All-Star reliever, MLB union rep Andrew Miller retires at 36

Andrew Miller, a two-time All-Star and dominating playoff reliever who helped broker the recent labor deal that ended Major League Baseball’s 99-day lockout, has retired at 36.

Miller had a 4.75 ERA in 40 games last season, his third year with St. Louis. The southpaw with a devastating slider played 16 seasons with seven teams and was the 2016 AL Championship Series MVP for Cleveland.

Long involved with the players’ association, Miller has spent the past few months on the union’s executive subcommittee as it negotiates with the owners toward a settlement.

“Andrew’s selfless, tireless and relentless advocacy on behalf of his comrades and future players during difficult times will be as much a part of his baseball legacy as his extraordinary achievements on the field,” the union said in a statement Thursday.

“His thoughtful, reasoned and pragmatic leadership has won the respect of his fellow players at all 30 clubs,” he said.

With his sharp slider, Miller became one of the majors’ most coveted relievers. His impact was reinforced by the way he was used, especially by Cleveland manager Terry Francona in the 2016 playoffs.

Miller has pitched a total of 10 times in the AL Division, ALCS and World Series, working in a variety of roles. Although he wasn’t the closest — Cody Allen filled that role — Miller was called in whenever the situations mattered most. He struck out 30 batters in 19 1-3 innings and stoked 14 of Toronto’s 25 batters he faced in the ALCS.

Cleveland ended up losing to the Chicago Cubs in Game 7 of the World Series.

Miller appeared in 11 different playoff matchups for Baltimore, New York Yankees, Cleveland and St. Louis, with a 0.93 ERA. He was 2-1 with one save and struck out 54 in 38 2-3 innings.

Miller was 55-55 with 63 saves with a 4.03 ERA in 612 total games during a career that also included time with Detroit, Boston and the Florida Marlins before they became the Miami Marlins. He was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2003 when the team still went by that name, but did not sign.

He made his major league debut with Detroit in 2006 and was traded after the 2007 season to the Marlins as part of the deal that transferred Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers.

Miller made his 66th and final major league start in 2011 with the Red Sox, then quickly found his footing as a full-time reliever. He was dealt in 2016 just before the Yankees’ July 31 trade deadline in Cleveland and turned into a postseason sensation for the way he was used and his success.

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