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US of Bay

Print | Comments () Posted by Chris Forsberg, Boston.com Staff July 2, 2009 11:05 AM

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Just in time for the nation's birthday, Red Sox outfielder Jason Bay will be sworn in as a US citizen this morning near Faneuil Hall.

The 30-year-old Bay, a native of Trail, British Columbia, aced his 10-question citizen's test last week at the John F. Kennedy Federal Building. He is expected to elect dual citizenship with his native Canada.

"I figure I might as well (receive citizenship) since [the United States] is where I'll be working for probably the rest of my career," Bay told WEEI.com last week while the Sox were in D.C. to play the Nationals. "It's just a natural progression."

On the field, it's been a rough week for Bay. He's in the midst of his worst slump with the Red Sox, going 2 for his last 30 with 14 strikeouts over the past seven games, highlighted by yesterday's struggles (0 for 5, 5 strikeouts) in Boston's extra-inning win over the Orioles.

For the season, Bay is hitting .262 with 19 home runs and 69 RBIs. At the beginning of the week, he remained the top vote-getting American League outfielder for this year's All-Star game.

Just last year, fellow Red Sox slugger David Ortiz received his U.S. citizenship.