Roy McMillan: Former Mets Short Stop (1964-1966) Coach (1973-1976) & Manager (1975)
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The five foot eleven right-handed hitting short stop, was originally signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1947. After four years in the minors, he made his MLB debut with the Reds in 1951.
Playing Career: From 1952 thru the 1954 seasons, McMillan played every game, leading the league in games played twice.
Defensively Roy became one of the best shorts stops of his era, appearing in two All Star Games, winning three straight Gold Glove Awards including the first one given out to short stops in 1957.
In 1954 McMillan set a record at the time, turning 129 double plays at short stop. In his career Roy led the league in games played & fielding percentage six times each. He also led the NL in assists four times & put outs three times.
McMillan was so good defensively at his position he was considered in the MVP voting five times.
Playing Career: From 1952 thru the 1954 seasons, McMillan played every game, leading the league in games played twice.
Defensively Roy became one of the best shorts stops of his era, appearing in two All Star Games, winning three straight Gold Glove Awards including the first one given out to short stops in 1957.
McMillan was so good defensively at his position he was considered in the MVP voting five times.
A typical shortstop of his era, he had a great glove without much hitting. Although from 1955 through 1957 he posted on base percentages over .360 each year, while drawing 66 walks or more each year.
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Mets Career: In May 1964, Roy was traded to the New York Mets in exchange for Jay Hook & a player to be named later. That player turned out to be Wayne Garrett's brother, Adrian Garrett.
On May 9th, 1964, McMillan debuted as a Mets player at Shea Stadium, going hitless in a 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. In his next game, he doubled & tripled off former Met, Roger Craig, in a 4-1 Mets win.
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The Giants Orlando Cepeda hit a line drive to McMillan at short, he touched second base to double up Jesus Alou & then caught Willie Mays leaning off first base, throwing over as. It was scored 6-6-3.
On May 16th, in the first game of a double header sweep with his old Reds teammates, McMillan hit his only HR of the year, coming off Joe Nuxhall.
From August 16th through August 28th, Roy drove in eight runs, while hitting safely in 15 of 18 games.
In August of 1966, the 37-year-old McMillan finished his playing career. That season he played 76 games batting .214 with one HR nine doubles one triple & 12 RBIs.
In over 6191 attempts he made only 290 errors (74th all time) while posting a .972 fielding percentage (68th all time).
Roy was a lifetime .243 hitter with 1639 hits 253 doubles 35 triples 68 HRs 594 RBIs 739 runs scored 140 sac hits & 665 walks with a .314 on base % & .635 OPS.
For the 1976 season, he was replaced by Mets minor league manager Joe Frazier. McMillan stayed on board with the Mets coaching staff for another season.
Later in his career he became a scout for the Montreal Expos.
In 1957 he hit a career high 25 doubles posting a .317 on base percentage.
In 1961, after ten years in Cincinnati, he was traded to the Milwaukee Braves for Juan Pizzaro. In 1962 at Milwaukee, he hit a career high 12 HRs & continued playing some of the best short stop in the league.
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Mets Career: In May 1964, Roy was traded to the New York Mets in exchange for Jay Hook & a player to be named later. That player turned out to be Wayne Garrett's brother, Adrian Garrett. On May 9th, 1964, McMillan debuted as a Mets player at Shea Stadium, going hitless in a 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. In his next game, he doubled & tripled off former Met, Roger Craig, in a 4-1 Mets win.
Triple Play: On May 31st, 1964, Roy made an unusual triple play almost single handedly. It happened in one of the longest games ever played (time wise) a 23-inning epic which took seven hours & 23 minutes to play. The Meets took a 7-6 loss to the Giants in the second game of a double header at Shea Stadium.
The Giants Orlando Cepeda hit a line drive to McMillan at short, he touched second base to double up Jesus Alou & then caught Willie Mays leaning off first base, throwing over as. It was scored 6-6-3.On September 7th, in a double header sweep over Houston, McMillan hit his only HR of the season, a two-run shot off the Colt 45's Claude Raymond. In the bottom of the 8th, he drove in another run on a force play, as the Mets took the first game 7-5.
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Roy played in 113 games at short stop for the '64 Mets, turning 64 double plays posting a .976 fielding % (second best in the NL).
Offensively he hit .211 with 8 doubles, two triples, one HR 25 RBIs & a .246 on base %.
Offensively he hit .211 with 8 doubles, two triples, one HR 25 RBIs & a .246 on base %.
