I missed the game last night, for the second time of the year. However everyone is talking about Kevin Millar's heroic home run in the bottom of the ninth.

I have been admittedly harsh when discussing Millar. I thought of him as a defensive liability and an average bat. While both of these statements are true, I found myself defending him over the weekend.

Millar is a lot like my brother. He's always there with a quick, witty phrase to take the pressure off a situation; he comes up big when one needs him the most; although he may make a few mistakes over the course of the year, one can not measure the value he brings to the family, yes, I mean family.

Millar is not the best first baseman or outfielder for that matter. He has made a few errors and fielding mistakes. He isn't a powerful bat (only 104 HRs and 400 RBIs). I would dare say he doesn't offer much protection for David Ortiz, especially batting .257 this year. But he is perhaps the best clubhouse brother.

Without Millar, the Red Sox would not have the success they have had over the last two years. Strange? Not really.

Let's go back to 2003. The Red Sox were struggling they were back some 10 games behind the Yankees, fighting with the Oakland A's or was it the Angels. It's hard to say all three teams were in the thick of it. Then someone got a hold of that videotape of Millar dancing to "Born in the USA." Embarassingly funny stuff.

His willingness to be the butt of the joke, eased the tension.

E-mail this entry to a friend