Milton out for the season

by BK on Jun 11, 2007 8:42 PM EDT Comment 38 comments

Well it looks we don't have to worry about what to do with Milton now. From the Fay:

On Friday, Eric Milton will have season-ending "Tommy John" surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.

That's it. And most likely, Eric Milton has thrown his last pitch for the Reds. Talk about your all time greatest backfires...

Either way, I wish Uncle Milty well in his rehab, and hope somebody gives him back his stapler (or a minor league contract next year). He was always a decent competitor and I remember reading stories in spring training about how he worked his ass off to pitch for this team, contrary to what his results showed. This team is better off with Homer in the rotation instead of him, and there really was no optimism that he would do well in the bullpen, but Tommy John is still no fun.

Good luck, Milton, and enjoy the 20 million dollars that we gave you to throw batting practice.

R. I. P.

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For all his overpaid suckitude

Milton really did seem like a very likable guy.

by Geki on Jun 11, 2007 8:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that's what they said about Paul Wilson!

That fish is three days old. I ain't buying it.

by Red Menace on Jun 11, 2007 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Happy Gillmore

were there bonus points?

2007 Reds Threat Level is Green

by Slyde on Jun 11, 2007 9:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely.

They're in the mail, standard 2-3 business day shipping.

"I'm just like everybody else. I have two arms, two legs, and four-thousand hits." - Pete Rose

by BK on Jun 11, 2007 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Has that ligament been torn

for the past three seasons?

Seriously, are we just now finding this? Did I miss some big announcement recently? WTF?

Think lucky and if that doesn't work, blame it on the rookies. - Jerry Narron's philosophy on baseball

by Ash on Jun 11, 2007 9:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They say he was a good guy who worked hard

so did Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Barney. Enuff said about Eric Milton.

If you meet the Buddha in the lane, feed him the ball. Phil Jackson

by Madville on Jun 11, 2007 9:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ford was a good President

by justin0070000 on Jun 12, 2007 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And in other injured pitcher news...

...Eddie Guardado just took the mound for the Bats.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Jun 11, 2007 9:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Guardado

Walked the first batter, then got a DP and a K to end the inning. 1.0 IP, 16 pitches.

He's going back to Dayton to pitch on Wednesday. I guess because the Bats are off on Wednesday.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Jun 11, 2007 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

pretty sad

he really should hang 'em up. poor guy. apparently was a really hard worker.

timothy kremchek. worst. diagnoser. ever.

Blessed be Baseball

by Daedalus on Jun 11, 2007 9:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

worst. ___________. ever.

Think lucky and if that doesn't work, blame it on the rookies. - Jerry Narron's philosophy on baseball

by Ash on Jun 11, 2007 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stapler?

Too bad he never sat on the EASY button...

Currently Under Construction.

by crolfer on Jun 11, 2007 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't know what Kremchek had to do with this

Often MRI's do not show if a pitcher has a torn legament or tendon. He may have told Milton he had a partial tear, and Milton may have elected to try to rehab it first. With his major drop in velocity, it had to happen this year. He was topping out at 86.

by justin0070000 on Jun 12, 2007 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Geez what a good guy

I do feel bad for him he worked hard and is getting 10 mil at the end of this season...I couldn't believe what hell he is going through...Mo Vaughn hell? haha jk but seriously good luck to him and the team that picks him up

"Well you have short term, middle term, long term depends what term you are talking about"-Sweaterpants

by Zach K on Jun 11, 2007 9:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

he'll sign with Washington

and come back and throw a two hitter against the Reds in GABP.
Let it be written, let it be done.

by Caleb on Jun 11, 2007 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha

Yeah and Lopez will go 4-4 with 2 HR...I can't wait till we play the nats again...our favorite pitcher plays for them

"Well you have short term, middle term, long term depends what term you are talking about"-Sweaterpants

by Zach K on Jun 11, 2007 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ashnarronlovechild

There I was, there I was, there I was.... In the Congo.

by sukr on Jun 12, 2007 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fun with press releases

Reds Add Milton to Rotation

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Reds general manager Dan O'Brien today announced the signing of free agent All-Star LHP Eric Milton to a 3-year contract, with the player holding an opt-out provision for the 2007 season. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Once an All-Star always an All-Star.

Milton, 29, in his Major League career is 71-57 with a 4.76 ERA in 200 appearances, including 199 starts, for the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies.

Milton in his Cincinnati career was 16-27 with a 5.78 ERA in 66 appearances.

In 2001 he was named to the American League All-Star team.

In 2005-2007 he was named to zero All-Star teams.

In 3 postseason appearances, all for the Twins in 2002 and 2003, Milton is 1-0 with a 1.65 ERA.