1965: In 1965 Roy was the Mets main short stop. On April 20th, Roy's sac bunt scored Johnny Lewis breaking a scoreless tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Mets went on to win the game 3-2. On May 4th, McMillan singled in the 7th inning, to score Ron Swoboda with the tying run of a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
On June 20th, he singled driving in the first two runs of a 3-2 Mets win in the second game of a double header at Dodger Stadium. Roy closed out June driving in runs in three of the last four games that month.
From August 16th through August 28th, Roy drove in eight runs, while hitting safely in 15 of 18 games.
For the 1965 season, he led the team in games played (157) at bats (528) & sacrifice hits (16) -third most sac hits in the NL. Overall, he hit .242 with one HR 19 doubles & 42 RBIs.
Defensively at short stop he was second in the NL in assists (477) third in put outs (248) & second in errors (27) while posting a .964 fielding % while turning 80 double plays.
1966: 
On May 29th, the Mets entered the top of the 9th inning down 6-4 to the Dodgers in L.A. Hawk Taylor's two run double tied the game at six & with two outs & two on, McMillan drove an RBI single off the Dodgers star reliever Ron Perranoski scoring Taylor in what was the games winning run.
On May 29th, the Mets entered the top of the 9th inning down 6-4 to the Dodgers in L.A. Hawk Taylor's two run double tied the game at six & with two outs & two on, McMillan drove an RBI single off the Dodgers star reliever Ron Perranoski scoring Taylor in what was the games winning run. On July 20th, in San Francisco, Roy hit the last of his 68 career HRs. It came in the top of the 8th inning off the Giant's Juan Marichal breaking a 1-1 tie. The Mets went on to win the game after Ron Swoboda's 10th inning HR.
In August of 1966, the 37-year-old McMillan finished his playing career. That season he played 76 games batting .214 with one HR nine doubles one triple & 12 RBIs.
Mentor to Bud Harrelson:
In his last two years McMillan served a huge role in developing the career of Bud Harrelson, serving as his mentor at shortstop. Harrelson learned a lot from McMillan on his way to becoming one of the best shortstops of his generation anchoring the 1969 Amazing Mets infield. Harrelson make two All Star teams, win a Gold Glove & play in two World Series.
In his last two years McMillan served a huge role in developing the career of Bud Harrelson, serving as his mentor at shortstop. Harrelson learned a lot from McMillan on his way to becoming one of the best shortstops of his generation anchoring the 1969 Amazing Mets infield. Harrelson make two All Star teams, win a Gold Glove & play in two World Series.Career Milestone: In a 16-year career he played 2028 games at short stop (18th all time) becoming just the fifth player to appear in as many games at the position.
Career Stats: At short Roy turned 1304 double plays (8th all time), he made 6191 assists (16th all time) with 3705 put outs (19th all time).
In over 6191 attempts he made only 290 errors (74th all time) while posting a .972 fielding percentage (68th all time). Roy was a lifetime .243 hitter with 1639 hits 253 doubles 35 triples 68 HRs 594 RBIs 739 runs scored 140 sac hits & 665 walks with a .314 on base % & .635 OPS.
Honors: In 1971 Roy McMillan was inducted to the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.
Coaching Career: After his playing days, McMillan became a coach & manager in the Mets organization. In 1968 & 1969 he managed the Visalia Mets.
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Coaching Career: After his playing days, McMillan became a coach & manager in the Mets organization. In 1968 & 1969 he managed the Visalia Mets.
In 1972 he went on to coach for the Milwaukee Brewers & filled in as manager for two games when former manager Dave Bristol was fired.
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In 1973 Roy came back to the Mets organization, joining Yogi Berra’s coaching staff for the Mets 1973 NL Pennant season. He stayed on board through 1975 & served as interim manager when Berra was fired in August of that season.
Mets Interim Manager: On August 6th, 1975, McMillan became the sixth manager in Mets history & the players seemed to respond to him quickly as the team enjoyed a six-game winning streak when he took over as manager.
Mets Coach:
In 1973 Roy came back to the Mets organization, joining Yogi Berra’s coaching staff for the Mets 1973 NL Pennant season. He stayed on board through 1975 & served as interim manager when Berra was fired in August of that season.Mets Interim Manager: On August 6th, 1975, McMillan became the sixth manager in Mets history & the players seemed to respond to him quickly as the team enjoyed a six-game winning streak when he took over as manager.
But an 11-16 September ruined any playoff hopes the team had. McMillan's Mets went 26-27 in the last 53 games of the season, finishing up in third place.
For the 1976 season, he was replaced by Mets minor league manager Joe Frazier. McMillan stayed on board with the Mets coaching staff for another season.
Later in his career he became a scout for the Montreal Expos.
Passing: In 1997, McMillan passed away from a heart attack at his home in Bonham, Texas, he was 68.