Millar Update
Kevin Millar called me today, and answered some questions I had regarding his participation in the pre-game ceremonies at Fenway Park in Boston prior to Game 7 of the ALCS.
First of all, Millar is taken aback by the negative reaction he’s gotten by what he considers an innocent and fun ceremony. One thing he wants Orioles fans to know: his participation has nothing to do with backing the Red Sox, and everything to do with promoting the game of baseball. He also pointed out that the Red Sox invited him not to celebrate the 2004 World Series, but to remember the Game 7 comeback against the Yankees in the ALCS that year. Millar drew a walk, Dave Roberts pinch-ran and stole second base, and Bill Mueller drove in Roberts. Millar, Roberts and Mueller were all invited to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. So, the argument about current Yankees and former Red Sox Johnny Damon and Doug Mientkiewicz is moot in this case.
Millar is adamant that I point out to O’s fans that he considers himself a proud Oriole, first and foremost. That he did not seek to participate, but was asked by the Red Sox after they spoke with O’s management for permission. He says he conferred with O’s president Andy MacPhail and asked, “Are you sure this is okay?” And there was no hesitation on the O’s part, and subsequently Millar’s, that his participation in the Boston ceremony was alright.
Millar points out that Mike Flanagan, while still a member of the Orioles, threw out a first pitch for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1991 postseason. Not a big deal, he contends.
Millar told me that he sat in the stands and ate a hotdog and enjoyed the game in Boston. He is, as I’ve often pointed out, a baseball FAN. For that, I give Millar a pass on this. Personally, I would stay away from blurring the lines of competition by participating in another team’s ceremony while I’m a paid member of another organization. That’s just me, and I can see why O’s fans don’t like it. But knowing Millar, and hearing his explanation- I can put this entire scenario into the category of “no big deal
Posted on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007 at 9:34 am.Categories: Opinion.
Track comments to this post: RSS 2.0.
POST A COMMENT | TRACKBACK
The Ravens need a new head coach. Billick ’s time has passed and there’s nothing else he can do for this organization. Steve Biscotti should cut his losses now before the team becomes less valuable. Offensively Billick been a bust at best and too smart for his own good. What is he going to talk about now that the injuries are suppose to have pass this team. The structure of the team profile, how prudent something is. The Ravens will be horrible until he leaves.
November 5th, 2007 at 9:44 pm