Marvin Miller

Marvin Miller

Marvin Miller Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Nov. 27, 2012.
NEW YORK (AP) - Marvin Miller was a labor economist who never played a day of organized baseball. He preferred tennis. Yet he transformed the national pastime as surely as Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, television and night games.

Miller, the union boss who won free agency for baseball players in 1975, ushering in an era of multimillion-dollar contracts and athletes who switch teams at the drop of a batting helmet, died Tuesday at 95. He had been diagnosed with liver cancer in August.

"I think he's the most important baseball figure of the last 50 years," former baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent said. "He changed not just the sport but the business of the sport permanently, and he truly emancipated the baseball player - and in the process all professional athletes. Prior to his time, they had few rights. At the moment, they control the games."

In his 16 1/2 years as executive director of the Major League Players Association, starting in 1966, M iller fought owners on many fronts, not only achieving free agency but making the word "strike" stand for something other than a pitched ball.

Over the years, his influence on the game was widely acknowledged if not always honored. Baseball fans argue over whether he made the game fairer or more nakedly mercenary, and the Hall of Fame repeatedly rejected him in what was attributed to lingering resentment among team owners.

Players attending the union's annual executive board meeting in New York said their professional lives are Miller's legacy.

"Anyone who's ever played modern professional sports owes a debt of gratitude to Marvin Miller," Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chris Capuano said. "He empowered us as players. He gave us ownership of the game we play. Anyone who steps on a field in any sport, they have a voice because of him."

Major League Baseball's revenue has grown from $50 million in 1967 to $7.5 billion this year. At his last public speaking engagement, a discussion at New York University School of Law in April marking the 40th anniversary of the first baseball strike, Miller said free agency and resulting fan interest contributed to the increase. And both management and labor benefited, he said.

"I never before saw such a win-win situation in my life, where everybody involved in Major League Baseball, both sides of the equation, still continue to set records in terms of revenue and profits and salaries and benefits," Miller said. He called it "an amazing story."

Miller, who retired in 1982, led the first walkout in the game's history 10 years earlier, a fight over pension benefits. On April 5, 1972, signs posted at major league parks simply said: "No Game Today." The strike, which lasted 13 days, was followed by a walkout during spring training in 1976 and a midseason job action that darkened the stadiums for seven weeks in 1981.

Miller led players through three strikes and two lockouts, and ba seball has had eight work stoppages in all.

Slightly built and silver-haired with a thick, dark mustache, Miller operated with an eloquence and a soft-spoken manner that belied his toughness. He clashed repeatedly with Commissioner Bowie Kuhn.

Before Miller took over the union, some players actually opposed his appointment as successor to Milwaukee Judge Robert Cannon, who had counseled them on a part-time but unpaid basis.

"Some of the player representatives were leery about picking a union man," Hall of Fame pitcher and former U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning said in 1974. "But he was very articulate ... not the cigar-chewing type some of the guys expected."

Miller recalled that owners "passed the word that if I were selected, goon squads would take over the game. They suggested racketeers and gangsters would swallow baseball. The players expected a 'dese, dem and dose' guy. The best thing I had going for me was owner propaganda."

He was elected by the pl ayers by a vote of 489-136. Baseball had entered a new era, one in which its owners would have to bargain with a union professional.

When he took over, the union consisted of a $5,400 kitty and a battered file cabinet, and baseball's minimum salary was $6,000. By 1968, Miller had negotiated baseball's first collective bargaining agreement. By 1970, players obtained the right to take disputes before an arbitrator.

Nowadays, baseball's biggest stars make up to $32 million a season, the average salary is more than $3 million and the major league minimum is $480,000. While the NFL, NBA and NHL have salary caps, baseball does not.

Miller's biggest legacy - free agency - represented one of the most significant off-the-field changes in the game's history. The reserve clause that had been in place since 1878 bound a player to the team holding his contract. Miller viewed it as little more than 20th-century slavery.

"Before Marvin, there were no such things as t he negotiations. It was take it or leave it," Hall of Famer Joe Morgan said. "What was your recourse, to quit?"

Acting with union backing, outfielder Curt Flood finally challenged the reserve clause when he refused to report to his new team when he was traded in 1969 from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies. Three years later, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the reserve clause by a 5-3 vote, keeping intact baseball's antitrust exemption.

In 1975, however, the union found a new test case, when pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally refused to re-sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Montreal Expos, respectively. Arbitrator Peter Seitz sided with the players.

The owners went to court, saying the reserve system was not subject to arbitration. Two months later, U.S. District Judge John Watkins Oliver upheld Seitz, and a federal appeals court did the same.

In 1976, management and labor agreed to a contract that allowed players with si x years of major league service to become free agents and sell their services to any team willing to pay. In a 1982 letter to the editor published by The New York Times, Seitz called Miller "the Moses who had led Baseball's Children of Israel out of the land of bondage."

"Marvin possessed a combination of integrity, intelligence, eloquence, courage and grace that is simply unmatched in my experience," said Donald Fehr, a successor to Miller as union head. "Without question, Marvin had more positive influence on Major League Baseball than any other person in the last half of the 20th century."

Yet baseball's Hall of Fame refused to vote him in, despite five appearances on the ballot.

"I and the union of players have received far more support, publicity and appreciation from countless fans, former players, writers, scholars, experts in labor management relations, than if the Hall had not embarked on its futile and fraudulent attempt to rewrite history," Miller said after falling one vote shy in 2010. "It is an amusing anomaly that the Hall of Fame has made me famous by keeping me out."

Miller's next opportunity for election is December 2013.

