I have always had a warm spot in my baseball heart for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The first game I ever went to was at the old Forbes Field. Doug Mientkiewicz is now with the Bucs. Quite coincidentally, I have voted for Jason Bay in the All Star Game balloting in the past three years.
So who is the new guy?
Jason Bay, is 29 years old and from British Columbia, Canada (nowhere near Toronto, as some would have had us believe the BJ’s were in the mix for his services.) He made his MLB debut in May of 2003. After 3 games with the Padres that year, he has spent the next 5 & 1/2 years with the Pirates. Since 2004, his 1st full season, and not including this season, he has averaged over 35 doubles, almost 100 RBI’s, and almost 30 HR’s per season, while averaging almost 150 games per season, including 159 games in 2006 and 162 games in 2005.
His line for this year: 106 games, 393 AB’s, 72 runs, 111 hits, 23 doubles, 64 RBI’s, and .282 for a BA.
His career fielding stats: .985 FPCT, 34 assists and only 21 errors. He is hitting .308 in his last 10 games with 3 HR’s and 10 RBI’s.
For comparison purposes, Manny’s line this year: 100 games, 365 AB’s, 66 runs, 109 hits, 22 doubles, 20 HR’s, 68 RBI’s, and .299 for a BA.
I think the Sox are going to do just fine with Jason Bay in left field. All that is needed is to keep the Boston media pit bulls at bay while he makes his adjustment to the Jr. Circuit. Let’s not forget that last year they were ready to hang JD Drew and look what he’s done since September of last year.
(Sorry, couldn’t resist the pun 🙂
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