Kevin Millar


Kevin Charles Millar is an American former professional baseball first baseman and outfielder who played in Major League Baseball and current analyst for MLB Network. He played in MLB for the Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and Toronto Blue Jays from 1998 through 2009. He is currently a host along with Chris Rose on the MLB Network show Intentional Talk, and the show's companion audio podcast "Intentional Talk: Caught Listening".

Early life

Millar was born in Los Angeles. He attended and played baseball for University High School in West Los Angeles, which won the 3-A City title in 1988 under coach Frank Cruz, during his junior year. He graduated from Hart High School in Santa Clarita, California. He attended and played college baseball for Los Angeles City College and later Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Under the tutelage of Coach Jim Gilligan, Millar and the Cardinals prospered. For two seasons, Millar was a key part of Lamar's return to prominence in collegiate baseball. In 1992, Lamar went 32–21, posting the NCAA’s biggest turnaround with a 14-victory improvement over the 1991 season. Millar led the Cardinals that season in runs, hits, home runs and runs batted in, and he earned All-Sun Belt Conference honors. After the 1992 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
The next season, Millar helped lead the Cardinals to a 44–18 record, to the SBC regular-season and tournament championships, and also to a berth in the NCAA’s Central I Regional on the campus of Texas A&M in College Station. Lamar would be quickly eliminated in two games, with a 6-1 loss against UCLA, followed by a 10-5 finish against Texas A&M.

Professional career

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 1994–95 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.

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. 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 from 1998 to 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 Red Sox paid a similar sum to the Marlins in return for Millar. His clubhouse presence and offensive production helped spark the Red Sox to the 2003 American League Championship Series and the 2004 World Series.
During the 2003 playoffs, Millar began using the phrase "Cowboy Up", and in 2004 referred to his team as "idiots" to keep teammates loose during the stretch run to the World Series Championship.
Millar had a lead-off walk in the 9th inning of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees, which, along with Dave Roberts' steal of 2nd base that inning, and RBI single by Bill Mueller proved to be the turning point in the series. Prior to the game, Millar was caught on camera numerous times telling reporters and his teammates "Don't let the Sox win tonight", in reference to Game 4 and in reference to the fact that Pedro Martínez and Curt Schilling were scheduled as the starting pitchers Games 5 and 6, respectively.
On April 20, 2012, Millar, together with Pedro Martínez gave a toast to Fenway Park on the 100th anniversary of the ballpark. Millar and Martinez stood on top of the home dugout and gave a toast that was the largest in history, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Baltimore Orioles (2006–2008)

Millar signed with the Baltimore Orioles on January 12, 2006 as a free agent. During the season, he broke Rey Ordóñez's record for most games played by any non-drafted player who started his career in the Independent Leagues during the Draft era.
Initially in Baltimore, he was not an everyday player. However, when Dave Trembley took 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 Orioles. On August 26, 2007 Millar's streak came to an end at 52 games. It was the 7th longest streak since 1957.
for Game 7 of the 2007 American League Championship Series

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.
After Alex Ríos was claimed off waivers, Millar switched his number from #30 to his former #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.

First retirement

Millar announced his retirement on April 21, 2010, though on April 27 on MLB Network Radio with Jim Duquette and Kevin Kennedy, he stated it was not official as he still wanted to play. Millar joined MLB Network as a studio analyst. On May 20, 2010, Millar also joined New England Sports Network as a pre-game and post-game analyst. On May 22, Millar made his debut for Fox Sports and its MLB on Fox Saturday telecasts. He served as a pre-game, game break, and post-game analyst for its primetime games in the studio, as well as a fill-in color analyst for select games during the season.

Return to baseball (St. Paul Saints)

On May 5, 2010, Millar returned to baseball when he signed a contract with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association, the same team with whom he started his career. His contract language also allowed him to leave the team to carry out his broadcasting duties. He played six games for the Saints in 2010, and hit.208 with no home runs and two RBIs.
On June 24, 2017, Millar was allowed a single at-bat for the Saints in a regular season game versus the Winnipeg Goldeyes, as part of a promotional night celebrating the Saints' 25th anniversary. Facing his first live pitching in seven years, Millar hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning; the Saints went on to win the game, 8–6.

Podcasting

In 2018, Millar and Chris Rose began co-hosting the audio podcast "Intentional Talk: Caught Listening", produced by MLB Network.

Awards

After the 2001 season, Millar was awarded the Charlie Hough Good Guy Award by the Florida chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
After the 2003 season, Millar was awarded the Jackie Jensen Award, which is presented each year by the Boston chapter of the BBWAA. The award is presented to the player who best exemplifies the spirit and desire of Jackie Jensen, the former Red Sox outfielder.

Movie and television appearances

Millar made an appearance in the movie Fever Pitch in which he walked and was lifted for a pinch runner.
Millar co-hosts the MLB Network show Intentional Talk with Chris Rose. He repeatedly uses the phrase "Got heeem" which has become a signature part of "Intentional Talk".

Personal life

Millar is married and has four young children. Millar currently makes his residence in Austin, Texas.
Millar is the nephew of former major league outfielder Wayne Nordhagen.