Kevin Millar

Infobox MLB player
name = Kevin Millar

---

width = 300
caption =
team = Baltimore Orioles
number = 15
position = First baseman
birthdate = birth date and age|1971|9|24
birthplace = city-state|Los Angeles|California
bats = Right
throws = Right
debutdate = April 11
debutyear = 1998
debutteam = Florida Marlins
statyear = 2008
stat1label = Batting average
stat1value = .277
stat2label = Home runs
stat2value = 163
stat3label = Runs batted in
stat3value = 670
teams =
*Florida Marlins (by|1998-by|2002)
*Boston Red Sox (by|2003-by|2005)
*Baltimore Orioles (by|2006-present)

Kevin Charles Millar (born September 24, 1971, in Los Angeles, California) is a professional first baseman who plays for the Baltimore Orioles and was a member of the 2004 World Series champion Boston Red Sox. Millar played college baseball at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he continues to reside in the off-season [ [http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=132788 The Official Site of The Baltimore Orioles: Team: Player Information : Biography and Career Highlights ] ] .

Biography

In 1993, Millar began his professional career with the Saint Paul Saints of the Northern League.

Replacement Player

Millar was a replacement player during the 1994 Major League Baseball strike, when he played with the replacements in early 1995 and therefore, he is barred from membership in the Major League Baseball Players Association." [http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/07/08/sports/csports070907.txt Millar a 'union guy' 12 years later] ", The Carroll County Times, published July 8, 2007, accessed July 8, 2007.]

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 Youkilis. 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 League 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 American League Championship Series 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.

Millar is considered an above-average fielder at his position, having led all American League first basemen with a 9.97 range factor in 2005.

Baltimore Orioles (2006-present)

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. [ [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060709&content_id=1548227&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal The Official Site of The Baltimore Orioles: News: Baltimore Orioles News ] ]

He was not only brought to Baltimore because of his bat, but also his personality. [http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2006/01/12/orioles_near_deal_with_bostons_millar/] Intially in Baltimore, he was not a everyday player. However, when Dave Trembley took over the team, he began to play more regularly. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/16/AR2007071600819.html?nav=rss_sports]

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 Park. Also, he introduced the Red Sox starting lineup for Fox Television. Even though he got permission from Orioles brass, it was seen as controversial. [http://wjz.com/sports/kevin.millar.orioles.2.683817.html]

Trivia

Millar is the nephew of former major league outfielder Wayne Nordhagen.

Video Game Aliases

Kevin Millar is not a member of the MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players Association), therefore, his name may not be published on a video game. For the video game MVP Baseball 2004, he was not listed nor replaced. In the video game MVP Baseball 2005, Millar is replaced by the fictional Anthony Friese. In Major League Baseball 2K5 and Major League Baseball 2K6, Millar is replaced by the fictional Carlos Ahearn. In the video game , he was replaced by the fictional Ivan Jimenez. In Major League Baseball 2K7 and Major League Baseball 2K8, Millar is replaced by the fictional Kyle Morgan, with the same initials. In MLB Power Pros 2008 he is replaced by the fictional Great Johnson. In all instances, the fictional characters' attributes are based on the real Kevin Millar.

See also

* Top 500 home run hitters of all time
* Major League Baseball hitters with three home runs in one game
* List of Baltimore Orioles Opening Day Starting Lineups
* Florida Marlins all-time roster

References

External links

*baseballstats |mlb=132788 |espn=3820 |br=m/millake01 |fangraphs=529 |cube=M/kevin-millar
* [http://www.minorleaguenews.com/baseball/affiliated/aaa/international/redsox/articles2003/091003.html Minor League streak]