Bernie Millan helped his Stockton team on a streak; Saw six pro seasons, briefly made AA

Originally published March 11, 2017

The Stockton Ports looked to make a run in 1994 and infielder Bernie Millan did his part.

In one July win, Millan picked up four hits, including a run-scoring triple, The Stockton Record wrote.

"Hopefully well get on a good streak now and get ourselves back in the race for the second half," Millan told The Record afterward.

Millan stretch run with single-A Stockton that year came in his fifth season as a pro. That season turned out to be his final full year. He made AA briefly the next season, but he made it no higher.

Millan's career began in 1990, signed by the Mets as an undrafted free agent out of his native Puerto Rico.

Millan's life in baseball, however, began much earlier. His father, Felix Millan, played in 12 major league seasons, from 1966 to 1977, for the Braves and Mets.

In July 1977, the 6-year-old Bernie Millan saw an opposing player have some fun with him by switching out his dirty Mets hat with a clean Cubs hat.

His pro career began at rookie Kingsport. He got into 57 games and hit .311. He also knocked in 20. He played 1991 between single-A Columbia and short-season Pittsfield, hitting .261.

Millan arrived at high-A St. Lucie for 1992, playing that season and 1993 there. He hit .271 in 1992 and .272 in 1993. He knocked in two runs in a May 1993 game. He picked up three hits and three RBI in a July 1993 contest.

Millan moved to the Brewers and Stockton for 1994. He hit .301 in 126 games. He also knocked in 51. He went 3 for 3 in an early September game.

His final season came in 1995, with 13 games at AA El Paso and 12 at independent Bend.

In 1998, Millan joined his father as an instructor at Chain Academy in Savannah.

• Stockton Record, July 1, 1994: Ports pitcher loses perfect game, earns win

More: The 1990 Kingsport Mets