Millar is ready in a pinch
ST. LOUIS -- They don't believe in the designated hitter over here in the National League, which is why Kevin Millar will be the designated sitter for tonight's Game 3 of the World Series.
But don't expect any ranting and raving from a guy who in his two years with Boston has played in 298 games, been to bat 1,052 times, and hit .286. It just isn't his style.
"That's all part of it right now, and I understand that situation," said Millar, who'll grab a spot on the bench while David Ortiz trades in his role of designated hitter to take over at first base. With Ortiz supplying so many offensive fireworks this postseason (three winning hits, two of them walkoff home runs, a .417 average, and 19 RBIs), it's a given that he must be in the lineup, particularly with righthander Jeff Suppan throwing for the Cardinals.
Not a soul is going to debate the move, least of all Millar.
"This is a time when you've got to check the egos," he said. "It's all about winning baseball games. I can move to the bench and make the bench a little deeper."
Millar has played in all 12 of Boston's postseason games thus far (three against the Angels, seven vs. the Yankees, and the first two with the Cardinals). He's hitting .250 with 10 hits, one of them a home run, and six RBIs. Hardly imposing numbers, but that's not why he'll be sitting. The Senior Circuit steadfastly has refused to go along with the DH, while the American League remains committed to having someone bat for the pitcher. So when World Series games are played in the NL park, the DH is forbidden.
"I'm going to be moving around, keeping the muscles loose," said Millar. "I'll go in the locker room and ride the bike, watch [scouting] videos. I just want to be ready.
"It's tough because you want to be a part of this club and help this team win. But there's going to be a point in the fifth, the sixth, or the seventh when I could have a chance to come up and help this team win also. That's part of the double switches, and maybe a lefty comes [to face] Trot [Nixon] and I go to right [field]. I think the flexibility that I'm able to bring will help us get deeper on the bench."
Millar went hitless in Game 2 Sunday night, but he was hit by a pitch and scored a run. The Red Sox had a late afternoon/early evening workout at Busch Stadium yesterday, and Millar -- he of the .297 average, 18 home runs, 74 RBIs, and 151 hits in the regular season -- said he thought he'd be talking to manager Terry Francona sometime during the practice.
He had heard whispers that he might start one of the games here, but he wasn't concerned about the situation. He said Ortiz deserved to be in the lineup and took exception at skeptics who predicted another night of defensive misery for Boston.
"You look up and there are eight errors," said Millar, a reference to the four Boston made in each of the first two games. "Errors are part of baseball, but realistically there were only two. The others were miscues, sort of strange plays. But we got out of [Fenway Park] with two wins and that's all that matters."
Millar also disagreed with those who say the Red Sox will be at a disadvantage because "National League ball" is expected to be the style of play. That means pitchers hitting, more bunting and pinch hitting, a greater emphasis on baserunning and moving players around.
"This American League team we have can compete in the National League," said Millar. "We have versatility."
Not to mention a 2-0 Series lead, which makes his spot on the bench easier to accept.
