Kevin Millar
From BR Bullpen
Kevin Charles Millar
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 210 lb.
- School Lamar University
- Debut April 11, 1998
- Born September 24, 1971 in Los Angeles, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Kevin Millar is an above-average hitter with moderate power who has played nine seasons in the major leagues, mostly at first base and in the outfield.
Born in Los Angeles, CA, he went to University High School in Los Angeles, attended Los Angeles City College and Lamar University. Lamar retired his jersey, and fans can buy a Kevin Millar Lamar #15 jersey at Lamar's website.
The nephew of Wayne Nordhagen, Kevin Millar got his start in professional baseball when he played for the St. Paul Saints of the independent Northern League in 1993 after failing to be selected in the 1993 amateur draft.
He signed as a free agent with the Florida Marlins in 1993, when they were a brand new team. Although he hit quite well, and with power, in the minors, he didn't reach the majors till 1998. He was an All Star in the Midwest League in 1994, and he was the MVP in the Eastern League in 1997. He was a replacement player in 1994, during the strike.
He only played two games in the Major leagues in 1998, as he was injured in the second game he played. He spent a month in Calgary in 1999 before coming up for good to the majors. His best year was 2001 with the Marlins when he slugged .557.
He was about to go to Japan in 2003 until the Boston Red Sox claimed him. A controversy ensued, and Millar stayed in the USA.
A member of the 2004 World Series champion Red Sox team, he batted 5th in the first Series game, 6th in the second game, and then pinch-hit in the two games in St. Louis.
When Millar left the Red Sox after the 2005 season, a reporter for the Boston Globe commented: "regardless of what you might have thought of him as a player, a lot of the fun just seeped out of the Red Sox clubhouse."
In 2006, he played first base and DH for the Baltimore Orioles, and hit .272 in 132 games after a slow start. He was mentioned in trade rumors prior to the trading deadline that season, but returned to Baltimore in 2007.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1997 MVP Eastern League Portland Sea Dogs
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 3 (2001, 2003 & 2008)
- Won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2004
[edit] Related Sites
- A lengthy description of Millar's contacts with the Japanese team appears here: [1]
