Baseball player Jack Miller, Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman, holding a baseball bat at West Side Grounds in game against Chicago Cubs 1909 Photo SUMMARYInformal full-length portrait of baseball player Dots Miller of the National League's Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team, holding a baseball bat, standing in a batting stance at home plate on the field at West Side Grounds, located between West Polk Street, South Wolcott Avenue (formerly Lincoln Street), West Taylor Street, and South Wood Street in the Near West Side community area of Chicago, Illinois. Baseball players are standing and crouching in the background. A man wearing street clothes is standing in front of the baseball players in the background. NOTES This photonegative taken by a Chicago Daily News photographer may have been published in the newspaper. SDN-055772, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society. A slashing, line drive hitter, Dots Miller parlayed his speed on the base paths and fine defensive play at second base to play in the majors for almost 12 seasons during the dead ball era. He debuted with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1909 and hit .279, with 31 doubles, 13 triples, 3 Hr, 87 RBIs which helped the Pirates win the pennant. In World Series, batting second in the batting order rookie Dots Miller was 8-for-24, a .333 average, walked 4 times, scored 4 runs and had 4 RBIs and, he stole 3 bases to help the Pirates beat Detroit in the World Series, 4 games-to-3. And, rookie John Miller at second and legendary shortstop Honus Wagner formed one of the top double play combinations in this era. In 1912, Miller lined 33 doubles, 12 triples, 4 Hr and again drove in 87 runs. He was traded to the Cardinals in 1914 and played there until 1919. Dots Miller stole 177 bases and was caught just 30 times. Baseball History |