Kevin Millar and Cubs Closing in on Deal
Veteran Will Try and Earn a Spot on the Cubs' Bench
Millar is probably best remembered for his time with the Boston Red Sox where he was a member of "The Idiots" team that won a World Series title in 2004. Millar had his best year in 2003 while with the Red Sox when he slugged 25 homers and drove in 96 runs while hitting .276. Millar spent last season in Toronto where he slumped to a .223 average while hitting only 7 homeruns in 78 games for the Blue Jays. Millar is a lifetime .274 hitter and has clubbed 170 career homers.
Millar could help bolster a Cubs bench that was severely lacking in 2009. The Cubs have already signed Xavier Nady and Chad Tracy in an effort to bring in important role and back-up players. Millar who is known for a quirky sense of humor could fit in nicely with the team, and could also be a welcome relief to a team wrought with distractions last seasons. He could also provide veteran leadership and does bring postseason experience.
When asked by ESPN.com senior writer, Jerry Crasnick, about the signing, Crasnick quoted Millar as saying, "It's been a very slow market as you have seen this offseason, but things have worked out. I'm excited to have a chance to compete for a spot with the Cubbies. I have a lot of buddies on that team."
If Millar does sign with the Cubs this will be his fifth Major League team. He also spent time with Boston, Baltimore, Toronto, and the Florida Marlins where he was a teammate of current Cubs' first baseman, Derek Lee.
Chicago Cubs' fans may also remember Kevin Millar's and Ryan Dempster's friendly verbal sparring in the spring of 2008 as both men predicted their respective teams would win the World Series. Millar was with Baltimore at the time, and also commented that he would hit a homerun off Dempster.
mlb.com, mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp, Stats Summary
Jerry Crasnick, sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story, "Millar to vie for place on Cubs' bench"
Published by Shawn Oetzel
I am a writer and sports fan, especially Chicago sports. My debut fiction novel, DYING MOON, was published in May 2009. Short stories, articles and reviews of mine have appeared in a number of online and pri... View profile
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- Millar was a member of "The Idiots" team that won a World Series title in 2004
- Millar could help bolster a Cubs bench that was severely lacking in 2009
- could also be a welcome relief to a team wrought with distractions last seasons
3 Comments
Post a CommentI hope so. The Cubs could use some fun in the sun this season after the Milton Bradley debacle.
sunny is right. Kevin Millar is a great guy to have. His skills are declining but he will keep his teammates loose and fans will appreciate him. He makes baseball more enjoyable for all.
Kevin Millar is a great guy to have on a team. He is not the best offensive or defensive player, but he is decent. Where he shines is in the clubhouse and on the bench. He keeps his teammates happy and brings a lot of humor to what can be a long and stressful season.He always gives 100 percent and plays hard.