John Milner (The Hammer) 1973 N.L. Champion Mets First Baseman (1971-1977)
The all-around athletic Milner was an All-State halfback in football, a guard in basketball & of course a star baseball player.
The Hammer had a unique batting stance, standing on top of the plate with his legs close together & straight. He waved his bat very slowly & leaned into the plate aggressively. He was a pure fast ball / dead pull hitter with quick wrists. If the pitcher took too much time he’d step out.
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By 1971 he was playing at the AAA level with the Tidewater Tides. Milner hit 19 HRs with 27 doubles & 87 RBIs, while batting .290 in 133 games and he had to be brought up to the big-league squad.
Mets Career: At age 21, he got the September call up. Milner debuted on September 15th, 1971, at Shea Stadium in a double header loss to the Chicago Cubs. He came to bat as an 8th inning pinch hitter, facing Bill Hands grounding out, in the Mets 6-0 loss.
In the nightcap he made his first start, inserted in left field & batting third. He singled in the bottom of the 9th to get his first MLB hit but was stranded on base in the 3-2 loss. He played in nine games that month going 3-18 (.167) overall.
1972: Milner had a great Spring Training in 1972 and was voted- the Mets rookie of that spring. Before the untimely death of Gil Hodges, Milner was the talk of the camp.
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In April he made just one start, playing in six games overall finishing the month batting .444.
When the Mets acquired New York legend & future Hall of Famer, Willie Mays from the Giants, the Shea fans sometimes got frustrated if Milner was in the lineup instead of Willie. The ever-popular Mays was 40 years old when he returned to New York, certainly no longer an everyday player, but the fans loved him & wanted to see him on the field. Milner would sometimes be called in to pinch hit for Mays in later innings or used as a late inning defensive replacement.
Five RBI Game:
On May 17th, 1972, Milner had a big day, hitting his first career HR, a three-run shot off Montreal's Ernie McNally. He also hit a two run double that day driving in five runs in a 12-2 Mets win over the Expos at Shea Stadium.
In the month of June, Milner hit six HRs in the month but then slumped through July, driving in just one run & not hitting another HR until August 6th. At the end of the August, Milner hit three HRs in a four-game stretch, with HRs in back-to-back games in Atlanta & Cincinnati.
Two days later he hit another HR off the Cards Rick Wise, in a 3-2 Met win. He would hit one more HR before the season ended.
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He finished in third place for the 1972 Rookie of the Year Award, behind teammate Jon Matlack who won the Award. He was named to Baseball Digest's All-Star Rookie Team. With two of the top three rookies of the year, the Mets future was looking bright.
On Opening Day, he went hitless (0-3) in Tom Seaver's 3-0 shut out. He then hit HRs in his next two games in which the Mets won by one run.
On April 15th, his 1st inning two run HR off the Phillies, Jim Lonborg was the difference in a 2-1 Mets win at Veterans Stadium. Milner collected two of the Mets four hits that day.
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on May 15th he returned in a pinch-hitting role, but the hamstring hadn't fully healed & it affected his swing. He would strictly pinch hit for a week before joining the line up again as a regular.
He hit just .228 after his return, which was a big drop after his great start.
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Starting on June 17th, he went on a nine-game hit streak gathering 17 hits, with three HRs & 13 RBIs to close out the month of July.
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Overall that month, he hit six HRs driving in twenty runs with eight multi-hit games.
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On August 21st, with the score tied 1-1 in bottom of the 9th inning, Wayne Garrett was on second & Rusty Staub on first base.
In September the rest of the Mets team got healthy and made their incredible 20-8 stretch run.
The pitching was incredible on their way to the NL Eastern title. As the rest of the team got hot with timely hitting, Milner struggled. He only hit two HRs with two doubles & six RBIs in the month.
On September 12th he broke a 1-1 tie in Philadelphia, with a 6th inning HR & then later gave the Mets the winning run with an 8th inning sac fly in the 3-2 win.
Mets Clinch the NL East: In the final game, Milner hit a sac fly off Burt Hooton in the 5th inning bringing home Felix Millan with the Mets fifth run, giving Tom Seaver a 5-0 lead. They went on to a 6-4 win. In the bottom of the 9th, Milner snagged Glenn Beckert's soft line drive & made the unassisted double play at first to end the game.
Although Milner only batted .239 on the season, he led the '73 NL Champion Mets with 23 HRs, driving in 72 runs (second on the club to Rusty Staub). Milner hit 12 doubles, 3 triples, scored 69 runs, while drawing 62 walks posting a .329 on base % & .762 OPS.
He played in 129 games overall, 95 at first base posting a .989 fielding % making nine errors.
1973 Post Season- NLCS: In the NLCS opener against the Cincinnati Reds Milner went 1-3 with a walk. He singled in the 1st inning to load the bases, but no one scored when Cleon Jones grounded into an inning ended double play.
In the 5th inning he caught the throw from Bud Harrelson to complete a double play. But as John was running to the dugout, he noticed everyone running out of it. He turned to see Pete Rose & Harrelson fighting at second base with a big crowd around them. He did an about face & ran into the mêlée.
The Mets scored four runs in the inning, helping seal the pennant.
In Game #1 at Oakland, he drove in the Mets only run with a 4th inning base hit off Ken Holtzman, he also collected two of the seven Mets hits on the day. The Mets took a 2-1 loss in the opener.
In Game #2 he collected two more hits, both were singles. In the 6th inning he reached on an error, advanced & broke a 3-3 tie as he scored on Bud Harrelson's base hit to right field.
In the top of the 12th inning, Milner hit a ground ball to second baseman Rob Andrews, Andrews booted the ball allowing Tug McGraw & Willie Mays to both score, no RBIs were credited to Milner on the error.
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The controversy went public & went all the way to the Commissioner's office. Andrews was cleared to play, as his team rallied around him. This was the final straw for manager Dick Williams who would resign after the World Series.
In the 2nd inning of Game #5 he singled off Vida Blue, bringing home Cleon Jones to put the Mets up 1-0. The Mets went on to win the game 2-0 as Jerry Koosman & Tug McGraw combined for the shut out.
In Game #7 with the Mets down 5-1, he led off the 9th inning with a walk off Rollie Fingers. He would score when Gene Tenace booted Ed Kranepool's ground ball at first base.
After the Pennant: Milner returned to first base in 1974 playing a much better defense, posting a .994 fielding % (4th in the league).
On April 25th in a game at San Diego, Milner drove in a run with a 3rd inning sac fly. In the top of the 9th, with the score tied 2-2, he singled driving in two winning runs in the Mets, 5-3 win over the Padres.
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On May 25th he hit a 6th inning game winning HR off the Pirates ace Doc Ellis, leading to a 4-3 Mets win at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Milner hit two HRs in the first week of August but then did not hit another for another month. He hit just seven HRs in the second half of the season.
In a September 2nd double header at Wrigley Field, Milner hit a two run HR in the first game, leading the team to a 2-0 win over the Cubs in a Jon Matlack shut out. In the second game he had two more hits, driving in two runs as the Mets went on for the twin bill sweep.
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Milner finished the 1974 season leading the team in HRs for the third straight year with 20. He also led the club in runs scored (70) and stolen bases (10). He had a career best 128 hits, with 19 doubles, 63 RBIs, 66 walks a .337 on base %, while batting .252.
1975: Milner battled thru injuries in Spring Training of 1975, which led to a rough start.
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On May 11th he hit a HR off the Reds Jack Billingham & drove in two runs in a 3-2 win over Cincinnati. That month he drove in eight runs in 18 games. In June he missed two weeks of action & slumped, as he hit just one HR with just two RBIs in the month, as his average fall to .209.
Drama: That season the Mets parted ways with long time out fielder Cleon Jones. Jones had some personal troubles & was also at the end of his playing career. It was said he was also a bad influence on Milner.
In a four-game stretch ending the month of June going into July, he drove in 12 runs.
Although he had cooled off considerably in batting average, the grand slam was his tenth HR of the year. He also was in the middle of a 13-game hit streak that lasted through July 7th.
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Although he did not get along well with his new Mets manager Joe Frazier, he finished the 1976 having a fine season; batting .271 with 15 HRs (second on the club to Dave Kingman's 37) reaching career highs in RBIs (78) which were also second to Kingman. Milner also led the club with 65 walks & a .362 on base percentage.
He tied for the team lead with a career high 25 doubles & four triples while playing in 127 games. While playing left field (112 games) he posted a .985 fielding percentage, third best among N.L. left fielders.
1977- Final Mets Season: On Opening Day 1977 Milner drove in the Mets first run of the year with a double off future Met Ray Burris in a 5-3 win at Wrigley Field. It would be the last Opening Day Tom Seaver would pitch until his return in 1983.
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On June 14th, the day before Tom Seaver was traded, Milner drove in three runs in Atlanta although the Mets lost the game 8-5. The next night, the day of the Seaver trade (the Midnight Massacre) Milner drove in three more runs, including a two-run triple in the 5th inning, on the way to a 6-5 Mets win.
The last place Mets came home to Shea the next night to play Houston in front of just 8,500 fans. Milner hit a HR in the 4-3 win, he would hit another HR two nights later.
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1977 would be his sixth and final season in New York, Milner batted .255, hitting 12 HRs 20 doubles 60 walks drove in 57 runs & posted a .353 on base %.
Ten Player Trade: Milner was another Met from the 1973 Pennant season that was traded away during the club's dark age of 1977. On December 8th he was part of a big ten player, four team trade involving the Mets, Pirates, Braves and Rangers.
All Time Mets Leader Board: John Milner played in 741 career Mets games (25th most all time)
He hit 94 Mets career HRs (19th on the Mets All Time list) & walked 338 times (17th on the Mets All-time list) with 338 RBIs (25th Mets all time).
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In April he drove in twelve runs playing in just 14 games, including a two HR game on April 13th.
That week he drove in runs in five straight games. In 128 games on the season, he had 16 HRs with 9 doubles, 4 triples 60 RBIs and a career high .276 batting average.
In 1980 his average dropped to .244 as he still hit 8 HRs with 34 RBIs in 114 games played. signed another deal with the Pirates that off season, but during the 1981 strike shortened season, he was hitting just .237 in August & was traded to the Montreal Expos for Willie Montanez.
Grand Slam: On August 15th, 1982, he hit another career pinch hit grand slam, this one off the Cardinals Steve Mura. It was the tenth & last grand slam of his career.
Milner admitted to using cocaine from 1978 - 1982 & stated that he had purchased cocaine twice in a Three Rivers Stadium bathroom stall during the 1980 season.
Passing: In 2000, John Milner passed away after a long battle with cancer near his home in Atlanta, Georgia. He was only 50 years old.
In 1966 The Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta & Milner's baseball idol Hank Aaron was now playing in his hometown. Eventually Milner was nicknamed "The Hammer" or "baby Hammer" after his idol Henry Aaron.
The six-foot left hand hitting outfielder / first baseman, was drafted by the New York Mets in the 14th round of the 1968 draft.
Milner showed power & soon became a highly touted power hitting prospect in the Mets organization.
Milner showed power & soon became a highly touted power hitting prospect in the Mets organization.
The Hammer had a unique batting stance, standing on top of the plate with his legs close together & straight. He waved his bat very slowly & leaned into the plate aggressively. He was a pure fast ball / dead pull hitter with quick wrists. If the pitcher took too much time he’d step out. He managed to squeeze a small strike zone for himself & umpires alike. He had a good eye, was a disciplined hitter who would draw a lot of walks & put up good on base percentages.
In 1969 he hit .326 with 15 HRs at A Ball Visalia, which was a home run hitters paradise. He was promoted to Pompano Beach, where hit three more HRs playing in 17 games. In 1970 he hit 20 HRs leading the AA Memphis club, while batting .297 & driving in 71 runs.
In 1969 he hit .326 with 15 HRs at A Ball Visalia, which was a home run hitters paradise. He was promoted to Pompano Beach, where hit three more HRs playing in 17 games. In 1970 he hit 20 HRs leading the AA Memphis club, while batting .297 & driving in 71 runs.
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By 1971 he was playing at the AAA level with the Tidewater Tides. Milner hit 19 HRs with 27 doubles & 87 RBIs, while batting .290 in 133 games and he had to be brought up to the big-league squad. Mets Career: At age 21, he got the September call up. Milner debuted on September 15th, 1971, at Shea Stadium in a double header loss to the Chicago Cubs. He came to bat as an 8th inning pinch hitter, facing Bill Hands grounding out, in the Mets 6-0 loss.
In the nightcap he made his first start, inserted in left field & batting third. He singled in the bottom of the 9th to get his first MLB hit but was stranded on base in the 3-2 loss. He played in nine games that month going 3-18 (.167) overall.
1972: Milner had a great Spring Training in 1972 and was voted- the Mets rookie of that spring. Before the untimely death of Gil Hodges, Milner was the talk of the camp.
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In April he made just one start, playing in six games overall finishing the month batting .444.When the Mets acquired New York legend & future Hall of Famer, Willie Mays from the Giants, the Shea fans sometimes got frustrated if Milner was in the lineup instead of Willie. The ever-popular Mays was 40 years old when he returned to New York, certainly no longer an everyday player, but the fans loved him & wanted to see him on the field. Milner would sometimes be called in to pinch hit for Mays in later innings or used as a late inning defensive replacement.
Milner wasn't the most popular guy with the press either, he never warmed up or co-operated with them. Overall, he was known to have an angry disposition.
Eventually, with a somewhat crowded Mets outfield, Milner would move over to play more at first base in the years to come.
Eventually, with a somewhat crowded Mets outfield, Milner would move over to play more at first base in the years to come.
On May 16th he doubled off the Expos Steve Renko in the 7th inning driving in his first career run.
Five RBI Game:
On May 17th, 1972, Milner had a big day, hitting his first career HR, a three-run shot off Montreal's Ernie McNally. He also hit a two run double that day driving in five runs in a 12-2 Mets win over the Expos at Shea Stadium. On May 28th, he hit a three run HR driving in all three runs in an 8-3 loss to the Cardinals in St. Louis.
In the first week of June, Milner hit HRs in back-to-back games. Then on June 6th, he homered in a 3-2 Mets win over the Reds. On June 28th he singled home a run in the top of the 8th inning at Houston, in what turned out to be the game winning run in the 5-3 Mets win.
In the first week of June, Milner hit HRs in back-to-back games. Then on June 6th, he homered in a 3-2 Mets win over the Reds. On June 28th he singled home a run in the top of the 8th inning at Houston, in what turned out to be the game winning run in the 5-3 Mets win.
