Bay thrilled to be with Red Sox
Yes, he plays left field. Yes, he's a righthanded batter and yes, he is batting in the middle of the Red Sox order. But any comparisons to Manny Ramirez can end there, thank you very much.
Newcomer Jason Bay, acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates at Thursday's trade deadline, plans to carve out his own niche as he begins his Boston career tonight. Manager Terry Francona put Bay in the No. 5 spot in his debut against the Oakland A's, suiting up behind third baseman Mike Lowell.
"It's inevitable," said Bay at his introductory press conference tonight at Fenway, when asked about being sized up against Ramirez. "I know that. But I got traded to Pittsburgh for Brian Giles in essence and once again, it wasn't quite the grand scale of this one but it's something I can't control. I'm not going to be Manny Ramirez, I know that. I'm going to try to do what I can do. Kind of going through what I've gone through, I think I'm equipped to handle that. You've got to go out and play the game. I understand that that stuff is out there but that's beyond my control."
He said he received a warm welcome when he landed at Logan Airport, saying that "numerous" people tried to help him with his baggage.
"It was actually very, very ... overwhelming, really," he said. "It's going to be something I'll probably never forget, that's for sure. I can't wait. Everyone says the best fans in baseball are here and I can't wait to be a part of the home team."
He said it hasn't really sunk in that he's on a roster that is considered one of the top contenders for a championship.
"Pack a bag, get on a flight, get here, meet the entire team and an entire staff and then go out there and play a game and all of a sudden just have it click that you've been submersed in the middle of a pennant race and you have a chance to win a ring," said Bay. "I don't think it's going to resonate that quick. I think I might need a day or two to let it sink in. I fully intend to let it sink in."
Bay, who has a .282 batting average with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs in 106 games with the Pirates, is wearing No. 44. He said there weren't a whole lot of choices.
"It was slim pickings when it came down to the numbers," he said. "Eric Davis was a childhood idol of mine and he wore No. 44. so why not?"
Bay, a native of Trail, British Columbia whose father was a diehard Red Sox fan (Bay mentioned he still has a Red Sox onesie he wore as a child and also had Jim Rice and Carl Yastrzemski posters), said he found out he was dealt about a half hour after the 4 p.m. deadline, so instead of getting on a bus with his teammates to go to the airport for a trip to Chicago, he was told he was being rerouted here.
"It was pretty exciting," said Bay. "I just went home and packed my bag and got here at 1 o'clock."
For a while after the deadline passed, Bay thought he was staying put with the Pirates. There were a myriad of rumors but he didn't think they'd turn into anything because he hadn't heard anything concrete.
"My head was spinning," he said. "My name was everywhere and the deadline passed and I thought, 'All that and nothing.' All of a sudden, a half hour after the deadline, I get called into the office and they say, 'You've been traded.' If I was a free agent, I couldn't have picked a better place to go to, I don't think."
Bay has played against the Red Sox during the interleague portion of the schedule, saying when he came to town as a member of the Pirates there was one thing he remembered above all.
"It's actually stupid but I remember the stands singing, 'Sweet Caroline,' " he said. "I thought that was kind of neat, just the way everyone got into the game. The atmosphere, having not been a part of that, we had come from Yankee Stadium the series before that, the atmosphere was totally different. It was just like, 'Wow, I can do this.'"
Can you say the Anti-Manny?
Gracious, excited to be here, saying all of the right things...a true breath of fresh air!
Welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Somebody should remind Bay that Hank Aaron wore #44.
I think the Sox got the better deal for the future. I think the're set to win for the next 4 years
Good luck Jason. It beats the heck out of languishing in an organization like the Bucs with 15 straight losing seasons and no clue or idea how to field a competitive team. At least now your games have some significance.
Jason Bay will be a very welcomed addition. He seems level headed and on that score Manny is way behind the curve. If Bay plays his game as well as possible, acts for the teams interest and remembers that he does not have to single handedly carry the team, he'll be fine. The rest of the details have been published and beaten to death, I care only that Jason becomes a Red Sox player in the true tradition.
Loved the interview; love the player!
Here's hopin' that you flourish in Fenway Park...and the rest of the American League parks, as well!!
