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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Wade Miller #52 of the Houston Astros pitches during a game against the San Francisco Giants at Pac Bell Park on September 20,2001 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by: Tom Hauck/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today we unveil our 13th installment of the Legends Series, featuring pitcher Wade Miller. Prior to tearing his rotator cuff, Wade was one of the brightest pitchers in the major leagues.
Q: There was that three-year stretch with the Astros in which you won 45 games, fueled at one point by a 12-game winning streak, but the number could’ve been higher. Were you actually hurt in 2003 and just kept playing?
A: I wasn’t 100% but I don’t want to make excuses or anything. I wasn’t hurt enough to not be out there pitching.
Q: You look back at all of those starts and your overall durability in that span, 91 starts over three years, that durability and taking the ball every fifth day. That has to still mean something all these years later?
A: That was one of the most important things, was to be out there. Honestly, that’s why I was there. When I was hurt, it hurt me not to be out there with the guys, that was the worst thing. When healthy to take the ball every five days, that was a privilege.
Q: The backend of your Astros career, Roger Clemens came to town. I think it’s an injustice that he has to wait until 2031 to reappear on the ballot. What are your thoughts on Roger and the career he had?
A: I don’t think he was doing anything in the early part of his career. He was just amazing. I don’t think there should be an asterisk or anything. I think one day he will get into the Hall of Fame. He was one of the very best that I ever played with and for him not to be in there, it’s a shame, it really is.
Q: Toughest hitter you ever faced?
A: By far Barry Bonds, by a landslide (laughs) You couldn’t throw stuff over the plate to that guy. I would always throw hard inside stuff to him and I did strike him out in my career, but he hit some balls off of me that are still going.
One time, I threw him a really good change up and he hit it off the end of his bat and I thought it would be a fly out to center field, but it wound up going ten rows into the seats.
Q: Favorite Jimi Williams story?
A: Jimi was great! One day, I’m in the dugout with Roy Oswalt and we’re flicking pumpkin seeds. I couldn’t really flick seeds to save my life, but Roy is flicking these things and hitting the first base chalk over and over.
Dave Mlicki is on the mound and is in a tough spot in the 6th inning with runners on base in a tight game. He’s in a tough spot and he’s getting his pitch selection from the catcher and Roy flips one and it travels and lands literally right next to Dave’s foot on the mound.
Mlicki sees it and steps up off the rubber. Everyone in the dugout sees this, I’m like oh my god and Jimi looks over at me because Roy says, “Wade what did you do?” (laughs)
I was caught in the crossfire between Roy and Jimi. After the game, Jimi didn’t say anything to me about it but it was incredible because that seed easily traveled over 50 yards and it almost got my ass in trouble.
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