In 3 years with the Reds Milton made zero postseason appearances.

Against the Angels on September 11, 1999, Milton had a career-high 13 strikeouts while throwing the fifth no-hitter in Twins history.

Against the Diamondbacks on May 26th, 2006, Milton had a Reds-career-high 9 strikeouts while throwing an 8-inning three-hitter. The Reds lost 3-0.

Milton spent last season with the Phillies and went 14-6 with a 4.75 ERA in 34 starts.

In his best year with the Reds Milton went 8-8 with a 5.19 ERA in 26 starts.

He led the staff in victories, starts, innings pitched (201.0) and strikeouts (161). In his first season in the National League, Milton ranked sixth in the circuit with a .700 winning percentage.

Oh dear God, I give up. Winning percentage? There's still this at the end of the release:

Also today, the Reds signed to a minor league contract and invited to Major League Spring Training camp 1B/OF Jacob Cruz. Cruz, 31, last season appeared in 96 games for the Reds and led the club's pinch hitters in hits, at bats and RBI. His .327 batting average with runners in scoring position was second-best among all Reds batters with at least 50 at bats.

Sexy!

by Red Menace on Jun 12, 2007 1:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

I totally forgot about Cruz

"Well you have short term, middle term, long term depends what term you are talking about"-Sweaterpants

by Zach K on Jun 12, 2007 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i, for one,

am glad to get this eric milton thing over with. he left us with $25 million, and we can now presumably spend that money on players who don't fucking suck. we can only get better from getting milton off the books. so, in a way, thanks milty.

by boobs on Jun 12, 2007 3:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and

i am in an elevated altitude, but i just noticed that "R.I.P." under the stapler. classy and classic. like italian shit.

by boobs on Jun 12, 2007 3:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rolled the dice...

We're railing Kriv pretty hard for not making bold moves, I'd say signing Milton was a bold move. It may not have been the wisest, but there was a serious lack of arms in the organization at the time of his signing....and I would have settled for .500 record and 4.75 ERA, which were about his career norms if I remember correctly.

I dont understand how a torn ligament was not diagnosed. (see Guardado, Eddie)

boobs nailed it on the head, sad to see the stapler icon be retired. First the lizard, then the stapler. Sad days here @ RR.

Someone resurrect the Jules photoshop to revive Bronson's season, he takes the mound tonight.

by obc on Jun 12, 2007 8:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just for you, obc

And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger!

I may have to work on a new one for today. That picture of Arroyo is a little outdated.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Green

by Slyde on Jun 12, 2007 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Via Con Diablo, Meeltone!

The shitty bitter-sweet to me: Even if we were to eliminate all the big cabbage players and start with a semi-blank sheet, I don't have the slightest bit of faith Krivsky Kreme would know what to do. Sigh.

There I was, there I was, there I was.... In the Congo.

by sukr on Jun 12, 2007 9:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting note:

Milton's total contract: 25 million
Milton's total wins: 16

That's $1,562,500 for every win. Jeesh.

"I'm just like everybody else. I have two arms, two legs, and four-thousand hits." - Pete Rose

by BK on Jun 12, 2007 10:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Works better...

If you divide by the number of opposing HR given up.

Milton's total contract: $25 million
Milton's total home runs given up: 74

That's only $337,837.84 for every home run given up, a much better number.

See? Doesn't that make you feel better?

"That which is repeated will happen a third time."

by Paul Householder on Jun 12, 2007 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry...

73 HR given up, so that's $342,465.75 per home run, but you get the point.

"That which is repeated will happen a third time."

by Paul Householder on Jun 12, 2007 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Injury history

Anyone know why Milton missed most of 2003? Was it the same elbow? I wonder if insurance is picking up any of the remaining tab.

With Milton and Mays now former Reds, expect a Brad Radke signing for the stretch run.

by ken on Jun 12, 2007 10:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Reconstructive knee surgery

Milton has a bum knee. That may have cnotributed to his lose in velocity, and his arm injury. Remeber before he minor knee surgery last spring and april, when he threw a few games in the mid-90's, or did I just dream that?

by justin0070000 on Jun 12, 2007 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

NO HITTER?!

eric milton threw a no hitter?? eh, it was '99, he was probably on steroids. everyone was doing it back then. like crack in the 80s.

Barry Larkin is better than 10 super bowls put together

by Charlie Scrabbles on Jun 12, 2007 10:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No Hitter..