For the month of June, he batted .338 with 6 HRs three doubles & nine RBIs.
In the month of June, Milner hit six HRs in the month but then slumped through July, driving in just one run & not hitting another HR until August 6th. At the end of the August, Milner hit three HRs in a four-game stretch, with HRs in back-to-back games in Atlanta & Cincinnati. In a September 8th double header split with the St. Louis Cardinals at Shea Stadium, he collected seven hits with a five-hit game in the first of the twin bill.
Milner hit HRs in both ends of the double header & drove in three runs. That week he became the first Mets rookie in team history to have a five-game hit streak.
Two days later he hit another HR off the Cards Rick Wise, in a 3-2 Met win. He would hit one more HR before the season ended.
Milner was the Mets main left fielder for 1972, playing in 117 games overall. He led the club with 17 HRs. He would go on to lead the team in that category for the next two seasons & again in 1977.
Milner had 12 doubles with 38 RBIs, 52 runs scored, batting .238 in 362 at bats. He drew 51 walks posting a .340 on base % with a .762 OPS.
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He finished in third place for the 1972 Rookie of the Year Award, behind teammate Jon Matlack who won the Award. He was named to Baseball Digest's All-Star Rookie Team. With two of the top three rookies of the year, the Mets future was looking bright.
1973 Mets Pennant Season: Milner would have his best season in 1973 as he helped lead the Mets to the World Series as their main slugger.
He was the team's main first baseman (95 games) at the start of the ‘73 season splitting time there with Ed Kranepool. He shifted to left field (29 games) while covering for an injured Cleon Jones.
On Opening Day, he went hitless (0-3) in Tom Seaver's 3-0 shut out. He then hit HRs in his next two games in which the Mets won by one run.
First on April 7th, Milner hit a HR off the Phillies Jim Lonborg tying up the game, in which the Mets went on to win 3-2. The next day he homered off the Cardinals Reggie Cleveland in a 5-4 win in St. Louis. On April 12, his 1st inning RBI single helped lead the Mets in a 2-1 win at St. Louis as he drove in a run in his third straight game.
On April 15th, his 1st inning two run HR off the Phillies, Jim Lonborg was the difference in a 2-1 Mets win at Veterans Stadium. Milner collected two of the Mets four hits that day. In his first seven games, Milner had three HRs with five RBIs, batting .318.
At the end of April, he hit safely in 13 of 16 games & was batting .327 with 5 HRs & 15 RBIs.
On April 25th he pulled a hamstring stretching for a low throw at first base in a 5-2 win at the Houston Astrodome. He landed on the disabled list, eventually missing almost three weeks of play.
On April 25th he pulled a hamstring stretching for a low throw at first base in a 5-2 win at the Houston Astrodome. He landed on the disabled list, eventually missing almost three weeks of play.
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on May 15th he returned in a pinch-hitting role, but the hamstring hadn't fully healed & it affected his swing. He would strictly pinch hit for a week before joining the line up again as a regular. He hit just .228 after his return, which was a big drop after his great start.
On June13th, he helped Tom Seaver to a 3-2 win over San Francisco Giants ace Tom Bradley. Milner hit a 1st inning RBI double & an 8th inning sac fly. He would drive in runs in five straight games.
Three days later on June 17th, the Hammer nailed a three run HR off the Padres Mike Cauldwell, in a 10-2 Mets win at Shea Stadium. Later that week he added a two run HR in Pittsburgh, off the Pirates Steve Blass, in 5-4 Met win.
At the end of June, the Mets went on the road, Milner hit two HRs at a three-game series in Wrigley Field. On July 3rd, he hit another three run HR in a 3-1 Mets win over the Expos.
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Starting on June 17th, he went on a nine-game hit streak gathering 17 hits, with three HRs & 13 RBIs to close out the month of July. On July 17th, the Mets were down 7-1 to the Atlanta Braves in the top of the 9th inning. Milner hit a two run HR off Carl Morton, helping New York in a seven-run 9th inning comeback win.
The next day the Hammer came back to have a three hit, multi-RBI helping Tom Seaver in a win over the Braves. Milner hit his 14th HR in the game as well.
In Seavers next win, Milner hit his 15th HR in the 2-1 Mets win over the Cardinals.
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Grand Slam HR: On July 28th Milner hit his first career grand slam off Montreal's Mike Torrez in an 11-3 win over the Expos at Shea.
In August he began the month hitting a pair of HRs in the second game of a double header sweep over the Pittsburgh Pirates, leading the Mets to a 5-2 win.
On August 8th he drew a 2nd inning walk, then advanced on a wild pitch. He eventually scored the only run of the game, crossing the plate on a Jerry Grote single, as Jon Matlack beat Los Angeles' Andy Messersmith 1-0 at Dodger Stadium.
Walk Off Hits: Later in the month Milner had back-to-back games where he had walk off RBI base hits, driving in the winning runs in two games against the Dodgers at Shea Stadium.
