BATAVIA - Matt Milroy is headed to the University of Illinois and not to the minor leagues. At least not yet.

The Illini signee said Monday the Boston Red Sox recently decided not to offer a contract to the right-handed pitcher after drafting him in June. Major League Baseball’s signing deadline for incoming college recruits or collegians with remaining eligibility was 11 p.m. CDT  Monday.

Ex-Illini Spiezio back in pro baseball

Bob Zuppke checks in as Loren Tate's greatest Illini coach of all time. Read on for the rest — and his explanation as to why he picked the way he did.

DES MOINES, Iowa – As word spread that the starting catcher for the Chicago Cubs was headed to the disabled list, the messages began flooding into Chris Robinson's cell phone.

"As soon as it happened, former teammates and everybody was texting me, seeing whether I would be the guy," the former Illinois catcher said.

Which former Illini is the best at his current sport?

1. Deron Williams, NBA — Utah Jazz star and Olympic gold medalist among top couple point guards in the league

From Huff Hall to Memorial Stadium to the Assembly Hall – and especially to Illinois Field, a relative Voodoo hall of superstitions – UI athletes consider their numbers an extension of themselves. Their jersey or uniform number is more than fancy stitching.

"It's your identity," says basketball forward Dominique Keller, No. 23.

Otto Vogel

Forty years ago, former Illinois baseball star Otto Vogel died at the age of 69. Born in Mendota, he lettered in 1921 in football for coach Bob Zuppke, but he was better known as an outfielder for Carl Lundgren's baseball squad, lettering from 1921 to '23. Vogel hit .417 as a sophomore, the 15th-best single-season batting average in Illini history. He played for the Chicago Cubs in the 1923 and 1924 seasons. In 111 major league games, Vogel had 63 hits in 253 at-bats, ending with a .249 average. He was hired as head baseball coach for the University of Iowa in 1925 and, interrupted by service in World War II, totaled 35 years directing the Hawkeyes. Vogel compiled a 440-382-13 record, winning Iowa's first five Big Ten baseball championships. Illinois' top 15 single-season hitters:

News you can't leave work without: UI freshmen guards Richardson, Bertrand, Paul choose jersey Nos. 1-2-3 to begin their Illini careers