September 11, 1999
Metrodome

Anaheim Angels
Name     Pos     AB     R     H     RBI
Jeff Davanon     3     0     0     0
Orlando Palmeiro 2     0     0     0
Todd Greene     3     0     0     0
Troy Glaus     3     0     0     0
Steve Decker     3     0     0     0
Matt Luke     3     0     0     0
Bret Hemphill     3     0     0     0
Trent Durrington 3     0     0     0
Andy Sheets     3     0     0     0
Totals     26     0     0     0

Minnesota Twins
Name     Pos     AB     R     H     RBI
Jacque Jones     4     1     1     0
Dennis Hocking     4     1     2     3
Matt Lawton     3     1     1     0
Terry Steinbach 4     1     2     1
Todd Walker     3     0     0     0
Corey Koskie     4     1     2     1
Torii Hunter     4     1     1     0
Doug Mientkiewicz 3     1     1     0
Cleatus Davidson 3     0     0     1
Totals     32     7     10     6

Hitting & Fielding Notes

Caught Stealing: Davanon, Hocking.
Double Play: Sheets-Durrington-Luke.
Doubles: Mientkiewicz, Steinbach, Koskie.
Error: Hemphill.
GIDP: Steinbach.
Home Run: Hocking.
Left On Base: Anaheim 1, Minnesota 4.
Stolen Base: Lawton.
Triples: Steinbach, J.Jones.

Line Score
Team     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     R     H     E
Anaheim     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     1
Minnesota     1     3     0     0     2     0     0     1     x     7     10     0

Anaheim Angels
Name     IP     H     R     ER     BB     SO
Ramon Ortiz (L)
4.1     7     6     6     1     3
Alan Levine
1.2     0     0     0     0     0
Mike Holtz
    1     1     0     0     0     1
Steve Mintz
1     2     1     1     1     1

Minnesota Twins
Name IP H R ER BB SO
Eric Milton (W)
9 0 0 0 2 13

Pitching Notes

Balk: Ortiz.
Hit Batters: Lawton (Ortiz).

Game Notes

Attendance: 11,222.
Umpires
HP: Tim Welke.
1B: Tim Tschida.
2B: Terry Craft.
3B: Jim Joyce.
Length of game: 2:28.

--------------------------------------------
Thoughts:
* Another good outing for Ramon Ortiz. I sure do miss that Milton-Ortiz tandem we had.
* Yikes! 11,222 in attendance..
* As BK pointed out, Milty got $1,562,500 for every win. Wow, that's like Roger Clemens money.

by RiverfrontDave on Jun 12, 2007 11:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I expect him to bounce back

I expect him to bounce back from surgery and become a much more effective pitcher at a much lower price, for someone else. That's the basic injustice of it all.

by Billingsfan on Jun 12, 2007 11:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

hopefully he works hard nad is able to come back. And I always root for those guys. Plus I'll miss posting Milton quotes. Thanks God McBeth is here

by Caleb on Jun 12, 2007 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come Back?

I'll bet 100 Red-Reporter Dollars that Milton doesn't pitch more than 15 innings from this point on..

by RiverfrontDave on Jun 12, 2007 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Milton's class

At least the Reds can take some solace in that they weren't the only team to hand out a questionable K to a SP. Also signing in the winter of 2004 were:

Carl Pavano, 4 years, $40mm (19 starts so far)
Matt Clement, 3, 25.5 (hurt for much of last year and all of this year)
Jaret Wright, 3, 21 (Traded to Baltimore with $$ this year)
Russ Ortiz, 4, 33 (actually released by AZ)

Some deals were arguably worth it or at least provided some value:

Derek Lowe, 4, 36 (200+ IP/yr, better than average ERA+, probably the best of all of these deals)
Jon Lieber, 3, 21 (decent '05 and so far this year)
Kris Benson, 3, 22.5 (out this year but around average in the last two years)
David Wells, 2, 8.2
Pedro, 4, 52

by ken on Jun 12, 2007 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

memory lane

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/reds_signed_milton/P0/

Here was Dan Szymborski's take at the BTF Transaction Oracle.

Cincinnati Reds - Signed P Eric Milton to a 3-year contract worth $25.5 million.

Let's put this the simplest way possible without resorting to foul language.

Imagine Carl Lindner taking $25.5 million in cash out of his bank account. After defecating on the money, Lindner proceeds to strangle the Filipino hooker that witnessed his currency defoulment in full view of a group of tourists with video cameras, Lindner then charges into a police station brandishing an empty shotgun. On top of this, he admits that he picked Sam Bowie in the NBA draft, pre-empted the Raiders/Jets game with Heidi, and advised Neville Chamberlain in the late 30's.

Uncle Carl is likely to get a better return on his investment under the set of conditions laid out in the previous paragraph than from his investment in Eric Milton, who's as overrated as Eric Gregg is fat.

by Red Menace on Jun 12, 2007 3:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs