Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach Ray Miller has died. He was 75.
Miller was with Jim Leyland’s staff from 1987 until Leyland left in 1996 and was instrumental in helping develop Pirates pitchers during their back-to-back-to-back division championships in the early 1990s.
Miller was also a manager for both the Minnesota Twins between 1985-1986 and the Baltimore Orioles in 1998-99.
The Pirates released the following statement following Miller's passing:
“Ray Miller was a beloved member of the Pirates organization for 10 seasons whose passion and dedication played an instrumental role in the team’s three straight Postseason appearances from 1990-92.
“He was respected not only as a pitching coach by players in the Pirates organization, but also throughout the entire game of baseball.
“We are saddened to hear of his passing and offer our thoughts and prayers to his family during this difficult time.”
The Takoma Park, Maryland native also played Minor League baseball as a pitcher but never made it to the Majors, getting as high as Triple-A.
His pitching philosophy was simple: “Work fast, throw strikes, change speeds.” It was that philosophy that helped Doug Drabek go 22-6 with an ERA of 2.76 in 1990, winning the Cy Young that year.
Miller just had a birthday on April 30.