Today in Wheeling History: April 23—Joseph A. "Joe" Miller, former Major League Baseball player and Wheeling's "Grand Old Man of Baseball," died at Wheeling Hospital (1928).
Joseph A. Miller was born on February 17, 1861, in Baltimore, Maryland. Known as "Joe," he became a significant figure in baseball history with connections to Wheeling, West Virginia. Miller's professional baseball career began in Wheeling around 1880 when he starred as a third baseman with the Old Standard team of Wheeling. He was known for his versatility on the field and his exceptional throwing ability. Miller played professionally for two seasons in Major League Baseball—first with the Toledo Blue Stockings in 1884 and then with the Louisville Colonels in 1885. His professional career continued with teams in Savannah, Georgia; Lacrosse, Wisconsin; Omaha, Nebraska; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Bozeman, Montana. Throughout his career spanning approximately 20 years, Miller maintained a .214 batting average in his major league games. After retiring from baseball, Miller worked for the city of Wheeling in the water works department until health issues forced his retirement three years before his death. He was a devout member of St. Joseph's Cathedral parish. Miller resided at 122 Virginia Street on Wheeling Island with his two sisters, Theresa and Anna. He died on April 23, 1928, at age 67 following complications from a leg amputation and was buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Wheeling.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3x4yja5w), Baseball Reference (https://tinyurl.com/4xytveek), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/3x7ty2fv), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/3w3d5p93), Wheeling Register (https://tinyurl.com/48s5zx6r)
Photo credits: Find a Grave, Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling Register
Joseph A. Miller was born on February 17, 1861, in Baltimore, Maryland. Known as "Joe," he became a significant figure in baseball history with connections to Wheeling, West Virginia. Miller's professional baseball career began in Wheeling around 1880 when he starred as a third baseman with the Old Standard team of Wheeling. He was known for his versatility on the field and his exceptional throwing ability. Miller played professionally for two seasons in Major League Baseball—first with the Toledo Blue Stockings in 1884 and then with the Louisville Colonels in 1885. His professional career continued with teams in Savannah, Georgia; Lacrosse, Wisconsin; Omaha, Nebraska; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Bozeman, Montana. Throughout his career spanning approximately 20 years, Miller maintained a .214 batting average in his major league games. After retiring from baseball, Miller worked for the city of Wheeling in the water works department until health issues forced his retirement three years before his death. He was a devout member of St. Joseph's Cathedral parish. Miller resided at 122 Virginia Street on Wheeling Island with his two sisters, Theresa and Anna. He died on April 23, 1928, at age 67 following complications from a leg amputation and was buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Wheeling.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3x4yja5w), Baseball Reference (https://tinyurl.com/4xytveek), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/3x7ty2fv), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/3w3d5p93), Wheeling Register (https://tinyurl.com/48s5zx6r)
Photo credits: Find a Grave, Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling Register
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