Kevin Millar, 2007 Topps #408

Last week, as major league teams finalized their 25-man rosters, one of the casualties was former Oriole Kevin Millar, who was beat out for a spot on the Cubs' bench by minor league journeyman (and ex-Baltimore farmhand) Andy Tracy. These things happen all the time in baseball, particularly when you're a doughy 38-year-old first baseman whose numbers have declined steadily for four years. But we don't often spend much time dwelling on the human element, on the fact that a guy like Millar is being confronted with his mortality and the end of a lifelong dream. Few players seem to enjoy themselves both on and off the field as much as Kevbo.

I guess it shouldn't have been surprising when he admitted that he broke down and cried while leaving the Cubs' spring training facility.

Millar said that he exited general manager Jim Hendry's office and spotted scout Gary Hughes, who signed him to his first professional contract with the independent St. Paul Saints in 1993. He shook Hughes' hand, embraced him, and cried like he hadn't in years. He acknowledged "the reality of, 'Wow, this could be it'".

It's unsurprising that Kev's already expressed a desire to remain in baseball in any capacity possible, be it front office or television or anything else. I've said since he parted ways with the O's at the end of 2008 that he would be a great guy to have around, if only you didn't have to worry about getting him on the field. I'd absolutely welcome him back with open arms as a coach. He's the sort of goober that could keep the team motivated and loose. Wherever he lands, I wish him all the best.

Kevin Millar, 2007 Topps Heritage #279

During a home stand last month, Orioles first baseman/Clubhouse Guy Kevin Millar suddenly appeared one night with a new bleached blond hair style. Even more curiously, as he strode to the plate for his first at-bat against the Astros, the PA system pumped out the funky cold rhythms of Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby". Rumor has it that Millar had made a bet with former Red Sox teammate Jason Varitek over the NBA Finals. Varitek's Celtics won, and the events of that late June home game represented Millar's fulfillment of the wager. Big Kev has denied that this is the true story, but he sure didn't offer a better explanation, so I'm going with it.

Much like Kevin Millar, I know when I've been beaten. Last month, I made a bet with Thorzul, a Brewers fan and fellow card blogger. The O's were in Milwaukee for a three-game interleague series. Regrettably, the Birds grooved a few too many fat ones to Prince Fielder and lost the last two games of the set after picking up a nail-biting Friday night win. A few days ago, I made good on the wager and guest posted on Thorzul's blog with five of my favorite Brewers cards from my private stash. Give it a read; it was actually a lot of fun to write about a different team for a change...

As long as it's not the Yankees or Red Sox.

Kevin Millar, 2008 Topps #68

I hope you'll forgive me a little giddiness over the Orioles' surprise five-game win streak that has put them, however briefly, into first place. Baltimore has rarely been at the top of the AL East at any point in the season since 1998, so I am determined to enjoy this. I think the players are too, especially my namesake Mr. Millar. I've become a huge Kevin Millar fan since he arrived in Baltimore before the 2006 season, as his sense of humor and strong clubhouse character have injected some much-needed life and levity for the O's. Already this season, he has done the following:

1. Mocked former teammate Ryan Dempster's guarantee of a Cubs World Series win by making the same guarantee and talking trash about Dempster's lack of talent.

2. Taken cheeseball Baltimore Sun sports columnist and Southern Cal alumnus Peter Schmuck to task for his pick of USC to win the NCAA Tournament (the Trojans were knocked out in the first round).

3. Thrilled the fans in Camden Yards by reprising his act from last Opening Day, when he imitated Ray Lewis' pregame dance.

4. Responded to questions about the fans' rough reception for Aubrey Huff by saying it was "hilarious", and claiming that he was booing Huff as well.

5. Celebrated yesterday's win by cranking up the hokey 1980's "Orioles Magic" theme song in the clubhouse, which led to several other players banging their hands on a wooden table to the catchy beat.

This is the perfect kind of team for Kevin Millar. It's a young team with rock-bottom expectations, a team that Millar and his partners and crime can instill with a loose, carefree attitude. The Orioles are winning right now because they don't believe that they're as bad as everyone insists they are; you might even say that they don't know any better.

Just don't call them Idiots.