BOSTON (AP) – Kevin Millar took a long, winding route to the World Series – through cold Calgary and hot Florida while barely avoiding a side trip to Japan.

No wonder Boston’s first baseman was smiling before Saturday night’s opening game against the St. Louis Cardinals before a full house at Fenway Park.

“It’s crazy how everything works out in life. Florida won the World Series last year. I almost go to Japan,” Millar said. “You chase your dreams. You never know what’s going to happen.”

Undrafted after attending Lamar University, he played for St. Paul of the independent Northern League in 1993. He reached the majors with the Marlins in 1998. After the 2002 season, he signed to play in Japan then got out of the deal after being pursued by the Red Sox.

Boston made it to the AL championship series last year where it lost to the New York Yankees in seven games. But last Wednesday night, the Red Sox beat the Yankees in Game 7 of this year’s ALCS.

Now Millar has a chance to help the Red Sox win their first championship since 1918.

“Last year you’re a little giddy because it’s your first rodeo,” he said. “We’re not going to change this year and get uptight.”

And he’s not going to worry about plans to replace him at first base with designated hitter David Ortiz for the third, fourth and fifth games at St. Louis where no DH will be used.

Millar could be used in right field, as a pinch hitter or as a late-inning replacement at first.

“I know this makes our team better,” Millar said. “If they were going to put Ramiro Mendoza at first, I’d be in the office” to complain to manager Terry Francona.

Mendoza is a relief pitcher who played in the ALCS but was replaced on the World Series roster by third baseman Kevin Youkilis.

Ortiz hit his fifth homer of the postseason in the first Saturday, a three-run shot off Woody Williams in a four-run inning. He started 32 games at first base this season.

“It’s a disadvantage. We’re not playing with our team” without a DH, Francona said. “But that’s the way it is. You do the best you can.”

Millar’s attitude in stepping aside for Ortiz is typical of the team.

“You go into that clubhouse and look at any player and know he’s more concerned about the other 24 players than himself,” general manager Theo Epstein said.

After struggling for the first half of the season, Millar finished at .297 with 18 homers, and 74 RBIs in 150 games. And, on a cold night, he doubled in the first inning Saturday, moved up on a fly ball and scored on Bill Mueller’s single for a 4-0 lead.

“I’ve always liked the cold,” said Millar, who played in the minors in chilly Calgary, Canada and Portland, Maine. In Calgary, he said, “we played in snow and sleet. That’s probably the coldest place on earth.”

But on Saturday night, after two days of rest following Boston’s ALCS clinching victory, Millar was a long way from Calgary, Florida and Japan.

“You never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “From not being drafted to playing in the Northern League to playing first base with the Red Sox. It’s kind of crazy.”