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Is Kevin Millar a Hall of Famer?



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I know what you all are thinking...This is a stupid question, of course Kevin Millar is a Hall of Famer. But take a trip down memory lane of one of baseballs finest players...

Star-divide

Replacement player

Millar was a replacement player during the 1994 MLB Baseball strike when he played with the replacements in early 1995 and therefore, he is barred from membership in the Major Leage Baseball Players Association.

Florida Marlins (1998–2002)

From 1997 to 1999, during games encompassing several minor league stints, Millar set the record for most consecutive games reaching base with 71 straight (although this statistic only began to be formally tracked in the minors in 1996). This record was tied in 2003 by future Red Sox teammate Kevin Youkillis. His contract was purchased by the Florida Marlins at the end of the season and he made his major league debut for Florida in 1998.

Boston Red Sox (2003–2005)

Millar played for the Marlins between 1998 and 2002, and was later sold to the Japanese Central Leagues Chunichi Dragons. In order for the transaction to be completed, he first had to clear the waivers requested by the Marlins, but the Red Sox broke an "unwritten rule" and blocked the deal with a waiver claim. In an unprecedented deal brokered by MLB, the Marlins later repaid the money that the Dragons had paid for Millar, and the Sox also paid a similar sum to the Marlins in return for Millar. He became a clubhouse favorite and a sort of cult hero for the Red Sox fans because of his iconic "Cowboy Up" rallying cry. His clubhouse presence and offensive production helped spark the Red Sox to the 2003 ALCS and the 2004 World Series.  Millar was active in team interviews and conversations throughout the playoffs. He was often outspoken and made friends with many teammates.

During the 2003 playoffs, Millar came up with the phrase "Cowboy Up," and in 2004 referred to his team as "idiots" to keep his teammates loose during the stretch run to the World Series Championship.

Probably one of his most memorable quotes came during the 2004 ALCS when, while warming up before Game 4, with the Red Sox down 3 games to 0 against the arch-rival New York Yankees he kept repeating "Don't let us win tonight!" Further developing on that quote, he added "This is a big game. They've got to win because if we win we've got Petie(Pedro) coming back today and then Schilling will pitch Game 6 and then you can take that fraud stuff and put it to bed. Don't let the Sox win this game." These words became prophetic as the Sox rallied in 12 innings in game 4 to win 6-4 and went on to come from behind and win the ALCS 4 games to 3, capping off the biggest comeback in MLB playoff history and making Bill Simmons an unsufferable douche for quite some time.

Baltimore Orioles (2006–2008)

Millar signed with the Baltimore Orioles on January 12, 2006 as a free agent. During the season he broke Rey Ordonez's  record for most games played by any non-drafted player who started his career in the Independent Leagues during the Draft era.

He was not only brought to Baltimore because of his bat, but also his personality. Initially in Baltimore, he was not an everyday player. However, when Dave Trembley over the team, he began to play more regularly.

On August 23, 2007, Millar reached base safely for the 50th consecutive game, setting a franchise record for the Baltimore Orioles. On August 26, 2007 Millar's streak came to an end at 52 games. It is the 7th longest streak since 1957.

In Game 7 of the 2007 ALCS, Millar threw out the First Pitch at  Fenway Also, he introduced the Red Sox starting lineup for Fox Television. Even though he got permission from Orioles brass, it was seen as controversial.He has a special relationship with the Sox, including other instances when every member of the Orioles was booed except for Millar at an O's-Sox game at Fenway Park. Signs have also appeared at Fenway Park and Camden Yards with phrases like "Millar: Fenway's favorite Oriole."

Toronto Blue Jays (2009)

On February 11, 2009, Millar signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays as a non-roster invitee. He successfully made the roster, serving as a backup to first baseman Lyle Overbay.

On Friday, April 10, 2009, during the Cleveland Indians' 2009 home opener at Progressive Field, Millar avoided a potentially embarrassing and rally-slowing situation when he stumbled and fell running to first base after hitting a ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta in the top of the 8th inning. Peralta threw to Asdrúbal Cabrera at second base unsuccessfully attempting to force out Scott Rolen who was on first base, and Cabrera's relay to first was in the dirt and subsequently mishandled by Ryan Garko, which allowed Millar to reach first base safely. Millar reached second base after José Bautista's sacrifice bunt and then was replaced by John McDonald as a pinch runner, who then scored after Shin-Soo Choo's fielding error during Marco Scutaro's single to right field. The Blue Jays would go on to score six runs in the inning, four of which came after two outs were recorded, and win the game 13–7.

After Alex Rios was claimed off waivers, Millar switched his number from #30 to his familiar #15.

Chicago Cubs (2010)

On February 1, 2010, Millar agreed to a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs, with an invitation to spring training.However, on March 30, he was released by the Cubs after not making the major league team.

Poll
Is Kevin Millar a Hall of Famer?
Yes
94 votes
No
157 votes

251 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 13 comments  |  4 recs  | 

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Comments

Display:

Must resist urge to rec…….

Life as a Toronto Sports Fan?... *sigh*... It is what it is...

by JohnnyG on Oct 15, 2010 6:51 PM EDT reply actions  

Who voted no?!?!?

Banhammers!!!

Life as a Toronto Sports Fan?... *sigh*... It is what it is...

by JohnnyG on Oct 15, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

Great post Kevin.

I think your resume speaks for itself. I voted “yes”

by craig in calgary on Oct 15, 2010 7:35 PM EDT reply actions  

YES all the way! How can anyone doubt him?

Waiting for Tom’s comment, though…

Tom, I know he has your vote…

Festina Lente

by HESS2479 on Oct 16, 2010 2:30 AM EDT reply actions  

KEVIN MILLAR IS ALONE AT THE TOP OF “THE WORLD OF AWESOME SUCKAGE.”
Hall of Famer for sure.

The 4th Line Blog
Go Flames Go

by Justin Azevedo on Oct 16, 2010 7:19 PM EDT reply actions  

Is Kevin Millar a hall of famer douche?

x Yes
0 No

by siggian on Oct 18, 2010 9:49 AM EDT reply actions  

43% Yes

Wow, I assumed it would be more in the 1% / 99% range

by craig in calgary on Oct 18, 2010 1:24 PM EDT reply actions  

Haven’t you seen his resume? This guy’s definitely a hall of famer!! First-time ballot no doubt!

by Qd6 on Oct 18, 2010 7:11 PM EDT reply actions  

What Hall of Fame are we talking about?

there’s probably a few obscure Halls of Fame Millar qualifies for. One of which is not the Baseball hall of fame.

Excuse me, do these effectively hide my thunder?

by T.Dot_Bronco on Oct 19, 2010 8:33 PM EDT reply actions  

Yes!

Some great things are hard to quantify. I think you did a good job Kevin pointing out your strengths, because numbers don’t tell the whole story sometimes.

by wadcanshuur on Oct 20, 2010 10:33 AM EDT reply actions  

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