FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Leadership is a word often associated with Kevin Millar, an outgoing and popular figure in the clubhouse during his seven seasons in the big leagues.
Here's another word that describes the newcomer to the Baltimore Orioles: versatile.
Millar started at three different spots in his first three spring training games with the Orioles. He was a designated hitter in the opener, played first base on Friday and then manned left field Saturday in a 6-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"I love it. I've done it my whole career," Millar said. "I enjoy giving the flexibility to the manager. But the main place you want to play is in the batter's box. I want to hit, I want to go to the plate. It doesn't matter if I'm at DH, first, left, right, or third base."
Millar hit .272 with a .355 on-base percentage for the Boston Red Sox last season. Although those numbers were both the second lowest of his career, his OBP would have ranked second on the Orioles.
Upon becoming a free agent during the offseason, he shopped around before deciding to sign a one-year contract with Baltimore. There were other offers, but Millar believed he would receive the most playing time with the Orioles.
"That was a big reason, obviously, with the outfield situation, first base, spot-DH, all of those three positions I played with the Red Sox," he said. "I played a lot more right field with the Red Sox, but the outfield is outfield. Switching positions never bothered me."
Millar often played third base for his first team, the Florida Marlins. He doesn't see much time there anymore, but wouldn't mind filling in when Melvin Mora needs a day off.
"Playing the outfield, I enjoy it, but if you would ask me my favorite position I'd say third base. First base is probably where I'm most comfortable," he said. "But the outfield, because it's speed and arm strength, over the long haul that probably could hurt a team defensively. But you definitely can mix me out there a couple days here, a couple days there."
Manager Sam Perlozzo intends to do just that.
"I don't think Kevin has ever been a whiz at a position, but he works hard at it. You know he's not going to be caught off guard on anything," Perlozzo said. "He's going to be thinking about everything. ... He's obviously not as fast as some people, and not as good hands (as others), but he'll give you everything he's got."
Since arrival, Millar has been spreading cheer with a smile, a quip or a slap in the back. It's as if he doesn't consider a job — which is exactly the case.
"We have a lot of fun in the infield. I think sometimes that we forget this is a baseball game," he said. "You're allowed to smile, you're allowed to have fun. You don't have to be too cool out there. It's baseball."