Walk Off Hits: Later in the month Milner had back-to-back games where he had walk off RBI base hits, driving in the winning runs in two games against the Dodgers at Shea Stadium.
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Facing the Dodgers Don Sutton, Milner singled up the middle-scoring Garrett with the game winning run.
The next night the Mets entered the 9th inning down 3-2. Felix Millan tied up the game with an RBI single. Rusty Staub then singled moving Millan over to second.
The next night the Mets entered the 9th inning down 3-2. Felix Millan tied up the game with an RBI single. Rusty Staub then singled moving Millan over to second.
The Dodgers made a pitching change, bringing in new pitcher Pete Richert, Milner then singled to center scoring Millan with the game winning run. It was his second walk off in back-to-back games.
That night an 0-6 Tug McGraw got his first win of the year & would begin to turn his season around, as he would go 5-0 with 12 saves the rest of the way. Overall, in August, Milner hit five HRs & drove in 18 runs.
The pitching was incredible on their way to the NL Eastern title. As the rest of the team got hot with timely hitting, Milner struggled. He only hit two HRs with two doubles & six RBIs in the month.
On September 12th he broke a 1-1 tie in Philadelphia, with a 6th inning HR & then later gave the Mets the winning run with an 8th inning sac fly in the 3-2 win.
In the final two games at Wrigley Field where the Mets clinched the NL East on the last day of the season, he had two hits, three walks, scored three runs and drove in two other runs.
Mets Clinch the NL East: In the final game, Milner hit a sac fly off Burt Hooton in the 5th inning bringing home Felix Millan with the Mets fifth run, giving Tom Seaver a 5-0 lead. They went on to a 6-4 win. In the bottom of the 9th, Milner snagged Glenn Beckert's soft line drive & made the unassisted double play at first to end the game.Although Milner only batted .239 on the season, he led the '73 NL Champion Mets with 23 HRs, driving in 72 runs (second on the club to Rusty Staub). Milner hit 12 doubles, 3 triples, scored 69 runs, while drawing 62 walks posting a .329 on base % & .762 OPS.
He played in 129 games overall, 95 at first base posting a .989 fielding % making nine errors.
He also played 29 games in left field, making four assists with two errors. After battling injuries all season, he was finally healthy for the playoffs.
1973 Post Season- NLCS: In the NLCS opener against the Cincinnati Reds Milner went 1-3 with a walk. He singled in the 1st inning to load the bases, but no one scored when Cleon Jones grounded into an inning ended double play. In Game #2 he went hitless, in Jon Matlack's two hit shutout Mets win.
Bud Harrelson / Pete Rose Brawl: In Game #3 at Shea Stadium, Milner drove in the last run of the Mets 9-2 win with a 4th inning single off Dave Tomlin.
In the 5th inning he caught the throw from Bud Harrelson to complete a double play. But as John was running to the dugout, he noticed everyone running out of it. He turned to see Pete Rose & Harrelson fighting at second base with a big crowd around them. He did an about face & ran into the mêlée.In Game #4 he went 0-4 with a walk in the 2-1 Mets loss. In the Game #5 clincher, he had one hit & drew two walks.
In the 5th inning, he walked loading up the bases, then scored the Mets 5th run of the game, as he crossed the plate when Don Hahn grounder led to a force out play at second base.
In the 9th inning, he fielded a roller by the Reds Dan Driessen, flipped it to Tug McGraw for the final out of the series. Milner & his teammates ran for their lives into the clubhouse as the Shea fans stormed the field.
Overall, in the five game NLCS, Milner hit .250 (3-17) with two runs scored five walks (.364 on bae%) & an RBI.
In Game #1 at Oakland, he drove in the Mets only run with a 4th inning base hit off Ken Holtzman, he also collected two of the seven Mets hits on the day. The Mets took a 2-1 loss in the opener.
In Game #2 he collected two more hits, both were singles. In the 6th inning he reached on an error, advanced & broke a 3-3 tie as he scored on Bud Harrelson's base hit to right field.
Trivia: Andrews then made a bad throw on the next play, a Jim Beauchamp grounder & it pulled Gene Tenace off the base. He was safe & Cleon Jones scored.
These two errors led to A's owner Charlie Finley forcing Andrews to sign a waiver claiming he was injured & therefore not be able to play the rest of the series.
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The controversy went public & went all the way to the Commissioner's office. Andrews was cleared to play, as his team rallied around him. This was the final straw for manager Dick Williams who would resign after the World Series.In a classic Game #3 at Shea Stadium, two of the game's best pitchers Tom Seaver & Catfish Hunter went at it. The Mets lost the game 3-2 in extra innings. Milner reached base four more times, hitting a single, drawing two walks & getting aboard on third baseman Sal Bando's error.
In the 1st inning, Milner just missed hitting a mammoth HR off A's pitcher; Jim Catfish Hunter, as the ball sailed foul down the left field line.
