Justin Miller, a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for four teams in his seven-year career, was found dead at his home in Palm Harbor, Florida, on June 26, 2013. He was 35 years old. The cause of death was not immediately determined, but the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said they were investigating the case.
Miller was best known for his distinctive tattoos, which covered most of his arms. He was the inspiration for the “Justin Miller rule”, which required pitchers with arm tattoos to wear long-sleeved shirts to avoid distracting the hitters. He also wore glasses on the mound, earning him the nickname “J. Millz” from his teammates.
Miller started his professional career with the Colorado Rockies, who drafted him in the fifth round of the 1997 MLB Draft. He was traded to the Oakland Athletics in 1999, and then to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2001. He made his major league debut with the Blue Jays in 2002, and had his best season in 2003, when he went 9-5 with a 5.54 ERA in 25 games (18 starts).
Miller missed most of the 2003 season with a shoulder injury, and struggled to regain his form in the following years. He played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Chiba Lotte Marines (in Japan), the Florida Marlins, the San Francisco Giants, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, before being released by the Dodgers in 2010. He had a career record of 24-14 with a 4.82 ERA and 300 strikeouts in 216 games (33 starts).
Miller was married to Jessica Miller, a former model and actress, and had two sons, Joseph and Johnnie. He was also the stepfather of Jessica’s daughter, Alexis. He was described by his family and friends as a loving, caring, and generous person, who had a passion for baseball and music. He was also a devout Christian, who attended church regularly and read the Bible every day.
Miller’s death shocked and saddened the baseball community, who remembered him as a talented and hard-working pitcher, and a fun-loving and friendly teammate. Many of his former teammates and coaches expressed their condolences and tributes on social media and in interviews. Some of them also raised awareness about the mental health issues that many athletes face, and urged people to seek help if they are struggling.
According to his mother, Patricia Miller, Justin Miller suffered from bipolar disorder, a mental illness that causes mood swings, depression, and anxiety. She said that he had been receiving treatment and medication for his condition, but that “in the end the disease won the fight”. She also said that she hoped that his death would inspire others to get help and support for their mental health problems.
Justin Miller’s cause of death was later revealed to be suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to the medical examiner’s report. His death was ruled a suicide, and no foul play was suspected. His family and friends held a memorial service for him on July 1, 2013, at the Generations Christian Church in Trinity, Florida. He was buried at the Curlew Hills Memory Gardens in Palm Harbor, Florida.
Justin Miller’s legacy lives on in his family, his fans, and his fellow baseball players, who remember him as a courageous and compassionate person, who fought hard against his demons, and who loved the game of baseball. He will always be missed and never forgotten. Rest in peace, J. Millz.
