US of Bay
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.
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He may be slumping at the plate, but he has made some nice defensive plays
recently.
Nice. He was Canadian yesterday for Canada Day, and now he'll be American in time for Independence Day!
see if Big Papi will loan him some of his eye drops...!
He is also a class act off the field. A stark contrast to his predecessor.
He is also a class act off the field. A stark contrast to his predecessor.
Maybe he should consider the Red Sox generous offer before his batting average falls below Papi's and Varitek's. He is trending so poorly that it's scary. He is not in a league with Youkilis and shouldn't be paid much more than $10 million/year.
I didn't know you could become a citizen through naturalization, but retain your foreign citizenship.
I wonder how many Americans can pass the Canadian citizenship exam...LOL
Congrats, eh?
is there some tax advantage? can't imagine his Canadian compatriots are too happy about it
maybe this allows him to live in the states after his career without worrying about green cards
maybe he'll start hitting like an American instead of a Canadian... .262 BA... 2 for his last 30....5 k's yesterday...ouch
Say it ain't so Jason. Don't think it's a coincidence that you wore the platinum sombrero the day before you decided to join company with W and Manny. Remember Canadian tennis phenom Greg Rusedski who became a Brit and was never heard from again.
The advantage is traveling, now when he enters the US he can get in the US Citizens line and not the loooooooong other line!
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