Holyoke Millers

1981 Holyoke Millers

Tom Kayser served as general manager and was in his second season as an owner of the Millers, having been with the club since its relocation from Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1977. Jim Saul became the new manager, replacing Lee Sigman, who left to manage the Vancouver Canadians of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. Saul, a former catcher, was entering his sixth season as a manager, with previous stops in Salinas, California, and in Midland and El Paso, Texas.

T.J. Byrne, the trainer for 1981, joined the Millers from the Pioneer League's Idaho Falls Angels after the 1980 season. Behind the plate, Mark Nocciolo, who had played with Salinas and Salt Lake in 1980, was on the roster. The 1981 Millers roster included Gary Pettis, who later played for the Angels, Tigers, Rangers, and Padres, and Dennis Rasmussen, who later played for the Padres, Yankees, Reds, Cubs, and Royals. Other players listed on the roster included John Yandle, Ricky Adams, Mike Brown, Chris Clark, Dennis Gilbert, Curt Brown, Jeff Conner, Lonnie Dugger, Dave Duran, Rick Foley, Pat Keedy, Darrell Miller, Les Pearsey, Gus Polidor, Brandt Humphry, Bill Mooneyham, Perry Morrison, Rick Rommell, and Ed Rodriguez.

Did You Know?

• The Millers' nickname was derived from the many paper mills that Holyoke was noted for, especially in the first half of the 20th century.
• Tom Kayser was general manager and in his second season as an owner of the Millers in 1981, having been with the club since it moved from Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1977.
• Darrell Miller, who played for the Millers in 1981, is the brother of basketball stars Cheryl Miller and Reggie Miller.