Trevecca Nazarene University

MIKE MILLS
BASEBALL
St. Petersburg, Florida | 1979–1982

Mike Mills starred as a right-handed pitcher for the Trevecca baseball program from 1979 to 1982, emerging as one of the most dominant pitchers of the Elliot Johnson era and one of the greatest in program history. Playing during Johnson’s first three seasons on the Hill—years that helped lay the foundation for Trevecca’s baseball legacy—Mills set multiple records that have stood the test of time.

During Mills’ three seasons, the Trojans amassed an impressive 89–30 overall record and a 30–11 conference mark. Those early years under Coach Johnson, himself a Trevecca Athletic Hall of Famer and the program’s all-time winningest coach, established the standard of excellence that continues to define Trevecca baseball.

Mills wasted no time etching his name into the record books. As a freshman, he set the Trevecca single-season record for earned run average with an incredible 2.12 ERA—a mark that remained the program record until 2004 and still ranks as the lowest season ERA recorded in the first 50 years of Trevecca baseball, spanning both the NAIA and NCAA eras.

He followed that remarkable debut with a 2.36 ERA in 1981 (then third-best all time, still seventh) and a 2.69 ERA in 1982 (then fourth-best, still twelfth). All three of his single-season ERAs continue to rank among Trevecca’s top 12 all-time, underscoring his consistency and excellence.

On the career front, Mills compiled 28 wins in just three seasons—tied for fourth-most in the NAIA era—and finished with a 2.41 career ERA, which ranked first in school history at the time and still stands as second all-time. He also recorded 222 career strikeouts, which was second-most in Trevecca history when he graduated and still ranks among the program’s all-time leaders.

Mills’ full statistical impact reflects his dominance:

• Career ERA: 2.41 (1st then, 2nd now)

• Career Wins: 22 (2nd then, 7th now)

• Career Strikeouts: 222 (2nd then, 7th now)

• Lowest Single-Season ERA in Program History: 2.12 (1980 – still 4th all-time)

His season-by-season performance:

• 1980: 7–3, 2.12 ERA, 63 strikeouts

• 1981: 7–4, 2.36 ERA, 87 strikeouts

• 1982: 8–3, 2.69 ERA, 72 strikeouts

Following his collegiate career, Mills’ talent drew professional attention. He was drafted twice—first by the Cincinnati Reds in the 32nd round of the 1981 MLB Draft, and then again by the San Diego Padres in the 7th round of the 1982 draft.

He went on to play professionally in the San Diego Padres organization, reaching the Triple-A level before an injury ended his career. During his professional tenure, Mills pitched for several notable teams, including the Reno Padres, Spokane Indians, Beaumont Golden Gators, Las Vegas Stars, Wichita Pilots, Dunedin Blue Jays, Knoxville Blue Jays, and El Paso Diablos.

Mike Mills’ name remains synonymous with pitching excellence at Trevecca. His records, longevity in the top tiers of the record book, and impact during the formative years of the program make him one of the most significant players in Trojan baseball history.