Willie Mills (baseball)
Encyclopedia
William Grant Mills nicknamed Wee Willie, was a professional baseball pitcher
. He briefly pitched for the New York Giants
in 1901.
Mills earned his nickname due to his stature; he stood only 5'7" and weighed about 150 lbs.
Mills first pitched for Utica
in the New York State League in 1899. He would post a 47-26 record with Utica over two seasons, leading the club to the 1900 New York State League championship. In 1901 he began the season with a 13-game winning streak while playing for Schenectady before being called up by the Giants. However, he would only make two appearances for the Giants, earning the loss in both games, before being returned to Schenectady.
During his career, he also pitched for Montreal
, Los Angeles
, Baltimore
, Rochester, and Toronto.
Mills was the father of Art Mills
, who played for the Boston Braves and also coached the Detroit Tigers in their 1945 World Series
victory.
Mills died on July 5, 1914, in Norwood, New York
.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He briefly pitched for the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in 1901.
Mills earned his nickname due to his stature; he stood only 5'7" and weighed about 150 lbs.
Mills first pitched for Utica
Utica Pent-Ups
The Utica Pent-Ups were a minor league baseball team based in Utica, New York that played in the New York State League from 1901 to 1909. Many major league baseball players played for the team, perhaps most notably George Burns....
in the New York State League in 1899. He would post a 47-26 record with Utica over two seasons, leading the club to the 1900 New York State League championship. In 1901 he began the season with a 13-game winning streak while playing for Schenectady before being called up by the Giants. However, he would only make two appearances for the Giants, earning the loss in both games, before being returned to Schenectady.
During his career, he also pitched for Montreal
Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
, Los Angeles
Los Angeles Angels (PCL)
The Los Angeles Angels were a team based in Los Angeles, California that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 through 1957, after which they transferred to Spokane, Washington to become the Spokane Indians. Los Angeles would later become the host city to a Major League Baseball team, the...
, Baltimore
Baltimore Orioles (minor league)
The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
, Rochester, and Toronto.
Mills was the father of Art Mills
Art Mills
Arthur "Art" Grant Mills was a National League baseball pitcher and coach for the Detroit Tigers during their 1945 World Series championship. Born in Utica, New York, he was the son of pitcher Willie Mills....
, who played for the Boston Braves and also coached the Detroit Tigers in their 1945 World Series
1945 World Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 3, 1945 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan-Game 2:Thursday, October 4, 1945 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan-Game 3:Friday, October 5, 1945 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan...
victory.
Mills died on July 5, 1914, in Norwood, New York
Norwood, New York
Norwood is a village located in St. Lawrence County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 1,685.The Village of Norwood is on the town line of two towns so that it is partly in the Town of Potsdam and partly in the Town of Norfolk.The village is north of Potsdam.-...
.