On this day in 1934, former Red Gene Freese was born in Wheeling, WV.
On this day in 1973, former Red Mike Cameron was born in LaGrange, GA.
On this day in 1987, the Reds traded centerfielder Eddie Milner to the San Francisco Giants for right-handed reliever Frank Williams and two minor leaguers who never made the bigs. Milner had a relatively low batting average on balls in play for someone as fast he was. He stole 145 bases in a short career and was also regarded as a very good defensive centerfielder. However, he hit a mere .271 on balls in play. The league's batting average on balls in play was lower in the 1980s, but Milner's marks were still subpar. Here are his figures versus the league average for each of the six seasons in which he made 200 plate appearances or more:
Year | Eddie Milner | National League |
1982 | .289 | .286 |
1983 | .281 | .284 |
1984 | .251 | .287 |
1985 | .265 | .280 |
1986 | .268 | .285 |
1987 | .282 | .290 |
Milner was by no means a power hitter, but he wasn't completely punchless either, averaging eight home runs per 162 games. Does anyone remember why his batting average in general wasn't higher? He didn't strike out too often. The only thing I can figure is that he must not have hit many line drives or hard-hit balls in general.
On this day in 1994, former Red Harvey Haddix died in Springfield, OH at the age of 68.
On this day in 1998, the Reds signed Jose Rijo. He would not pitch again until 2001.
On this day in 2004, the Reds signed Javier Valentin.
On this day in 2006, the Reds signed Rich Aurilia.
Quone picked up the point yesterday.
Eddie Milner finished sixth in the National League with 41 stolen bases in 1983. Which five players had more? Each player is worth one point.