Millar’s chances of making Cubs improving

[Schwarber Fan]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0226-cubs-chicago-spring-training-20100225,0,5390838.story

MESA, Ariz. — Carlos Zambrano and Kevin Millar were practicing their secret post-home run handshake Thursday morning in the Fitch Park dugout, going through a series of gyrations that may be on display this season.

 

Like a couple choreographing their moves on "Dancing with the Stars," the two practiced it in stop-action motion a couple times, before ending it with a flourish that undoubtedly would win the ESPN seal of approval.

 

Of course, the only thing that would prevent the two from showcasing their routine is the small matter of Millar making the team.

 

Zambrano acts as though it's a done deal, and even conceded his own pinch-hitting days are probably over.

 

"We don't need that," he said. "We've got Millar now. He'll be on the team. He can help us a lot. He can play third, rest (Aramis) Ramirez, rest (Alfonso) Soriano and rest ( Derrek Lee)."

 

Oh boy

[Derwood]

Instead of giving him a roster spot, can't we just give him the same status as Pedro Martinez's midget? Clubhouse mascot!

[weis21]

I really hope he doesn't end up taking Tracy's roster spot (if he had one to begin with...) ](*,)

[Backtobanks]

I'd be more worried if Lou or Hendry said it instead of Zambrano. The last time I looked Carlos wasn't in charge of personnel.

[MWV]

From the above quoted article:

 

Piniella scotched the notion the Cubs would choose Millar for the last bench spot because of his clubhouse presence and not his abilities. He said Millar would get "every opportunity" to make the team this spring with his bat, not his quips.

 

To summarize substance of this piece: Kevin Millar is in camp. Carlos Zambrano likes Kevin Millar.

[SouthSideRyan]

Kevin Millar can play third about as well as I could. When I die.

[weis21]

lol

[biittner77]

Kevin Millar can play third about as well as I could. When I die.

 

That depends. Would you be buried where the 3rd nbaseman usually stands or would your body be lying in state in an open casket. If you're buried or your ashes are in an urn than I have to give a slight edge to Millar.

[Ryne Ween]

We are talking about an SI Male Athlete of the Year winner. Thats some serious hardware.

[Irrelevant Dude]

The Cubs need Kevin Millar about as bad as the Bulls need Lindsay Hunter.

 

The good news is the Bulls finally released Hunter today.

[Soul]

I don't think that Z & Millar practicing a handshake means that Millar's chances are improving.

[Cubbie Swagger]

The Cubs need Kevin Millar about as bad as the Bulls need Lindsay Hunter.

 

The good news is the Bulls finally released Hunter today.

Hey now, that's not nice. I feel bad for Hunter.

[Old Style]

http://dailyherald.com/story/?id=363135&src=152

 

Piniella can't even bring himself to utter the word "curse." Nevertheless, he acknowledges that the most championship-starved franchise in sports - 101 years and counting - could do worse than enlist the fun-loving Millar as a good-luck charm.

 

"It's important that a team stays loose," said Piniella, who blamed poor clubhouse chemistry for some of last season's problems. "When you've got a guy with a knack for saying the right things, for pulling the right pranks, for making everybody relax, it's valuable.

 

"In Chicago, the temperature rises and falls really quick, and a guy like Millar can deflect a lot of pressure. That's why he's here. We're going to give him every opportunity. Let's see if he's got enough gas left in the tank."

[jersey cubs fan]

http://dailyherald.com/story/?id=363135&src=152

 

Piniella can't even bring himself to utter the word "curse." Nevertheless, he acknowledges that the most championship-starved franchise in sports - 101 years and counting - could do worse than enlist the fun-loving Millar as a good-luck charm.

 

"It's important that a team stays loose," said Piniella, who blamed poor clubhouse chemistry for some of last season's problems. "When you've got a guy with a knack for saying the right things, for pulling the right pranks, for making everybody relax, it's valuable.

 

"In Chicago, the temperature rises and falls really quick, and a guy like Millar can deflect a lot of pressure. That's why he's here. We're going to give him every opportunity. Let's see if he's got enough gas left in the tank."

