth in NL MVP voting that year, which says a lot about his impact beyond defense.

Roy McMillan’s Career Statistics and Achievements

Roy McMillan posted a career batting average of .243 with 68 home runs and 594 RBIs in 16 MLB seasons. He racked up 25.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) while playing 2,093 games from 1951 to 1966.

Batting Average and Offensive Numbers

McMillan’s .243 average showed he was more of a defense-first shortstop than a big bat. His best year at the plate came in 1957, when he hit .272 with a .371 on-base percentage for the Reds.

Over his career, McMillan drove in 594 runs and scored 739 times. He tallied 1,639 hits in 16 seasons. His .314 on-base percentage pointed to solid plate discipline for his era.

His offensive numbers dropped off after he left Cincinnati. During his 10 seasons with the Reds, he hit .249 with 395 RBIs.

Home Runs and Doubles

McMillan hit 68 home runs in his career, but never reached double digits in a single season. His best home run year was 1962 with the Braves, when he hit 12.

He found more success with doubles, collecting 253 over his career. His top doubles season was 1952, with 32 for Cincinnati. That one year accounted for nearly 13% of his career doubles.

His power numbers fit the usual shortstop mold of the 1950s and 1960s. Back then, teams cared more about defense and consistency than home run totals from their infielders.

Games Played and WAR

McMillan appeared in 2,093 games during his 16-year career. He played 154 games in both 1952 and 1954, showing just how reliable he was as an everyday player.

He finished with 25.7 career WAR, thanks mostly to his glove. McMillan had his best seasons in the mid-1950s, putting up WAR numbers above 3.0 in both 1955 and 1956.

He won three Gold Gloves and set a major league record with 129 double plays in 1954. His defense always made up for his average bat.

Impact on Major League Baseball and Legacy

Roy McMillan changed what people expected from a shortstop on defense and set new standards for fielding. He helped shape how teams valued defensive specialists in the modern game.

Contributions to Key Teams

McMillan made his biggest impact with the Cincinnati Reds from 1951 to 1960. He started at shortstop for nine seasons and anchored the team’s “wrecking crew” lineup.

The Reds reached their peak in 1956, going 91-63 and finishing third in the NL. McMillan’s defense earned him team MVP that year, even though he only hit three homers.

His partnership with Johnny Temple from 1954 to 1959 made up the second-longest double play combo in NL history since 1900. Together, they kept Cincinnati’s infield steady during the team’s most competitive years.

After the Reds traded him to Milwaukee in 1960, McMillan kept up his solid defense with the Braves through 1963. He wrapped up his career with the New York Mets from 1964 to 1966, playing 157 games at age 35 in 1965.

Influence on Shortstop Position

McMillan raised the bar for shortstops in Major League Baseball. He won the first three Gold Gloves ever given to a shortstop, picking up the inaugural MLB award in 1957 and the first two National League awards in 1958 and 1959.

His fielding records say it all. He led the league in fielding percentage four times, putouts three times, and assists four times.

In 1954, he set a major league record with 129 double plays. Teams started to look for shortstops who could turn the double play like he did.

Hall of Fame third baseman Pie Traynor once said, “McMillan makes his own bounces. He’s the only present-day shortstop who can do that, he can take the ball on the half hop all the time, a very tough play.”

People called him “Mr. Shortstop” for a reason. His defensive skills set the standard for generations of shortstops to come.

Post-Playing Career and Later Life

Roy David McMillan retired from playing in 1966. Right after, he jumped into coaching and managing roles with several organizations.

He spent more than a decade working with teams like the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. Eventually, he moved into scouting before stepping away from baseball for good.

Coaching and Managerial Roles

McMillan started out as a coach for the Jacksonville Suns in 1967. In 1968 and 1969, he managed teams in the New York Mets minor league system, beginning with the Visalia Mets.

The Milwaukee Brewers brought him on as a major league coach in 1970. He coached for three seasons and, for a brief moment in 1972, managed the team for two games after they fired Dave Bristol.

He went back to the New York Mets organization in 1974 as a coach. In 1975, he got his biggest shot as a manager, taking over for Yogi Berra partway through the season.

The team didn’t really improve under him, and the Mets let him go after the season.

Retirement in 1966 and Beyond

After his time with the Mets, McMillan managed in the Minnesota Twins chain from 1977 to 1980. He worked with teams like the Visalia Oaks and Orlando Twins during those years.

His best managerial season came in 1978 when he led the Visalia Oaks to a 97-42 record and a league championship. That year really showed his knack for developing young players in the minors.

In 1982, he took on a scouting job with the Montreal Expos. That marked his last official role in pro baseball.

He settled back in his hometown of Bonham, Texas, where he’d been born on July 17, 1929.

Roy McMillan died on November 2, 1997, in Bonham, Texas. He was 68.

Personal Background and Off-Field Life

Roy David McMillan was born July 17, 1929, in Bonham, Texas, to a barber father and grew up in a small farming community. His off-field life revolved around family, and he eventually earned recognition as one of baseball’s greatest defensive shortstops.

Early Life and Family

He grew up in Bonham, a farming town with about 6,000 people, located 100 miles north of Dallas. His dad, Bob McMillan, cut hair for a living, and his mom was Hazel Curtis McMillan.

At Bonham High School, McMillan played football, basketball, tennis, and ran track. He could run the hundred-yard dash in 10.2 seconds and palm a basketball, which is pretty impressive. Oddly enough, neither his school nor his town had a baseball team, so his later baseball success feels even more unlikely.

He graduated in 1946 and briefly went to Texas A&M University, though he didn’t have a scholarship. He tried out for football but left after just one semester, then headed back to Bonham in February 1947.

On October 26, 1952, Roy married Joan Lawrence. They raised two sons and a daughter together.

A 1957 Sport magazine article mentioned that McMillan liked western movies, duck hunting, and bass fishing during the off-season. He also played a lot of golf, usually shooting around 85.

Recognition and Remembrance

McMillan’s defensive skills caught the attention of baseball’s elite. Hall of Fame third baseman Pie Traynor once admired his unique ability, saying, “McMillan makes his own bounces. He’s the only present-day shortstop who can do that.”

Manager Leo Durocher didn’t hesitate to call Roy “the best defensive shortstop in the game today,” and Eddie Stanky went with “the best glove man around.” Bob Kelly, the Philadelphia Phillies announcer, started calling him “The Suction Cup” because of how well he fielded.

The Cincinnati Reds put McMillan into their Hall of Fame in 1971, and he stood out as the only inductee that year. The team wanted to honor his decade as their starting shortstop from 1951 to 1960.

McMillan passed away from a heart attack on November 2, 1997, at Northeast Medical Center in Bonham. They buried him in Willow Wild Cemetery, right there in the little Texas town where his whole baseball story began.