In the Mets 6-1 Game #4 win, Milner was 0-3 with a walk.
The Mets went back to Oakland needing just one more win for the Championship, but it was not to be.
In the final two games he went 1-7 with a walk.
In Game #7 with the Mets down 5-1, he led off the 9th inning with a walk off Rollie Fingers. He would score when Gene Tenace booted Ed Kranepool's ground ball at first base.Although Milner didn't pick up an extra-base hit in the post season, he had eleven singles and drew ten walks, good for a .406 on base percentage.
Overall, In the World Series he hit .296. He was one of three Mets to collect eight hits (second in the series to Rusty Staub). He went 8-27 with two RBIs & two runs scored.
Overall, In the World Series he hit .296. He was one of three Mets to collect eight hits (second in the series to Rusty Staub). He went 8-27 with two RBIs & two runs scored.
After the Pennant: Milner returned to first base in 1974 playing a much better defense, posting a .994 fielding % (4th in the league). At the plate he had another hot start, driving in 15 runs in April.
On April 25th in a game at San Diego, Milner drove in a run with a 3rd inning sac fly. In the top of the 9th, with the score tied 2-2, he singled driving in two winning runs in the Mets, 5-3 win over the Padres.
On April 28th Milner broke a 6-6 tie in Los Angles when he drove home Teddy Martinez & Cleon Jones with a double off one of the league's best relievers: Mike Marshall.
On an early May home stand Milner homered in three straight games against the San Diego Padres.
On an early May home stand Milner homered in three straight games against the San Diego Padres.
Walk Off HR: On May 5th he homered in both ends of a double header with the Padres at Shea Stadium. After dropping the first game, the Mets went to the bottom of the 9th of the night cap tied 4-4. Milner blasted a HR to right field off Larry Hardy for the walk off win.
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On May 25th he hit a 6th inning game winning HR off the Pirates ace Doc Ellis, leading to a 4-3 Mets win at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. In May he had hit six HRs, by far his best power month. He continued into June hitting safely in 20 of 22 games. On June 6th in a rematch of the previous years' NLCS, Milner hit an 8th inning game winning HR off Cincinnati's Pedro Borbon, for a 4-3 Met win.
On June 21st, Milner hit two HRs off the Phillies future Hall of Famer, Steve Carlton, leading Tom Seaver to a 3-2 win at Veterans Stadium.
Milner already had 14 HRs & 40 RBIs by the All-Star break & was considered one of the league's big sluggers.
On July 29th he hit his second HR of the week, this one was another game winner. It came in the home 8th inning off Montreal's Steve Rogers in a 4-3 win over the Expos.
HR Off Shea Scoreboard: On August 19th Milner hit one of the longest HRs at Shea Stadium, when his blast off the Dodgers Andy Messersmith broke some lights halfway up the Shea scoreboard, in a 3-1 Mets win.
In a September 2nd double header at Wrigley Field, Milner hit a two run HR in the first game, leading the team to a 2-0 win over the Cubs in a Jon Matlack shut out. In the second game he had two more hits, driving in two runs as the Mets went on for the twin bill sweep.
Record For Plate Appearances: On September 11th, he played every inning of the 25-inning marathon against the St. Louis Cardinals. The game lasted more than seven hours and Milner tied a record for most plate appearances in a single game with 12.
The Mets were not able to repeat in the East in 1974, as they finished a disappointing fifth place (71-91) that year.
The Mets were not able to repeat in the East in 1974, as they finished a disappointing fifth place (71-91) that year.
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Milner finished the 1974 season leading the team in HRs for the third straight year with 20. He also led the club in runs scored (70) and stolen bases (10). He had a career best 128 hits, with 19 doubles, 63 RBIs, 66 walks a .337 on base %, while batting .252.
1975: Milner battled thru injuries in Spring Training of 1975, which led to a rough start.
On April 29th he hit a three run HR off the Cubs Burt Hooton at Wrigley Field, driving in four runs on the day as Tom Seaver beat the Cubs 9-1. But overall Milner finished April batting just .167.
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On May 11th he hit a HR off the Reds Jack Billingham & drove in two runs in a 3-2 win over Cincinnati. That month he drove in eight runs in 18 games. In June he missed two weeks of action & slumped, as he hit just one HR with just two RBIs in the month, as his average fall to .209.The injuries plagued him all season, as he would miss time in every month of the season from June on. He only appeared in only 91 games overall. In the final two months of the year, he only drove in four runs while hitting one HR.
On the year he batted .191, with 7 HRs 11 doubles 29 RBIs & .302 on base %.
That year Ed Kranepool took over the regular first base duties for the third place 82-80 Mets & hit his career best .323.
Milner disagreed saying Jones had helped him in his career. He also stated that he believes it's usually black players that are labeled as being a bad influence on another player.
1976 Bicentennial Season: At the start of the 1976 season, Milner tore up the league batting .500 through his first fourteen games of the season leading into May. He drove in 12 runs in his first thirteen games, while hitting three HRs & batting .488 through April.
