Up Close With PSR
Jason Bay

2004 was a history making season for Pittsburgh Pirates’ outfielder Jason Bay.

The 26-year-old left fielder became the first Pirates’ player to win the Jackie Robinson National League Rookie of the Year award since its inception in 1947.

The Trail, B.C., native also became the first Canadian to win Rookie of the Year, voted on the by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, in either league.

The Pirates have had four ROY runners-up: Donn Clendenon finished second to Ken Hubbs in 1962, Johnny Ray finished second to Steve Sax in 1982, Mike Dunne finished second to Benito Santiago in 1987 and Orlando Merced finished second to Jeff Bagwell in 1991.

PSR’s George Von Benko got up close with Bay recently.

PSR: Is the Rookie of the Year honor sinking in?

JB: Yeah, it’s been a lot different with me being in Seattle. When it happened I just did all the interviews. Now it’s quieted down. This is the first time I’ve been back since it happened and I’ve kind of taken note of the places I’ve visited and the people I met. I signed some autographs and stuff like that, seeing what the Pirates have done, it really brings it to light, what I’ve accomplished.

PSR: Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger won the NFL Rookie of the Year honor, and it is only the eighth time since the NFL started handing out its rookie award in 1955 that the rookie of the year in the two major sports, baseball and football, have played in the same city in the same season. You met Roethlisberger, what do you think about the two of you winning the Rookie of the Year awards?

JB: I’m actually surprised at how many times it has happened, being that a lot of them were from a long time ago and I wasn’t even aware of them. I thought maybe it had never happened. It’s definitely better for the Pirates, Steelers, and the city of Pittsburgh. The fans are definitely looking for some positives and I think this is really good for the city of Pittsburgh.

PSR: You missed the first five weeks of the season while recovering from shoulder surgery. Were you surprised when the vote came in and you won the honor?

JB: I felt pretty good. I didn’t finish up as strong as I would like. I had some good RBI totals in September, but the average fell and the last week I was crashing hard. I was happy with the overall season especially with how it started out with me being hurt and struggling the first month. I probably, from that point on, couldn’t have scripted it any better.

PSR: Do you like what’s gone on with the team in the off-season?

JB: I really do. I think we’re getting to a point now where Dave (Littlefield) is finally getting to what he wants to do. Losing Jason (Kendall) was definitely huge but when you have a $30-35 million payroll and one making a third of that, it’s very tough. I think that with the return we got for him, two guys, in essence, after we traded (Damian) Rhodes and got (Matt) Lawton, that’s probably going to make us a better team.

PSR: Do you feel any pressure to deliver an encore in 2005?

JB: The only pressure I have is the pressure I put on myself. I went from a relative unknown to Rookie of the Year. I think I felt more pressure last year than I do going into this season. I proved myself at the major league level, and now I have a lot of confidence going into this season.

PSR: Are you excited about the core of players returning to the Pirates?

JB: I think Lloyd McClendon made the comment to someone at the end of the season that this is probably the first year since he’s been here that he’s going to spring training with more-or-less a lineup rather than trying to fill some holes. He’s got more-or-less what he wants to see and that’s exciting.

PSR: Do you view yourself as a leader on the team?

JB: I definitely like that role. Building on the success I’ve had, further improving; that’s what I want to do. It will be difficult for me this year because I’m not an unknown. So, this season definitely will be another learning experience. I’ve bounced around. Traded here and traded there to Pittsburgh and it’s finally nice to have somewhere where I can hopefully call home. I love the city of Pittsburgh and I love playing for the Pirates. Hopefully it’s a good fit for both.