Billy McMillon facts for kids

Billy McMillon (born November 17, 1971) is a former American professional baseball player. He was an outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB). Billy played for four different teams between 1996 and 2004. He threw and batted with his left hand. He is also a member of the International League Hall of Fame.

After his playing days, McMillon became a coach and manager. He worked in Minor League Baseball. Most recently, he managed the Worcester Red Sox in 2021. This team is a Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. In 2022, he became a development coach for the Rochester Red Wings. They are a Triple-A team for the Washington Nationals. In late 2024, it was announced he would manage the Fredericksburg Nationals.

Early Life and College Baseball

Billy McMillon was born in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He went to high school in Bishopville, South Carolina. After high school, he attended Clemson University. There, he played college baseball for the Tigers.

He played from 1991 to 1993. During this time, he had a strong batting average of .382. The Florida Marlins chose him in the eighth round of the 1993 Major League Baseball draft. This was the start of his professional baseball journey.

Billy McMillon's Playing Career

McMillon began his professional career in 1993. He played for the Elmira Pioneers, a farm team of the Marlins. In 1994, he played for the Kane County Cougars. He was chosen as an all-star for the Midwest League.

In 1995, McMillon played for the Portland Sea Dogs. This team was also connected to the Marlins. He batted .313, hit 14 home runs, and had 93 runs batted in (RBIs). He led the Eastern League in hits and walks. He was named an all-star outfielder and the league's most valuable player.

McMillon moved up to Triple-A in 1996. He played for the Charlotte Knights. There, he was named the International League Rookie of the Year.

Major League Baseball Debut

Billy McMillon made his major league debut in 1996 with the Marlins. He played in 41 MLB games over two seasons. In 1997, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. With the Phillies, he played in 24 games. He batted .292 with two home runs and 13 RBIs.

He later played for the Detroit Tigers in 2000 and 2001. He appeared in 66 games. He hit five home runs and had 28 RBIs. His last MLB team was the Oakland Athletics. He played for them in 2001, 2003, and 2004. With Oakland, he batted .248 with nine home runs and 47 RBIs in 138 games.

Overall, McMillon played in 269 MLB games. He had a batting average of .248. He hit 16 home runs and had 93 RBIs. He played in three major league postseason games with Oakland in 2003. He mostly played as an outfielder. He also played as a designated hitter and a first baseman. His fielding average as an outfielder was .974.

McMillon also played in 992 minor league games. He had a .304 batting average, 127 home runs, and 610 RBIs. In 2019, he was chosen for the International League Hall of Fame.

Managing and Coaching Career

After retiring as a player, McMillon joined the Red Sox organization. In 2008 and 2009, he was the batting coach for the Greenville Drive. This was a Single-A team. He became the manager of the Drive in 2010. He led them to a good record and a playoff appearance.

In 2012, he became manager of the Salem Red Sox. This was a Class A-Advanced team. In 2013, he led Salem to win the Carolina League championship. His team won their last 11 games of the season and playoffs.

Managing Double-A and Triple-A Teams

In 2013, McMillon was named manager of the Portland Sea Dogs. This team is the Red Sox' Double-A affiliate. He had played for the Sea Dogs himself in 1995. In 2014, his team finished first in their division. McMillon was named the league's manager of the year.

His team included future MLB stars like Mookie Betts. Many of his players moved up to higher levels. He managed the Sea Dogs again in 2015. From 2016 to 2018, he worked as a coordinator. He helped minor league outfielders and base runners.

In 2018, McMillon returned to managing. He became the manager of the Pawtucket Red Sox. This was a Triple-A team. The 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, McMillon became the first manager of the Worcester Red Sox. This team took over from Pawtucket as Boston's Triple-A team.

Managerial Record

Personal Life

Billy McMillon earned a bachelor's degree from Clemson University. He also has an MBA from the University of Phoenix. While at Clemson, he joined the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

In 2012, McMillon was inducted into the Clemson University Athletic Hall of Fame. He lives in Columbia, South Carolina, with his wife and two children.