Jason Bay

Jason Raymond Bay (born September 20, 1978 in Trail, British Columbia, Canada) is a Major League Baseball left fielder who plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He bats and throws right-handed.

Related Topics:
September 20 - 1978 - Trail, British Columbia - Canada - Major League Baseball - Left fielder - Pittsburgh Pirates

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Bay was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 22nd round of the 2000 draft from Gonzaga University, and debuted with the San Diego Padres on May 23, 2003. Two days later he suffered a broken right wrist after a hit by pitch. Once healed, he was traded to the Pirates in August as part of a deal for Brian Giles. He finished the season with a .287 batting average, four home runs, and 14 runs batted in in 30 games.

Related Topics:
Montreal Expos - Gonzaga University - San Diego Padres - 2003 - Hit by pitch - Brian Giles - Batting average - Home run - Runs batted in

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Bay began the 2004 season on the disabled list due to surgery during the offseason, and did not join the team until May. Despite missing the beginning of the season, he still produced the best offensive numbers of any National League rookie. He hit .282 in 120 games, leading all major league rookies in home runs (26) and RBI (82). He also led the NL rookies in slugging percentage (.550), extra base hits (54) and total bases (226). With his 26 home runs, Bay broke a Pirates rookies record of 23 set by Johnny Rizo in 1936 and matched by Ralph Kiner in 1946.

Related Topics:
2004 - National League - Slugging percentage - Extra base hit - Total bases - Johnny Rizo - 1936 - Ralph Kiner - 1946

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Selected the NL rookie of the year by The Sporting News, Bay was the third Pittsburgh player honored with the award, behind second baseman Johnny Ray (1982) and catcher Jason Kendall. On November 8, 2004, he received the Rookie of the Year Award recognized by the BBWAA. The Pirates, whose rookies have included Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell and Barry Bonds, had been the only pre-expansion club without a Rookie of the Year winner. They've previously had four players finish second: first baseman Donn Clendenon (1962), Johnny Ray (1982), pitcher Mike Dunne (1987) and outfielder-first baseman Orlando Merced (1991). Bay was also the first Canadian player to win the award.

Related Topics:
The Sporting News - Second baseman - Johnny Ray - Catcher - Jason Kendall - Rookie of the Year Award - BBWAA - Roberto Clemente - Willie Stargell - Barry Bonds - First baseman - Donn Clendenon - Pitcher - Mike Dunne - Outfielder - Orlando Merced - Canadian player

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In 2005, Bay made it to his first Major League Baseball All-Star Game as a reserve outfielder. He was the only player on either roster not to appear in the game at all. Bay also appeared in the 2005 Century 21 Home Run Derby, representing Canada in the nationality-themed contest; he was eliminated in the first round after hitting no home runs. Bay finished the season with a .306 average, 32 home runs, and 101 RBI, and led the Pirates in every major hitting category.

Related Topics:
Major League Baseball All-Star Game - Home Run Derby

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At the end of the 2005 season, Jason Bay was a career .295 hitter with 62 home runs and 197 RBI in 312 games over three major league seasons.

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