On April 27th, with the Mets down 5-3 in the bottom of the 9th inning to the Atlanta Braves, Milner singled to drive in John Stearns with the tying run. He then came across to score the game winning run-on Bruce Boisclair's double.
He then got injured again & missed two weeks of action. When he returned, he continued a hit streak that lasted sixteen games. He cooled off in May but still finished the month batting .327 with back-to-back HR games on a home stand against the St. Louis Cardinals. That week he drove in five runs in a three-game stretch.
On April 27th, with the Mets down 5-3 in the bottom of the 9th inning to the Atlanta Braves, Milner singled to drive in John Stearns with the tying run. He then came across to score the game winning run-on Bruce Boisclair's double.
He then got injured again & missed two weeks of action. When he returned, he continued a hit streak that lasted sixteen games. He cooled off in May but still finished the month batting .327 with back-to-back HR games on a home stand against the St. Louis Cardinals. That week he drove in five runs in a three-game stretch.
Grand Slam HRs: On June 26th Milner hit his second career grand slam, it came at Wrigley
Field off the Cubs Bill Bonham in a 10-2 Mets win. Five days later on July 1st, he hit another grand slam, this time off the St. Louis Cardinals Mike Wallace at Shea Stadium, in a big 13-0 Jon Matlack shut out.
Field off the Cubs Bill Bonham in a 10-2 Mets win. Five days later on July 1st, he hit another grand slam, this time off the St. Louis Cardinals Mike Wallace at Shea Stadium, in a big 13-0 Jon Matlack shut out.
Although he had cooled off considerably in batting average, the grand slam was his tenth HR of the year. He also was in the middle of a 13-game hit streak that lasted through July 7th.
Milner would have two more multi-RBI games that month, on July 7th he drove in three runs in a 12-4 win in Houston. On July 24th in Montreal, he had a two run double & was credited with an RBI when two runs scored on an Expo error in a 10-4 Met win.
On August 7th, he hit a two run HR off the Pirates' Kent Tekulve, while driving in three of the four Mets runs in a 4-1 win at Three Rivers Stadium. On September 1st, he drove in the only run of the game in a pitcher's duel between Jerry Koosman & San Francisco's John Montefusco. His 8th inning double scored Felix Millan with the only run of the game.
That week he drove in runs in five of six games & had three straight multi-hit games.
On August 7th, he hit a two run HR off the Pirates' Kent Tekulve, while driving in three of the four Mets runs in a 4-1 win at Three Rivers Stadium. On September 1st, he drove in the only run of the game in a pitcher's duel between Jerry Koosman & San Francisco's John Montefusco. His 8th inning double scored Felix Millan with the only run of the game.
Third Grand Slam of Season: On September 27th, in front of a measly crowd just under 3,000, Milner hit two HRs & drove in six runs, while hitting his third grand slam of the season.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, he took the Expos Larry Landreth deep over the right field wall for a two-run shot. Later in the 6th inning, with the bases loaded he hit the grand slam off Montreal's Chip Lang in a 10-3 Mets win.
it was one of two HRs he hit on the day in a 10-3 Mets win. That day he drove in a career best six RBIs in a match up against the Montreal Expos at Shea Stadium.
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Although he did not get along well with his new Mets manager Joe Frazier, he finished the 1976 having a fine season; batting .271 with 15 HRs (second on the club to Dave Kingman's 37) reaching career highs in RBIs (78) which were also second to Kingman. Milner also led the club with 65 walks & a .362 on base percentage. He tied for the team lead with a career high 25 doubles & four triples while playing in 127 games. While playing left field (112 games) he posted a .985 fielding percentage, third best among N.L. left fielders.
1977- Final Mets Season: On Opening Day 1977 Milner drove in the Mets first run of the year with a double off future Met Ray Burris in a 5-3 win at Wrigley Field. It would be the last Opening Day Tom Seaver would pitch until his return in 1983.
Milner hit a HR on May 12th in a 4-0 win over the Cardinals at Shea Stadium. He hit three HRs in May & hit well enough to bat .292 going into June.
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On June 14th, the day before Tom Seaver was traded, Milner drove in three runs in Atlanta although the Mets lost the game 8-5. The next night, the day of the Seaver trade (the Midnight Massacre) Milner drove in three more runs, including a two-run triple in the 5th inning, on the way to a 6-5 Mets win. The last place Mets came home to Shea the next night to play Houston in front of just 8,500 fans. Milner hit a HR in the 4-3 win, he would hit another HR two nights later.
On August 15th he had a two hit four RBI night i St. Louis in a 7-4 Mets win over the Cardinals. On August 27th he hit two HRs in Atlanta, as he drove in three of the four Mets runs in a 5-4 loss.
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At first base his defense was good enough to give him the league's second-best fielding percentage at .995%. He only made four errors there playing in 87 games, and only made one error in 22 games in the outfield.
