The baseball player who broke an unwritten rule to join the Red Sox
In short: In 2003, a bizarre transaction occurred that defied standard league logic. When Kevin Millar tried to sign with a Japanese team, the Boston Red Sox blocked the deal by claiming him on waivers—forcing MLB to broker an unprecedented repayment deal just to get him into their clubhouse.
Kevin Millar’s journey to the 2004 World Series is defined by one of the most unusual transactions in modern baseball history. Following his tenure with the Florida Marlins, Millar joined Japan's Central League team, the Chunichi Dragons, on a $5.2 million deal spanning two years starting in early 2003. However, the Red Sox intervened, breaking an unwritten rule by blocking the deal via a waiver claim. MLB facilitated a unique settlement to end the stalemate: the Marlins reimbursed the Dragons for their initial payment of Millar, while the Red Sox provided an equivalent amount to the Marlins to secure his rights.
Once in Boston, Millar became a cultural fixture. He was known for his clubhouse presence, famously using the phrase "Cowboy Up" and calling teammates "idiots" to maintain morale during high-pressure moments. He made a clear difference, assisting the Red Sox as they advanced toward both the 2004 World Series and the 2003 American League Championship Series. His ninth-inning lead-off walk during Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS is frequently remembered as a crucial moment for that specific series.
Millar’s career was also marked by endurance and longevity. He once set a minor league record for consecutive games reaching base with 71 (a mark tied in 2003). In his later years, he transitioned into broadcasting while occasionally returning to the diamond; in 2017, he hit a two-run home run in his first live pitching appearance in seven years. Today, he remains a prominent analyst for MLB Network and NESN.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Kevin Millar
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