Questioning Authority with Bob Milacki

Former Major Leaguer Bob Milacki spent the majority of his pitching career with the Baltimore Orioles. He made his big-league debut with Baltimore on Sept. 18, 1988, and held the Detroit Tigers to one hit over eight innings. The right-hander spent the next five seasons with the O's before putting in some time with the Indians, Royals, Mariners, Astros and Pirates organizations.

Milacki is now entering his seventh season as a pitching coach in the Pittsburgh organization, and his third for the Class A Advanced Lynchburg Hillcats.

MinorLeagueBaseball.com: What do you remember most about your first time around in the Minor Leagues?

Bob Milacki: A lot of stuff, but what I remember most is my first time playing professional baseball. I was placed into the instructional league my first year, so I was with guys from all over, all different levels from different places in the world. That was huge, but then to learn we all could relate through baseball was really cool.

MiLB.com: Have times changed that much? How different are the Minors from when you were a player?

BM: Players back then didn't make as much money, so we almost had to play harder to move up levels. Nowadays, some of the ones that are drafted higher up can maybe get away with a mediocre season and still move up -- we couldn't do that.

MiLB.com: Life in the Minors can be surreal. What's your favorite tale of the Minors, either as a player or on the bench?

BM: Some you might not want to mention (laughs). But my first time playing in the Carolina League, we were playing in a brand new stadium. It had rained for two straight weeks before Opening Day, and the field was so wet you could pull the sod up all over. The rules were no bunting and the warning track was like one big pool, it was great.

MiLB.com: How have teammates you played with in the bigs reacted to your current gig?

BM: It's a normal reaction, "Hey, he's going to make a career out of coaching," and not, "Oh no, he's going to the Minors again." I see some friends who are in the same position trying to make it to the big leagues again so that's cool to see them along the way.

MiLB.com: Do the guys on your team know much about you and your history as a player?

BM: I think some do, the ones who are stat freaks definitely do. Nowadays you can Google anyone, so I'm sure they do that when they have a chance. Every now and then I'll pop up on ESPN Classic where I was the opposing pitcher in a no-hitter.

MiLB.com: What have the players on your team taught you? Do they keep you up-to-date on pop culture?

BM: You have to feel it out, subtlety ask them questions. As a coach, you're not 'one of the guys,' you're a mentor, someone the guys can come to so you don't get involved in their personal lives too much. But with the lingo and some of their clothes, I certainly learn a lot of new things (laughs).

MiLB.com: What kind of reaction do you get from fans?

BM: I have some people who remember my days in Baltimore when I head to Frederick [Maryland]. They'll come to me with jerseys, balls, posters -- you know, all the memorabilia besides cards.

MiLB.com: What city or cities do you most look forward to stopping in during the season?

BM: In the Carolina League I like Wilmington because they draw a nice crowd. Myrtle Beach is beautiful, the hotel is within walking distance of the ballpark and there are some great places to eat.

MiLB.com: What's the toughest part of the job?

BM: Helping a player and seeing no results, seeing a player fail. You like to think you can help everyone improve, but sometimes you just can't. Also, telling a guy he's released or moving down a level is tough.

MiLB.com: Do you have a favorite promotion? What do you think of your bobblehead?

BM: They haven't made my own bobblehead, but that would be fun if they did. I didn't play in the era where the bobbleheads were big. When I played, you thought of those little dogs moving their heads around in the back of a Pinto (laughs). My favorite promotion is the sumo wrestling because you never know what'll happen.