The Norfolk Tides today announced that Marty Miller, Christy Mathewson and Marvin Astor “Towny” Townsend are being inducted into the Tidewater Baseball Shrine. The Tidewater Baseball Shrine recognizes players and executives who have significantly contributed to the game of baseball in the Tidewater area. The Tides will induct the three new members between their doubleheader vs. Jacksonville on Friday, July 26th at Harbor Park. Miller is expected to be in attendance, while Townsend’s family will accept his award for him.
MARTY MILLER joined the Norfolk State community as a student athlete and became a staple within the Spartan community with a career that has spanned nearly 50 years. As a player, Miller was the First Spartan baseball player to become an NCAA College Division All-American. He posted a .380 batting average as a sophomore, .438 batting average as a junior and .406 batting average as a senior and was an All-CIAA baseball selection in 1967 and 1968. He also led the nation in doubles as a senior in 1968. Following graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army during the Vietnam War. Miller was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas and specialized in air defense artillery. He served for nearly two years before he signed a professional contract with the Minnesota Twins during the 1970-71 season. Miller was named the head baseball coach at Norfolk State in 1973 and held the role until 2005, when he was promoted to Director of Intercollegiate Athletics for the Spartans. While coaching, Miller led Norfolk State to 712 wins in his 32-plus year career and is the winningest coach in program history.