Pittsburgh Pirates
Milner found himself in more of a reserve role with Pittsburgh, with the 333 at-bats he logged in 1978 being his fewest outside of his injury plagued 1975 season. His finest season with the Pirates came in 1979 when he hit sixteen home runs and drove in sixty backing up Willie Stargell at first and Bill Robinson in left field. Milner was held hitless in nine at-bats in the 1979 National League Championship Series with the Cincinnati Reds, but was 3-for-9 in the World Series with an RBI and two runs scored.
He developed and refined a reputation as a reliable pinch hitter that thrived in pressure situations during his tenure with the Pirates. On August 20, 1981, he was traded to the Montreal Expos for Willie Montañez, who was also part of the four team trade on December 8, 1977 (Montañez landed with the Mets). Milner reached the post season for the third time in his career as the Expos won the second half of the strike shortened 1981 season. He was 1-for-2 in the 1981 National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies with an RBI in game four. When he was released by the Expos midway through the 1982 season, he rejoined the Pirates. He was released by the Pirates the following Spring, and retired.
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