Upon Joe Millette's arrival in Philadelphia for his first big league call-up in July 1992, The Philadelphia Daily News noted lack of scouting interest out of college meant he'd almost given up the game then.
But Millette kept at it, and kept his hopes alive. Four years later, the energetic shortstop made his major league debut, The Daily News wrote.
"I want to play the field, get some hits, have a little fun," Millette told The Daily News that July.
Millette went on to have fun in the majors over two seasons, 43 appearances.
Millette's career began in 1988, signed by the Phillies as an undrafted free agent out of St. Mary's College in California.
Millette first hit the field for the Phillies in 1989, at single-A Spartanburg and short-season Batavia. He saw 71 games and hit .239.
He then played 1990 at high-A Clearwater, where he hit just .183 over 108 games, but still made the league All-Star game on the strength of his defense. In the game, however, his defense failed him, but he scored a run.
"Yeah, at least I scored a run," Millette told The Tampa Tribune afterward. "It wasn't all bad. I ust wish it would have been a little better."
Millette spent most of 1991 at AA Reading, then started 1992 at AAA Scranton. Then, that July, he made Philadelphia.
Millette saw 33 appearances for the Phillies that year. He hit .205. The next April, back at AAA, Millette's manager George Culver offered praise of Millette to The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader.
"Joe's been incredible," Culver told The Times Leader. "If there was ever a guy you pull for, it's him. He's a Tommy Barrett-type kid, he wears his heart on his sleeve."
Millette then returned to the Phillies for 10 more games that year. He went 2 for 10 to end his big league career.
Millette moved to the Marlins and AAA Edmonton for 1994 and AAA Charlotte for 1995. He saw the Pirates and AAA Calgary in 1996 and AA and AAA with the Mariners in 1997. He's credited with one final appearance in 1998, with the Cubs at West Tennessee to end his career.
- Tampa Tribune, June 27, 1990: AL stars take advantage of NL's shaky defense
- Philadelphia Daily News, July 17, 1992: For Millette, the long wait is finally over
- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, April 25, 1993: Red Barons' Millette batting No. 9 hitter's image away
Made the Majors:1,272-33.9%-X
Never Made Majors:2,486-66.1%
5+ Seasons in the Majors:524
10+ Seasons in the Minors:312
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