The New York Times' Tyler Kepner was able to tear himself away from the Yankees long enough to write a good article about Brad Mills. It's a lot of stuff we've heard from the Houston media, but here's a good story:
Mills was Francona’s detail man, coordinating spring training and poring through scouting reports for every series. With opposing runners on base, it was Mills’s job to signal for a pickoff move.
In the eighth inning of Game 2 of the 2007 World Series, with the Red Sox leading by a run against Colorado, Mills relayed a scouting report that said Matt Holliday, the runner at first base, might try to steal. Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon rarely throws to first, but on Mills’s tip, he whirled and picked off Holliday.
“It’s one thing to have our scouts provide that information, but at some point that has to translate and be applied in the game,” said John Farrell, the Red Sox’ pitching coach. “That’s where Brad’s attention to detail would not let anything be overlooked.”
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
