Your 1981 Red Sox Pt. 16: Rick Miller

In this series, I will look at each player who played in 1981, the year I was born. Because, why not?

Rick Miller was a second round draft pick by the Red Sox in the 1969 draft, the same draft that produced Dwight Evans (fifth round).  He made his debut for the Red Sox  just two years later and spent the first seven seasons in Boston, mainly as a platoon outfielder and injury insurance.  He had a few decent seasons, but was never really all that good.  He did have some speed though, which was an element in short supply in Boston in the 1970's.  After the 1977 season, Miller signed with the California Angels, where he played the next three seasons.

In December of 1980, Miller was re-acquired by the Red Sox along with Mark Clear and Carney Lansford in the deal that sent Butch Hobson and fan favorite Rick Burleson to California.  The deal ended up working out well for Boston as Hobson was immediately a non-factor and Burleson's career was derailed by injuries.  Miller was the least impressive part of the return, but he was the team's regular center-fielder in 1981.  

Miller had one of his better seasons in 1981, hitting .291/.349/.377.  He had next to no power, hitting just two home runs and his speed had declined (three stolen bases and caught five times).  Unfortunately, Boston did not really have too many other options at center (Lynn had been traded) and his hitting and defense were decent enough.  The problem was that they kept putting him out there for a couple more years.

Miller stayed with Boston through the end of his career in 1985 despite diminishing returns each season.  He was a regular in 1982, despite a bad year, then was replaced in center by Tony Armas in 1983.  He was a utility outfielder the rest of his career.