Félix Millán
Encyclopedia
Félix Bernardo Millán Martínez (born August 21, 1943) is a former second baseman
in Major League Baseball
.
, made his major league debut on June 2, 1966 with the Atlanta Braves
, and played for Atlanta until 1973. Millan was primarily a second baseman. He played in two All-Star Games, the first in 1969 and the second in 1971; in 1970 he was named an All-Star, but was unable to participate due to injuries. In 1973, he was traded to the New York Mets
, for which he played until 1977. He played for a total of 12 years. His first game was June 2, 1966 for the Atlanta Braves and his final game was August 12, 1977 for the New York Mets. He was forced to retire after sustaining a shoulder injury during an on-field brawl in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates
. Ed Ott
slid hard into Millán trying to break up a double play, Millán shouted at Ott and hit him with a baseball in his hand, and Ott answered by slamming him hard to the turf at Three Rivers Stadium
, severely injuring his shoulder.
On July 21, 1975, Joe Torre
set a record for most double-plays grounded into in a single game (4), with Millán had been batting ahead of Torre. Millán singled in all four of his at-bats. As Torre said, "I'd like to thank Félix Millán for making all of this possible."
Millán's 1976 Topps baseball card, #245, shows his unusual stance, as he choked up almost halfway on the bat.
Millán also played for three seasons in the Japanese Central League
after leaving the majors. He joined the Taiyo Whales in 1978, after the Whales bought his contract from the Mets. He won the batting title in his second year in Japan (1979) with a .346 batting average, and was given the Best Nine Award. He won the title with only 126 hits, barely having enough at-bats to qualify for the title. He did not play well the next year, and was released by the Whales after the 1980 season. In his three years in Japan, he had only 52 strikeouts in 1139 at-bats.
Japanese Central League
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Baseball career
Millán, nicknamed "The Kitten" ("El Gatito" in Spanish), born in Yabucoa, Puerto RicoYabucoa, Puerto Rico
Yabucoa is a small town in the south eastern tip of Puerto Rico located in the southeastern region, north of Maunabo; south of San Lorenzo, Las Piedras and Humacao; and east of Patillas and about one hour from San Juan. Yabucoa is spread over 9 wards and Yabucoa Pueblo...
, made his major league debut on June 2, 1966 with the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, and played for Atlanta until 1973. Millan was primarily a second baseman. He played in two All-Star Games, the first in 1969 and the second in 1971; in 1970 he was named an All-Star, but was unable to participate due to injuries. In 1973, he was traded to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, for which he played until 1977. He played for a total of 12 years. His first game was June 2, 1966 for the Atlanta Braves and his final game was August 12, 1977 for the New York Mets. He was forced to retire after sustaining a shoulder injury during an on-field brawl in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. Ed Ott
Ed Ott
Nathan Edward Ott is a former professional baseball catcher and coach who played in the Major Leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels between 1974 and 1981...
slid hard into Millán trying to break up a double play, Millán shouted at Ott and hit him with a baseball in his hand, and Ott answered by slamming him hard to the turf at Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to...
, severely injuring his shoulder.
On July 21, 1975, Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
set a record for most double-plays grounded into in a single game (4), with Millán had been batting ahead of Torre. Millán singled in all four of his at-bats. As Torre said, "I'd like to thank Félix Millán for making all of this possible."
Millán's 1976 Topps baseball card, #245, shows his unusual stance, as he choked up almost halfway on the bat.
Millán also played for three seasons in the Japanese Central League
Central League
The or is one the two professional baseball leagues that constitute Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship plays against the winner of the Pacific League in the annual Japan Series. It currently consists of six teams from around the country,The Central League...
after leaving the majors. He joined the Taiyo Whales in 1978, after the Whales bought his contract from the Mets. He won the batting title in his second year in Japan (1979) with a .346 batting average, and was given the Best Nine Award. He won the title with only 126 hits, barely having enough at-bats to qualify for the title. He did not play well the next year, and was released by the Whales after the 1980 season. In his three years in Japan, he had only 52 strikeouts in 1139 at-bats.
Stats
Major Leagues- 1480 Games
- 5791 At Bats
- 699 Runs
- 1617 Hits
- 229 Doubles
- 38 Triples
- 22 Home runs
- 242 Strikeouts
- .279 Career batting average
Japanese Central League
- 325 games
- 1139 At-bats
- 162 Runs
- 348 Hits
- 12 Home runs
- 92 RBIs
- 52 Strikeouts
- .306 Batting average