Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Friday, May 02, 2008
Miller enjoying life away from the diamond
 Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jose Bautista, left, watches Milwaukee Brewers' Damian Miller rounds third base after hitting a two-run home run off Pirates pitcher John Van Benschoten in the fourth inning of baseball action in Pittsburgh, Monday, July 2, 2007. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) |
ONALASKA, Wis. — He’s played baseball against Michael Jordan. He’s left the batter’s box at Yankee Stadium after striking out only to hear Adam Sandler yell, “You suck,” from his front-row seat. When he looked up, he realized Jack Nicholson was sitting next to Sandler.
More than once while toiling in the minor leagues, he was called a “suspect” instead of a “prospect.”
During his first spring training with the Minnesota Twins, he was wound so tight that “you couldn’t have pulled a needle out of my butt with a tractor.” No, no, no, before you get carried away, he had nothing to do with steroids. In fact, he said he might have been naïve, but he didn’t see anyone take them either.
Who is this former major league baseball player? None other than Damian Miller.
Miller, a small-town kid who made the improbably climb from West Salem, Wis., to professional baseball’s highest level. A guy who spent more than 11 years in the major leagues, catching such future Hall of Famers such as Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux. A guy who won a World Series ring as a member of the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks.
A guy who is perfectly content with where he is, what he is, and what he is doing. Miller’s come home, and apparently to stay.
Here he was, spending a Thursday night at Stoney Creek Inn in Onalaska, Wis., speaking to the Wisconsin Associated Press Sports Editors annual meeting. Miller, 38, was colorful, he was relaxed, he was funny, he had great stories to tell. He was a man who admitted his competitive spirit still burns, but the flame isn’t burning hot enough to make him come out of retirement.
“The Yankees have called in the last couple of days, and the Padres called a week or two ago,” Miller said. “That itch is still there, that competitive itch. I just don’t want to deal with the other stuff anymore. I don’t want to go find an apartment, drive to the airport, fly to another hotel and order room service. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that bad, but it’s a lifestyle I’ve had enough of.”
Miller, who has yet to file his retirement papers with major league baseball, said he would listen if the Brewers called, but that’s the only team. Just like he listened before the 2005 season when Ned Yost, Gord Ash and Doug Melvin made the trip to La Crosse and had dinner with Miller at a local restaurant.
It led to his most enjoyable years in the big leagues, Miller said.
“My time in Milwaukee were the best three years I’ve had in my career,” Miller said. “That core of players, that talent, doesn’t come around very often. Prince (Fielder), he’s a rock star waiting to happen.”
What is waiting to happen to Miller? He’s not sure, but that’s what make this chapter of his life so much fun. He’s spending time at home with his wife, Jeanne, daughter Josie, and son, Jesse. He’s coaching a youth soccer team in West Salem, and is planning to help out the West Salem High School baseball team this summer. Oh, there will be a number of fishing and hunting trips over the next year, too.
And there will likely be stories, plenty of stories. Stories that only someone with Miller’s insight can tell. Stories about pitcher Barry Zito, who Miller said liked to shop at thrift stores despite his considerable salary, even when he was with the Oakland A’s.
“Barry would buy these leisure suits,” Miller said, chuckling. “And one time he came wearing a white one….”
Well, let’s just say that Miller went on to say that Zito wasn’t wearing Michael Jordan boxer shorts underneath. It was candid Miller, comedy Miller. A side of Miller many of us have never seen, but hope to see more of.
This guy was entertaining on the field, and now we’re finding out he’s entertaining off it, too.
Jeff Brown can be reached at (608) 791-8403, or at jbrown@lacrossetribune.com
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