Diamond Dynasty

Three Generations In Baseball

Mills (seated) is interviewed on camera at Doubleday Field by filmmaker Greg DeHart (tan shirt) for a film he is producing (in association with Erie Canal Productions) about Max Patkin and the other baseball comedians. The film is scheduled to be completed in late 2005.

Wee Willie Mills was born and raised in Schenevus, NY and began playing amateur ball there. He also played as an amateur in Oneonta and Utica before becoming a professional with Utica in 1899. He would post a 47-26 record with Utica in two seasons there; leading the club to the 1900 New York State League championship. In 1901 he began the season with a 13-game winning streak while playing for Schenectady. This lead to a cup of coffee with the NY Giants. During his career, he also pitched for Montreal, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Rochester, and Toronto.

Willie's son Arthur also became a ballplayer. He was born and raised in Utica and played amateur and semi-pro ball in Central NY for several different ballclubs. As a 17-year-old he served aboard the US Navy battleship USS New Mexico; where he played football on the fleet champion football team. He played professionally with Binghamton, Barre-Montpelier, Pittsfield, Providence, Buffalo, Toronto, and Williamsport. He reached the major leagues, in the National League like his father. Art spent part of two seasons with the Boston Braves. Art also reached the major leagues as a coach with the Detroit Tigers. In 1948, he was the only coach of their world championship team. Art finished his career as a coach for the Portland Beavers.

Art's son Billy also had a career in baseball. He wasn't a player like his father and grandfather, although he did play some amateur and semi-pro ball. Billy traveled the country as a baseball comedian in the 1950s. He also appeared on TV, at banquets, fairs, and other events. In this book he tells many stories of his family's years in baseball. He describes the time he and his father had drinks at Toots Shores with Joe DiMaggio; his friendship with NY Yankee great Lefty Gomez, his memories of baseball's "natural," Eddie Waitkus; and many, many more.

This book offers a first hand look at all three generations through the eyes of Billy Mills. From semi-pro ball for local factory teams, to major league debuts, to travels through the Panama Canal on a US Navy battleship, to serving in the Pacific during WWII, to meeting Joe DiMaggio, and much more.

$12.95, 110 pages with 15 photos. ($3.00 shipping & handling)

If you are in Central New York, this book is available at Park Row Booksellers in Clinton, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, and the Oneida County Historical Society in Utica.