Books and articles about Hack Miller

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After brief trials with the Dodgers and Red Sox, Chicago native Miller had a spectacular rookie season with the 1922 Cubs, batting .352 with 78 RBI. He followed with 20 homers, 88 RBI, and a .301 average in 1923. The son of a circus strong man, the 5'9" 195-lb Miller generally used a 47-oz bat. He entertained fans and teammates with such feats of strength as bending iron bars with his hands and pounding spikes into wood with his fist protected only by a baseball cap. Ironically, his muscle-bound physique handicapped him defensively, and by May 1925 he was gone from the majors. (ARA)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » September 22, 1916: Brooklyn's Jimmy Johnston swipes 2B, 3B, and home as Rube Marquard 6-hits the Cardinals for a 11–1 win. Brooklyn's Hack Miller makes his first appearance, going hitless in one at bat as a late inning replacement. » August 25, 1922: You can't blame it on the wind as one of the most poorly pitched major-league games ever played takes place in Chicago. The Cubs edge the Phils 26–23 in a game that features 51 hits, 23 walks, and 10 errors. The Phils have the bases loaded in the ninth when the game ends, making a total of 16 left on base; the Cubs leave 9. When the Cubs score 14 runs in the fourth to take a 25–6 lead, OF Marty Callaghan bats 3 times (a since tied record), getting 2 hits and striking out. Modern records are set or tied for total runs (49, by two teams)and hits, most players scoring runs (Phils, 13), and most players scoring 2+ runs (Cubs, 9), most plate appearances (66, by the Phils). The 14-run inning ties the Yankees’ mark of July 6, 1920; The Phils add a run in the fourth to make the two-team total of 15 a record for the inning, as is the second inning total of 13—ten from the Cubs side and 3 from the Phils. Cliff Heathcote of the Cubs sets a modern NL record by reaching base 7 times in the nine-inning game. Hack Miller helps run up the Chicago total with 3-run homers in the second and fourth innings. His first blast is just the second homer to reach the centerfield scoreboard, located at ground level in Cubs Park: Hornsby hit the first last year. The game ends with the Phils leaving the bases loaded. Tony Kaufmann is the winner over Jimmy Ring in the game that lasts a surprisingly short: 3:01. » May 21, 1925: In Brooklyn, Hack Miller pinch-hits in the top of the 9th and triples home Sparky Adams with the Cubs 4th run. But Brooklyn still wins 5–4. It is Miller's last appearance for the Cubs, who will release him on the 24th and he will sign with the Oakland Oaks.