Never Saw This Coming

Over the past summer the Sportswave Crew, Laird Allan, Jorge Parra and myself have had the privilege of getting to know several of the Vancouver Canadians players and management on a more personable basis.

One such individual was Manager Rich Miller, who went out of his way in which to accommodate any and all requests we and other media might have had.

We were saddened to hear of his release by the Toronto Blue Jays a short while after the conclusion of the season, in which they won the Championship.

While questions might arise, it happened and we are not only saddened, but shocked to hear of this from the parent team the Toronto Blue Jays.

We have kept in touch with Rich since the season came to a close and we recently received this letter from him, that we wanted to share.

We wish him and his lovely Wife Patti all the best as they move forward in whatever direction they travel and no doubt sport will play a role in what they do.

Please read the following and you will know how passionate Rich was about the City, the Team and everyone he was in contact with.

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Hello,

I’d like to thank the Vancouver Canadians fans for their loyalty and support.

You are the 10th player in the lineup. Your cheers and enthusiasm help to fire up your team and let the opponents know they’re facing more than the 9 players on the field.

Fans like you help win Championships.

My time managing the Canadians in 2011, but especially this past season in 2017, has provided me with some of my fondest moments as a coach.

The experience of baseball at ScotiaBank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium is something every baseball player and fan should experience.

There is no better place for a young player to start out his professional career.

There is no better place for a coach to enhance their love of the game.

I’d like to thank all in the Northwest League who voted for me as Manager of the Year. It is an honor that I will cherish.

To all the members of the Vancouver Canadians team, I hope you will take away great memories of the 2017 season.

Thank you for your hustle and heart. No matter what level you’re playing at, always hold on to your love of the game.

Remember you can’t just like it, you have to love it, or playing baseball will just become a job.

To succeed in baseball and life you must be filled with passion.

Don’t forget that in baseball you may have individual accomplishments, but to be a true winner you must be a good teammate.

You should be the biggest cheerleader for every member of your team. Support each other, be honest with each other and lift each other’s spirits up every day.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I’m disappointed that I won’t be returning to Manage the Canadians.

That said, after 45 years in professional baseball, I know that decisions are made that don’t always make sense at the time.

However, I’ve learned you have to trust that in the long run they will always lead to an exciting new adventure.

I love the game of baseball. It is an honor to have played professionally at a game I’ve been passionate about since I was a little boy holding a bat for the first time.

It is a privilege to be able to work with young players to help them to grow into better baseball players and hopefully even better men.

I am eager to see where my next baseball opportunity will lead me.

Next to my Wife and Family, I’m most passionate about baseball and I will take my passion, enthusiasm, experience and knowledge with me to the benefit of the next organization and players that I work with.

Again, I thank everyone who made 2017 a Championship Season.

Good luck to you all on whatever paths you travel moving forward!!

Respectfully,

Rich Miller

Manager, 2017 Vancouver Canadians

2017 Manager of the year, Northwest League