2017 Northwest Herald Baseball Player of the Year: McHenry's Bobby Miller

The breaks don’t get much tougher than the one McHenry’s baseball team was dealt in the postseason.

Ace right-handed pitcher Bobby Miller, who struck out 10 in the Warriors’ 2-1 win against Jacobs in the Class 4A Jacobs Regional, suffered an injury to his right knee and could not throw against Huntley in the McHenry Sectional semifinal.

Miller felt pain in his knee while running in practice a few days earlier and eventually had arthroscopic surgery on June 7. The Warriors lost to Huntley, 7-2, without a chance to throw Miller, who whiffed 93 batters in 59 innings and had an ERA of 0.83.

Miller was still selected as the Northwest Herald Baseball Player of the Year after registering a 6-1 record, a WHIP of 0.847 and 19 walked batters while allowing seven earned runs for the whole season. On top of that, he hit .375 with five homers and 27 RBIs in the No. 2 slot for the Warriors.

Miller will heal up this summer and head to Louisville. He was taken in the 38th round of Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player Draft but felt he was better off sticking with Louisville, an NCAA power, where he can develop and hopes to get drafted again in three years.

Miller takes on these questions from Northwest Herald sports writer Joe Stevenson about baseball, Louisville alumni and his favorite athlete, who is not surprising considering Miller also sports a great flow.

What musical act would you most like to see in concert this summer?

Miller: Travis Scott, because his concerts are fun, and his music is good.

If you could have a sandwich named in your honor, what would be on it and what would you call it?

Miller: Salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese and extra hot sauce. I am a very picky eater. I'd call it "The Rambo" because that's the nickname assistant coach Zach Badgley gave me.

What is your favorite wild animal?

Miller: A gorilla because everyone is scared of them.

How many famous Louisville alumni can you name?

Miller: Reds outfielder Adam Duvall, White Sox minor league pitcher Zach Burdi and Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Which of your teammates really inspires you?

Miller: Max Walter is the coolest kid in the world. He is the funniest person in the dugout, and everyone just loves that kid.

What are three of your favorite baseball movies?

Miller: "Rookie of the Year," "The Sandlot" and "Moneyball."

You get to have dinner and talk baseball with three major league players (past or present). Who are you picking?

Miller: Babe Ruth, Bartolo Colon and Anthony Rizzo.

What was your favorite class in high school?

Miller: Gym class because sitting in the classroom is boring.

What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you on a baseball field?

Miller: I missed a sign (I was slow at the time) and got thrown out at second. I was told, "Why would we ever steal you?" I learned to not miss a sign after that.

What was your favorite moment from this past season?

Miller: Throwing a no-hitter against Dundee-Crown.

Who is your favorite professional sports team?

Miller: The Cubs.

What superhero power would you most like to have?

MIller: Super speed, so I can never be late to anything.

What was your favorite Disney movie when you were growing up?

Miller: "Toy Story."

What was the last good book you read?

MIller: "To Kill a Mockingbird."

Where would you most like to go on a vacation?

Miller: The Dominican Republic.

What would you like to change about baseball?

Miller: I would like to see more pitchers who hit and play positions in the major leagues.

What is one of your biggest pet peeves?

Miller: When people chew with their mouths open. It is disgusting.

What scares you?

MIller: Definitely spiders. I don't know why, but I am a baby when it comes to spiders.

Who is your favorite professional athlete?

Miller: Bryce Harper. He's got the meanest flow and hits bombs.

You just won a million dollars, what’s the first thing you would buy?

Miller: A lot of clothes. I'm all about fashion.