JB Nimbel -- I'm a Pirates fan, but with Boston in-laws and three years living in Cambridge, so I'm a long-time Sox sympathizer as well.
The Pirates have been clueless, but the new management team is doing a good job for now. We'll see if their moves work out in the next few years, but this was a good deal for the Pirates. Tough to make, but a good gamble on getting 4 players for 1.
Still, it was a good deal for the Red Sox too. You'll like Jason Bay a lot. He'll improve your defense and baserunning tremendously, and -- while he strikes out too much and is prone to slumps on occasion -- he is patient at the plate and can thump the ball too.
Go Massachusetts Bay, and Go Bucs too.
I am a Dodger fan, and I am an Angel fan. I live between both worlds, literally. I am sorry that the Dodgers got rid of such young, aspiring talent with Loney and Ethier who would have been great very, very soon. I know that Manny Ramirez carries baggage with him and acts like the world owes him a living. That trade move may prove fruitful to the Dodgers, but I want to wish both Loney and Ethier the very best and know that the Red Sox will do quite well with such aspiring talent. They also know JD, so they come to Boston not unknown.
GO ANGELS!!!
One other thing. McDonough just said on the telecast that Bay was producing, but in a lineup without much protection. Well believe it or not, the Pirates have scored two fewer runs this year than the big bad Red Sox (538-536, through 109 games for both teams). The Pirates also took 2 of 3 from the Yankees in interleague play.
The Pirates have been inept for a decade and a half now to be sure, but all this talk of them as though they are some Double A team is pretty silly. Bay is a major leaguer and will do well in Boston.
After listening to his interview and reading up about him...great choice....i don't think they could have brought in anyone better....I think he will do fantastic with a great future at boston!!
Aw, I was so depressed when my favorite player from my favorite team got traded to the DODGERS, one of the few baseball conglomerates for gods sake, but this guy looks eager to fill his shoes, so I'll give him a chance.
Welcome...
It appears from your commentary about your Dad's Red Sox ties that you were destined to play in a Red Sox uniform!! Save that "onesie" for your first born!! I can only speak from fans in Newport, RI, that we are so relieved that there is a new face attacking that green monster in the outfield, and we welcome you to Red Sox Nation with open arms!!!
Have fun!
The Pirate ownership doesn't field teams to win games, they do it to make money and I believe they've managed to turn a pretty good profit each and every losing season they've put up.
The teams haven't been near contenders but the owners are fat and happy. Funny thing is, the fans keep showing up at the ballpark.
Good luck Mr. Bay...
This kid has some class to him. How can you not root for him?
Wait 'til he bats about .220, then we'll see how Sox fans really feel.
As a Red Sox fan for years, I hope he sucks and burns Epstein. Do any of you fair weather fans even know who Epstein is?? I doubt it. I would rather stick with a team that stands behind its players then one who shops out someones position and plays stupid as if they dont know why their players are moody. What kind of message are we sending to our future leaders? Screw the players as long as we win and get royalties on our clothing line. Now dont ask "why", when this happens to you on the job. Too many Rex Sox fans have gone from fans to "I hate that guy because he makes a lots of money." . Unlike half you dopes I lived in Boston and a lot of these players have a good attitude off the field. That changes on the field when Theo starts shopping you out. Yet if you do the same, your a "cancer"
Jason Bay went from the proverbial Outhouse to the Penthouse in one day.
He hit the Baseball Lottery! He is a stand up, classy ball player. Boston, he won't hit like Manny, but he will be a hard nosed player EVERY game. He's not a star, but he is a very good left fielder. I hope he can finish out his career with a winner, after suffering here in Pittsburgh with the rest of us! Go Sox...I've been a fan since '75 and my in-laws are from NYC, and I HATE THE YANKEES
Red Sox Nation is alive and well in the 'Burg
Good luck with Bay -- He hits homeruns when you don't need them and strikes out when you need a hit. I think the Pirates made out in this deal
Welcome to the Rivalry, Jason Bay! We can't wait until you help shut the Yankees fans' big mouths since they think you are a poor replacement for the junk that just left town. Good luck!
Is it just me, or does Mr. Bay remind you a lot of Mr.Bledsoe, in the best sense.
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