Former Commissioner Peter Ueberroth said Miller should be inducted "without question."

"He changed the game of baseball," Ueberroth said. "He was very tough, but he was very fair in the end."

Miller was born in New York, the son of a salesman in the heavily unionized garment district. He was born with a withered right arm, which didn't prevent him from playing tennis into his 90s. His mother was a schoolteacher. He studied economics at Miami University in Ohio and New York University.

He entered the labor field in 1950 as an associate director of research for the United Steelworkers Union. In 1960, he was promoted to assistant to union president David McDonald. When McDonald lost a hotly contested election, Miller began looking for a new job.

Miller remained current on baseball events right up until his death, never hesitating to criticize owners for collusion and the union for agreeing to drug testing.

He is survived by his daughter, Susan; son, Peter; and a grandson. His wife, Terry, died in 2009. Susan Miller said her father wanted his body donated to science. She said the family had not decided whether to hold a service.

___

RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer

AP Baseball Writer Ben Walker contributed to this report.


Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Sign Marvin Miller's Guest Book

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November 27, 2017

A Caring Neighbor posted to the memorial.

November 28, 2016

Harry Simpson posted to the memorial.

December 3, 2012

Gigi Van Deckter posted to the memorial.

16 Entries

A Caring Neighbor

November 27, 2017

My heartfelt condolences and prayers for the Miller family. May Almighty God grant solace during this most challenging time. Marvin was truly an amazing and accomplished man of integrity. He will be truly missed. With Love & Prayers

Harry Simpson

November 28, 2016

Godspeed....

Gigi Van Deckter

December 3, 2012

First my sincere condolences to your family, for your loss of a great man.
I worked, briefly, for Marvin as a very young person at major league baseball players association and of course, I learned much about unions and tennis!
Marvin was a thinking person who believed in unions and creating a more level playing field for the players through his wise vision, determination and lovely sense of humour.
I recall how we went together (he invited me to join him) to throw the ball in for the opening of the baseball season and then after an appropriate interval we left to watch tennis matches in a private club on the upper east side. He used to play tennis and truly loved it. But his players of baseball meant the world to him as a union man and he fought for them with vigor and created much to give them opportunity.
His ethical wisdom and positive point of view made him well loved by all who were lucky enough to know him and work with him.
God bless you Marvin Miller.
Gigi Van Deckter

Stuart Hodesh

November 29, 2012

To Susan & Peter,
I met your Dad at the SABR Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2004. Your Mother was with him as they were going to Kentucky to visit family after the convention.
Prior to the convention when people heard Marvin Miller was the guest of honor and the featured speaker the entire SABR organization was looking forward to Marvin Miller's appearance. SABR members could not believe that our chapter (through the efforts of Paul Herbert and others) could get Marvin Miller to attend.
All I can tell you is that when Marvin Miller walked into the Reception Hall (that was filled to capacity) and took his place at the head table their was an electricity that filled the air. Everyone knew that they were in the same room as someone special. Marvin Miller held the attendees in the palm of his hand as he gave a talk that was second to known. And he did it with no notes. After he was done with his talk everyone stood and gave him a standing ovation.
Marvin Miller was someone special and not only the baseball world but the entire world lost a true American Icon when Marvin Miller died.
May his memory be for a blessing.

Stuart Hodesh
Cincinnati, Ohio

An ex-player

November 28, 2012

Thank you for my dignity.

louise wisinski

November 28, 2012

Thank you for what you did for the players.

November 28, 2012

MAY GOD'S BLESSING AND PEACE BE WITH THE FAMILY,HE WILL SUPPORT THOSE THAT LEAN UPON HIM."HAPPY ARE THE MERICIFUL,SINCE THEY WILL BE SHOWN MERCY".matt.5:7....ms.mebane

November 28, 2012

I am sorry to hear of your loss. May you be comforted by our Heavenly Father's words at Job 33:25

November 28, 2012

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Doug McCartney

November 27, 2012

The single most important figure in modern day sports..who never played or managed the players. Read his book "A Whole Different Ballgame!" and you will get a sense of his appreciation of the human condition!

BaseballTopFan

November 27, 2012

BaseballTopFan and baseball fans worldwide would like to offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Marvin Miller.

He is a true baseball icon and legend.

The Major League Players Association changed baseball and sports forever.

Baseball players owe him an unpayable debt !!!

BaseballTopFan

Kimtraila Williams

November 27, 2012

To Marvin Miller Family,
I am sorry for this great loss,
You are not alone in this
My thoughts and prayers
Are with you always.
I have no words enough to
Comfort you. Just remember
That someone is there for you.
God Bless, and God Bless America.
Kimtraila Williams

November 27, 2012

I am sorry to hear about your loss. During this time, it's comforting to know that God is aware of your circumstances. As 1 John 4:8 state, He is a God of love and can provide uplifting encoragement for you. In addition, you have the loving support of family and friends.

Marvin Miller

November 27, 2012

November 27, 2012

A CLASS ACT RIP

John Doodigian

November 27, 2012

Mr. Miller was a brave labor leader who took an unpopular stance to help exploited workers. While many decry the high wages paid to athletes, they are only receiving their fair share of the wealth they are creating. In these times of economic hardship we should appreciate what Mr. Miller did to get his worker's fair compensation and use that as a model to see that we too are not exploited.

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Sign Marvin Miller's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

November 27, 2017

A Caring Neighbor posted to the memorial.

November 28, 2016

Harry Simpson posted to the memorial.

December 3, 2012

Gigi Van Deckter posted to the memorial.