The MLB universe found out about the retirement of one of the best relievers of the 2010s decade on Thursday afternoon.
Left-hander Andrew Miller, known for his incredible stretch as a reliever between 2012 and 2017, is calling it quits after playing 16 seasons at the highest level.
Miller is actually one of the most important players in the MLBPA’s executive board, working night and day with the union to secure the best possible deal for his colleagues and then retiring.
Wow Andrew Miller sticks around and makes sure the CBA is agreed upon then retires 2 weeks later. What a stud
— Dinkleberg (@JoshHansen25) March 24, 2022
Players will be forever grateful with him for that, and for many additional things.
Fans, on the other hand, will miss him because he was a true stud on the mound.
From 2012 to 2017, he was arguably the top left-handed reliever in MLB, a true difference-maker who could cover multiple innings and was a bullpen ace for several teams, including those 2016 Cleveland Indians who barely lost the World Series.
Thank you Andrew Miller for giving us everything you had, best of luck in retirement #IndiansForever #RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/LTDb0xNfBV
— ItsJustMe (@itsjustme3434) March 24, 2022
A True Relief Ace
In that postseason run, manager Terry Francona used him as a true wild card to get multiple outs, helping change the way teams see relievers.
You could say with confidence that Miller helped change the game: he could enter in the ninth inning to get a save, in the fourth or fifth to help solve a messy situation, or in the seventh to set up for the closer in a tight game.
He would get the job done in any case and under any circumstances.
His stuff, from the bullpen, was excellent, and included a slider that earned him many, many swings and misses.
Andrew Miller retires. Top 5 favorite Yankee relievers for me. Hell of a career for the 6’7” lefty with one of the nastiest sliders I’ve ever seen. https://t.co/fj9b38sBte
— Conor Maguire (@cmaguire2008) March 24, 2022
He played for seven different teams and left his mark on each and every one of them, one way or another.
Miller was a two-time MLB All-Star (2016, 2017), a World Series champion (2013), the MVP of the 2016 AL Championship Series, and the AL Reliever of the Year in 2015.
He will be missed.
