Former Red Sox Mills enjoys time in spotlight

With Francona in the hospital, Mills manages in All-Star Game

MIAMI — Among the most unlikely All-Stars is a former 17th-round draft pick with one career home run.

Brad Mills won't swing a bat Tuesday night. But he will pinch-hit.

The Cleveland Indians bench coach will manage the American League team as a replacement for Indians manager Terry Francona, who is recovering from a procedure last week to correct an irregular heartbeat.

“Getting this responsibility is very humbling,” Mills said. “I'm thrilled to be here, but I definitely would love to have Terry sitting here in this chair.”

If not for Francona's health issue, Mills would have taken part in the game as a coach. Now he's responsible for running a 32-man team and getting most of the players into the game.

He had some help with the starting lineup from Francona, who paid Mills a visit before the Indians' game Sunday.

“When he came in the clubhouse he sat down, and the first thing he said to me is, ' OK, who's hitting second?'” Mills said. Both knew it was a given Jose Altuve of the Astros would lead off. Jose Ramirez of the Indians will bat second.

Despite contrasting personalities, Francona and Mills have been close since they were college teammates at Arizona in the 1970s. Mills serves as the straight man while Francona delivers punchlines.

Together they could perform “Who's on First?”

“Brad's the anti-Tito,” Indians All-Star reliever Andrew Miller said. “To watch them work together and see how different they are, and yet how much they do like each other, it's pretty special. I don't know if they could be more different.”

Francona and Mills hardly look at each other during games, their eyes fixed on the field as they shift the defense, analyze pitches and at-bats and plan moves.

Deciding the AL batting order was another result of their teamwork, Mills said.

“You really couldn't do wrong with putting them anybody anywhere in the lineup that we have,” he said. “It was more about this being a show, let these guys show what they can do. Up and down the lineup we can shuffle it, put anybody in there.”

Mills will be assisted by the rest of the Cleveland staff and by Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash, who previously worked for the Indians.