Roger Miller, arguably the best pitcher in the history of Tuckahoe Little League, died on February 10 in Auburn, Maine. He was 54 years old and resided in Fryeburg, Maine.
In 1968, Miller led the Tuckahoe National Little League All Star Team to the championship game of the Little League World Series, losing 1-0 to Wakayama, Japan despite striking out 9 and only allowing three hits. The lone run scored in the game was unearned. This remains the only time that a team from Virginia has advanced to the championship game of the Little League World Series.
His performance in the post-season that summer is legendary and remains one of the best of all time. Of his seven pitching wins in the Little League tournament, five were no-hitters and six were shutouts. In eight games on the hill, he stuck out 98 opponents, averaging over 12 strike outs a game. In the District 5 championship game, he pitched a perfect game, striking out 10.
In the semi-final win of the Little League World Series which gave the Tuckahoe team the North American title, Miller hit three home runs, with 7 RBIs, and scored four times. He was the first player in Little League World Series history to hit three home runs in one game and remains one of only three players to accomplish this feat which still stands as a World Series record. Miller had recently returned to Richmond when the team held its 40 year reunion on August 1 & 2, 2008. It was his first trip back to Richmond since he led Tuckahoe on its historic run to Williamsport. The Virginia Hall of Fame presented the team with an Achievement in Sports Citation with Miller accepting on behalf of the team in a ceremony held at The Diamond prior to a Richmond Braves game on August 1.
The family has asked that those wishing to make a memorial contribution should send it to Tuckahoe Little League, P.O. Box 29783, Henrico, VA 23242.