 

Got that is all kinds of stupid, and written by the AP.

[Tarver]

If this team finds itself falling out of contention, i hope Ricketts won't be gunshy about sacking this entire lot of dinosaurs.

 

I mean "good luck charm"?! Really? You know what would be better luck? Someone who can still make positive contributions on the field, where the [expletive] game is played.

[tfarks]

Well if the Cubs have a good season then bring him in for September.

[UMFan83]

The Cubs are a running joke of cliches. Need more left handed bats? Only if they replace better players to do so. Bad experience with a disgruntled teammate? Consider keeping an over the hill below mediocre player because he's a people person.

[Cubfanintheknow]

That Kevin Millar still has a chance to make the team just shows how incredibly deep and talented this team really is.

 

Man... I am PUMPED!

[Little Slide Rooter]

As of now, we have Millar, Tracy, Colvin, Fuld, and Hoffpauir battling it out for 1 or 2 spots, depending what happens with Fontenot and Blanco. I really dont like Millars chances. Ill say about Kevin what Ive said about Chad Fox the past few Springs, if they like him so much, offer him a minor league coaching job.

[davearm2]

 

Of course, the only thing that would prevent the two from showcasing their routine is the small matter of Millar making the team.

 

Well one of the two would have to hit a HR too. Zambrano probably will, at some point. Not sure about Millar.

[Guest]

http://dailyherald.com/story/?id=363135&src=152

 

Piniella can't even bring himself to utter the word "curse." Nevertheless, he acknowledges that the most championship-starved franchise in sports - 101 years and counting - could do worse than enlist the fun-loving Millar as a good-luck charm.

 

"It's important that a team stays loose," said Piniella, who blamed poor clubhouse chemistry for some of last season's problems. "When you've got a guy with a knack for saying the right things, for pulling the right pranks, for making everybody relax, it's valuable.

 

"In Chicago, the temperature rises and falls really quick, and a guy like Millar can deflect a lot of pressure. That's why he's here. We're going to give him every opportunity. Let's see if he's got enough gas left in the tank."

 

Got that is all kinds of stupid, and written by the AP.

 

Let us all spend the day counting with envy all of Doug Glanville's World Series rings. Actually, I think Glanville is more entertaining than Millar, and he might come cheaper. :good:

[sweetpeteman]

The Cubs need Kevin Millar about as bad as the Bulls need Lindsay Hunter.

 

The good news is the Bulls finally released Hunter today.

Hey now, that's not nice. I feel bad for Hunter.

 

 

 

So, the Cubs should hire Millar for player development, apparently.

[Brett]

http://dailyherald.com/story/?id=363135&src=152

 

Piniella can't even bring himself to utter the word "curse." Nevertheless, he acknowledges that the most championship-starved franchise in sports - 101 years and counting - could do worse than enlist the fun-loving Millar as a good-luck charm.

 

"It's important that a team stays loose," said Piniella, who blamed poor clubhouse chemistry for some of last season's problems. "When you've got a guy with a knack for saying the right things, for pulling the right pranks, for making everybody relax, it's valuable.

 

"In Chicago, the temperature rises and falls really quick, and a guy like Millar can deflect a lot of pressure. That's why he's here. We're going to give him every opportunity. Let's see if he's got enough gas left in the tank."

 

Got that is all kinds of stupid, and written by the AP.

 

Let us all spend the day counting with envy all of Doug Glanville's World Series rings. Actually, I think Glanville is more entertaining than Millar, and he might come cheaper. :good:

 

Isn't Glanville all religious now? Did I read that somewhere or dream it? In which case, I dream really bizarre stuff.

[Soul]

The Cubs need Kevin Millar about as bad as the Bulls need Lindsay Hunter.

 

The good news is the Bulls finally released Hunter today.

Hey now, that's not nice. I feel bad for Hunter.

 

 

 

So, the Cubs should hire Millar for player development, apparently.

 

Maybe they were planning to move him into middle relief all along.

[Old Style]

2 for 2 already today with a HR and a near miss HR that turned into a double.