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| (FenwayNation Photo) |
It's hard to believe it was ten years ago that
Kevin Millar affixed the "Cowboy Up" moniker on the 2003 Red Sox. While falling short of the ultimate goal, that squad carried something special into the next season that ultimately got the job done as the Millar-christened "Idiots". It's hard to name a more dynamic clubhouse presence before or since that had the exact panache of Millar (
possibly Jonny Gomes of the current "ZZBop" crowd). We will always remember Millar for that special at-bat against
Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the 9th of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS. Working a lead-off walk, Millar was pinch-run for by
Dave Roberts. Without that walk, who knows? I had a personal encounter with Millar just as he was starting his tenure with the Orioles in 2006. At his very first day of Spring Training in Fort Lauderdale, he was having promotional pictures taken by team officials. He somehow noticed a few stray Red Sox fans hanging around to get a glimpse of their 2004 hero. After about a half-hour, Millar trotted down the left field line and made a point of signing a ball for my then 10-year old son (see pic). As he handed the ball back, he noticed my son's Red Sox cap.
"Hey, buddy, don't you want me to sign the hat, too?". Beaming, my son handed him the hat, which he cherishes to this day. Happy B-Day, Kevin!
