Have you ever kissed your favorite ex-girlfriend in front of your wife? No man in his right mind? unless he has an extraordinarily permissive spouse ? would dare do it. But Kevin Millar did just that Sunday night when he took the mound before Game 7 of the American League Championship Series and threw out the first pitch at Fenway Park in Boston.
Just a few days before, he was in a nationally televised taped appearance before Game 5, imploring the Red Sox and their fans to “Cowboy Up!”
If you?re an outsider of baseball, you?d think this was a player who retired after the Red Sox won the World Series three years ago and returned to offer inspiration to a team down three-games-to-one in the ALCS.
But, he?s not. He plays for Boston?s AL East rival (read doormat in some corners), the Orioles, for the past two years. Lucky for him, the Orioles are playing the cool wife while he makes out with the far sexier ex, the one he won the Word Series title with in 2004.
A year later, Boston dumped him.
The sad thing is this: The Orioles, particularly Andy MacPhail, the team?s president of Baseball Operations, signed off on this debacle. While the Orioles, Red Sox and Millar are having swingers? parties in New England, Baltimore baseball fans are the red-headed stepchildren sitting at home watching mom and dad?s immoral mess unfurl.
Millar?s going to get a free pass from many in the local media simply because he understands what we do. He’s a quote machine in an Orioles? clubhouse filled with players lacking personality. While other players create excuses for not talking to local reporters, he welcomes anybody with a question and gives the type of material they dream about. He?s a an affable guy who gives maximum effort on the field.
Even Red Sox manager Terry Francona seemed mystified, saying: “This is another one of those things where he can pull it off. He?s a member of the Baltimore Orioles, he?s going to be spurring on the Red Sox and nobody is going to say a word. He?ll probably bring the house down. I love it, but I don’t get it. It?s Millar. It?s hilarious.”
No, it isn?t. It?s a slap in Baltimore?s face, regardless of intent. A red mark left on the cheek is still a red mark.
Baltimore fans won?t forgive him, either. There are two qualities about the people of this town that are unmistakable: They have long memories and hold even longer grudges. The fact the Orioles and Millar thought this was OK shows you how little they know the market.
It might seem, based on the empty stands at Camden Yards throughout the past few years, Orioles fans don?t exist anymore. But that assumption is wrong. Anyone who saw the Black and Orange love that flowed in Cooperstown this past summer at Cal Ripken?s induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame knows the passion this city has for the Orioles.
People love this team, but hate what it has become.
Millar might be intending on coming back to Charm City next April, but don?t expect Baltimore to show him any love when he?s introduced on Opening Day. It?s time for a divorce before this whole sordid affair gets ugly.
Matt Palmer is a staff writer for The Examiner who regularly writes columns about Major League Baseball. He can be reached at [email protected].
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