Ten Player Trade: Milner was another Met from the 1973 Pennant season that was traded away during the club's dark age of 1977. On December 8th he was part of a big ten player, four team trade involving the Mets, Pirates, Braves and Rangers.
After three months of negotiations the Mets sent Milner to the Pittsburgh Pirates & Jon Matlack to the Texas Rangers. The Atlanta Braves sent Willie Montañez to the Mets, and Texas sent Tom Grieve & Ken Henderson to New York as well. Bert Blyleven went from Texas to Pittsburgh & Al Oliver went from Pittsburgh to Texas. It seems like everyone did
well in this trade except the
Mets.
He hit 94 Mets career HRs (19th on the Mets All Time list) & walked 338 times (17th on the Mets All-time list) with 338 RBIs (25th Mets all time).
He collected 586 hits with 100 doubles, 12 triples, 315 runs scored, a .339 on base % & a .754 OPS.
Milner played in 336 games at first base (9th on the Mets all-time list) & 283 games in left field
(7th all time).
(7th all time).
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Post Mets Career: In Pittsburgh Milner played for the Pirates’ "We Are Family" Championship team. They won the 1979 World Series, beating the Baltimore Orioles.
Milner played outfield, first base & became a successful pinch hitter that year.
In April he drove in twelve runs playing in just 14 games, including a two HR game on April 13th.
Grand Slam: On May 9th he hit a grand slam HR against the Braves Gene Garber in Atlanta in a 17-9 Pirates win.
In July he hit five HRs from July 19th through July 27th. In that stretch he had two four RBI days where he hit three run Hrs.
In July he hit five HRs from July 19th through July 27th. In that stretch he had two four RBI days where he hit three run Hrs.
Pinch Hit Grand Slam: On August 5th he hit a pinch-hit grand slam HR off former teammate Tug McGraw, during the heat of the pennant race, helping the Pirates stay in first place while beating the Philadelphia Phillies. It was the ninth grand slam of his career.
That week he drove in runs in five straight games. In 128 games on the season, he had 16 HRs with 9 doubles, 4 triples 60 RBIs and a career high .276 batting average.1979 Post Season- NLCS: He struggled in the NLCS going 0-9 appearing in three games.
1979 World Series: In the World Series he batted .333 going 3-9 with an RBI. He was mostly used as a pinch hitter. He also drew four walks during the post season.
Expos Career: Milner helped the Expos hitting three HRs, during their pennant drive as they won the only division title in their history. That season the season was split up into the half before & after the strike with the division winners from each half facing off in an NLDS.
1981 Post Season: He got one hit in two pinch hit at bats in the NLDS win vs. the Philadelphia Phillies driving in a run. He was 0-1 as a pinch hitter in the NLCS loss to the eventual World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
In 1982 Milner was batting just .107 at the end of July when he was released. He was picked back up by the Pittsburgh Pirates where he finished his career.
1981 Post Season: He got one hit in two pinch hit at bats in the NLDS win vs. the Philadelphia Phillies driving in a run. He was 0-1 as a pinch hitter in the NLCS loss to the eventual World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
In 1982 Milner was batting just .107 at the end of July when he was released. He was picked back up by the Pittsburgh Pirates where he finished his career.
Career Stats: He ended his 12-season career with ten
career grand slams (tied for 13th on the all-time list with many players). Milner batted .249 with 138 HRs 140 doubles, 504 walks, 455 runs scored 16 triples 498 RBIs a .344 on base % & in 1215 games played.
Family: His younger cousin Eddie Milner played in the major leagues for nine seasons (1980-1988) spending eight years with the Cincinnati Reds & one with the San Francisco Giants. Eddie batted .253 with 42 HRs 195 RBIs in 804 career games. He passed away in 2015 at age 60.
Retirement- Pittsburgh Drug Trials: After his playing career, Milner was called to testify at the Pittsburgh drug trials of 1985. It was there he ruined his legacy when he first claimed he had received amphetamines from Hall of Famer & New York legend, Willie Mays while with the Mets in 1973.
Family: His younger cousin Eddie Milner played in the major leagues for nine seasons (1980-1988) spending eight years with the Cincinnati Reds & one with the San Francisco Giants. Eddie batted .253 with 42 HRs 195 RBIs in 804 career games. He passed away in 2015 at age 60.
Retirement- Pittsburgh Drug Trials: After his playing career, Milner was called to testify at the Pittsburgh drug trials of 1985. It was there he ruined his legacy when he first claimed he had received amphetamines from Hall of Famer & New York legend, Willie Mays while with the Mets in 1973.
He then ruined himself further when he also claimed he received amphetamines from Hall of Famer Willie Stargell, while with the Pirates. Both Mays & Stargell denied the accusations.
Milner admitted to using cocaine from 1978 - 1982 & stated that he had purchased cocaine twice in a Three Rivers Stadium bathroom stall during the 1980 season.
Passing: In 2000, John Milner passed away after a long battle with cancer near his home in Atlanta, Georgia. He was only 50 years old.
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