Karnes Co. TX - OBITUARIES - August 2007 This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Kimm Antell Copyright. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************ All obituaries are copyright 2006 Victoria Advocate Online unless otherwise noted. (http://victoriaadvocate.com) From mysanantonio.com 08/14/2007 Baseball: John "Ox" Miller (1915-2007) David King San Antonio Express-News Funeral services are scheduled for Friday in George West for former big-league pitcher John "Ox" Miller, who died Monday. A visitation is scheduled for 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursday at the Galloway Funeral Home in George West, and a graveside service is set for 9 a.m. at the George West Cemetery. Miller, who was born in the South Texas crossroads of Gause on May 4, 1915, played professionally from 1937-53 and pitched in a total of 24 big-league games from 1943-47 for the Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns and Chicago Cubs. He also played for the Missions in 1947, going 11-8 with a 3.61 ERA. He earned his nickname after pitching back-to-back doubleheaders and winning all four games for Lincoln (Neb.) in the Western League in 1939. "One newspaper said that I was as strong as an ox, and the rival evening paper responded by saying I was as dumb as an ox for pitching and winning those four games," Miller once said. Miller returned to South Texas after his professional career, working 34 years for the U.S. Postal Service. He retired in 1980. He managed semi-pro teams in Victoria, Sinton and Laredo, and for decades, he coached Babe Ruth League players in the Flax League, based in Kenedy. At one time, 21 of his former players were at either the college or professional level. Former big-league pitcher Jim Acker, University of the Incarnate Word pitching coach John Maley and Rodney Pedraza, who set the Japanese baseball record for saves by a non-Japanese player, were some of his protégés. "He never had any kids of his own, but he used to say that every one he coached was like one of his own," said Pedraza, who lives in Cuero. Al LaMacchia, who roomed with Miller in St. Louis and in Toledo, Ohio, said Miller had a lively sense of humor. "He would sneak out of bed in the morning, go down to the lobby and then call and wake me up," LaMacchia said. "He'd say 'Get up, we've got to go fix the fences in north pasture!' And he'd keep calling until I got up." Miller is survived by Opal Miller, his wife of 67 years.