Rox Pile
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The tragic story that doomed the Colorado Rockies 1994 Draft class

By Noah Yingling

7 Mar 1999: Infielder Nomar Garciaparra #5 of the Boston Red Sox smiles as he stands on the field during the Spring Training game against the Texas Rangers at the City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Florida. The Red Sox defeated the Rangers 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
7 Mar 1999: Infielder Nomar Garciaparra #5 of the Boston Red Sox smiles as he stands on the field during the Spring Training game against the Texas Rangers at the City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Florida. The Red Sox defeated the Rangers 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport /
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Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Nomar Garciaparra
BRONX, NY – CIRCA 1998: Nomar Garciaparra #5 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during an MLB game at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York. Nomar Garciaparra played for 14 seasons with 4 different teams, was a 6-time All-Star and won the Rookie of the Year in 1997. (Photo by SPX/Ron Vesely Photography via Getty Images) /

The Colorado Rockies drafted a left-handed pitcher out of high school in Sarasota, Florida by the name of Doug Million.

Million had a signing bonus of $905,000 and seemed to be the real deal. Baseball America ranked him their #19 overall prospect entering the 1995 season and #69 prospect entering the 1996 season.

However, he started to struggle at Advanced-A ball and in Double-A in 1997. He went 5-14 with an ERA of 6.32 in 28 games (27 starts) between the two leagues but that became a minor footnote in late September.

Million, who was still only 21 years old, was playing an electronic trivia game with a teammate at a restaurant in Mesa, Arizona. Million had suffered with asthma throughout his life, including numerous asthma attacks. But this time, Million suffered an asthma attack so severe that he had to be rushed to the hospital. The following morning (September 22, 1997), Million died of the asthma attack three weeks shy of his 22nd birthday.

It just goes to show that you a) can never take life for granted and b) there are more important things in life than just baseball.

Some of the MLB players that were in the first round of the 1994 draft after Million included:

  • Future Colorado Rockies infielder Todd Walker, Minnesota
  • Nomar Garciaparra, Boston
  • Paul Konerko, Dodgers
  • Jason Varitek, Mariners
  • Future Colorado Rockies pitcher Scott Elarton
  • Future Colorado Rockies outfielder Jay Payton
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