Larry H. Miller: A Major Risk-Taker

This one comes from a George Bernard Shaw quote, which was used by the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy during his ill-faded 1968 presidential campaign:

"Some people look at things and ask, 'Why?' I look at things and ask, 'Why not?'"

And no truer words can be spoken about Larry H. Miller.

That's the way he leads his life.

And this 54-year-old visionary has moved mountains. The Wasatch National Range, which surrounds Salt Lake City, to be exact. Even if the odds are a million-to-one against him, don't bet against him. You'd lose. No question.

He hates to lose.

That's why he was able to turn a bad dream to a good one in the mid-1980s. Miller picked up the phone and called his partner, with the NBA Utah Jazz.

Sam Battistone: Hello?

Miller: Hey.

Battistone: Larry?

Miller: Yup.

Battistone: What's up?

Miller: Sam, I have an offer you can't refuse.

Battistone: And what's that?

Miller: I want to buy the Jazz.

Battistone: You want to do what?

Miller: I didn't studder. I want to buy the Jazz.

Battistone: I'm listening. . .

That was that.

And the rest is history.

Having saved Utah's most precious sports commodity, the Jazz, to the public, Miller became a registered dynamic genius. A winner. He was the one with the loot, blood, sweat, and tears to have his own arena --The Delta Center -- built to house the Jazz.

Before Miller entered the NBA picture in Salt Lake City, Battistone was running a high-wire act, with the people's emotions. It was cruel. He was threatening to sale the team to out-of-state buyers.

The city loved the team.

That was then. This is now. . .

Miller's Jazz are in the NBA finals for the second straight year. And the Jazz fans are saying, "Show Me The Title!"

And Miller has never played with the public's emotions. His efforts have always been first class. He ushered in a new era. His team mimics what the Salt Lake people want. A blue-collar mentality. A working-class attitude.

And the Jazz, which is in the smallest NBA market, has become the league's answer to the NFL's Green Bay Packers.

And it's been Miller to have the brass to do it. A major risk-taker.

But people in men's fast-pitch softball always knew what a competitor Miller was. Miller, a pitcher, went after hitters the same way he attacks life. With great zest. Respect . . .he earned it the old-fashion way -- he worked for it. Sweat came from his browl.

He fooled hitters. But never the public.

Whatever he says, you can book it. It's his word. You can go to the bank with it. And he shouldn't ever have to apologize for his success. He's a self-made millionaire. He wasn't born with a golden spoon. He's met life's challenges. He conquered them.

He pitched a dropball in life, eliminating the word "never" from his vocabulary.

The key to his success has been that he surrounds himself with solid people. Very capable people. Commited people. Winners.

With the Jazz, it's his basketball people -- coach Jerry Sloan, president Frank Layden, vice-president Scott Layden, and of course, his team leaders -- Karl Malone, and John Stockton.

His Miller Toyota men's major fast-pitch team, which he started in 1979, started to scare the registered giants when pitching legend Peter Meredith came aboard in 1989.

"Larry is a major-league risk-taker," explains Meredith, the man of 1,000 wins. "By that I mean he doesn't fear losing. Losing isn't part of his makeup. Or how else would he be able to build what he has, and who would have taken such a risk to build a new arena for his team? You have to believe in yourself. And Larry does."

But Meredith wasn't finished. And who really is when they talk about the mountains the ISC Hall of Fame pitcher (1992) has climbed.

"Larry, without question is the best sponsor in fast-pitch softball," continued Meredith. "No question about that. When we're on the road, we always go first-cabin. A lot of teams have to drive to tournaments. That's because of the expenses involved in flying. Larry wouldn't have it. He's major league.

"I don't know about any promises he made to himself about being a fastpitch softball sponsor. \But he always keeps his promises and commitments to us. Our team really respects him. We know we have a great relationship with Larry."

Actually, the reason Miller and Meredith get along so well is they both hate to lose. Losing isn't in their vocabulary. Losing eats at them. They hate settling for second best.

"Miller keeps fastpitch softball alive in Salt Lake City," added Meredith. There are a lot of players around the world who want to play for us because of his commitment. We want to win for him and the community. I know one thing, coming to play for Larry is the best decision I've ever made in my life."

Miller is nonstop in keeping his commitments.

And there have been a few other commitments that Salt Lake Cityshould be very thankful. When the city needed $3 million to finish building Franklin Covey Field, which houses the Pacific Coast League's Salt Lake Buzz, Miller was there.

He wasn't just there with his money. But he also was there to oversee the project from the beginning, getting the architects, and construction firms to do it. It was something he knew.

Remember his arena -- The Delta Center.

That's but one example of Miller's commitment to excellence.

"I'm just grateful to be part of something that I love, and that's this community," said Miller, wiping away a tear.

That's the other side to this compassionate and competitive man. He sometimes wears his emotions on his sleeve. He's that passionate.

And it's obvious he's got plenty of passion and plenty of emotion to go around.

And remember, he's the one who took a bad dream and turned it into a good one. . .

Editor's Note:
DAN PATTISON has been a sports writer and columnist for over 30 years with The Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune, Las Vegas Sun, The Sporting News, Basketball Times & USA Today.  He is currently enjoying his association with men's major fastpitch and as an ISC Commissioner.