Citizen Bay

AP Photo (Eric Shelton)

Congratulations to the newest American citizen: Jason Bay. He took his oath of citizenship this afternoon in Boston, although he'll retain dual Canadian citizenship. I wonder if they'll recognize this during the games this weekend? Would be timely, with the Fourth of July.

Meanwhile - the Yankees lose!

In an alternate universe somewhere...

Last year at this time, we were counting down to Manny's 500th homer. We were starting to hear reports that he was unhappy, and was making those around him unhappy. We were starting to hear whispers - again - on the message boards that Manny might get traded. We were gearing up for another turbulent trade deadline.

Wow, what a difference a year makes. One of the Marlins' beat writers made this observation this morning:

//But Bay, who came from Pittsburgh, is an MVP candidate this season while Manny sits at home, serving his suspension//

That comment gave me pause. What IF Manny hadn't been traded. What IF the Sox had exercised their option, and he was still playing for us when he got suspended for steroid use. What IF he was twiddling his thumbs waiting to return to the Sox right now. What state would Red Sox Nation be in right now??

But, that's the bizarro version. Here in the real world, the right world, Manny idles in his Dodgers' sweatshirt, while we enjoy the Quiet Canadian. The man who seems to be doing his talking - and his contract negotiating - with his bat and his glove. The man who seems to fit in seamlessly with his Sox colleagues.

I don't know about you, but I like this version much better!

JayBay will now snack on your tasty closer

Boston Globe staff photo by Barry Chin

So, apparently Jason Bay enjoys having a little snack long about the ninth inning. Friday night, his fourth meal was served up by elite closer, Mariano Rivera - with the Sox down 4-2, Bay parked one in dead center to tie the score. Last night, again in the 9th, Bay sent one out to left. With one swing, the score went from 0-0 to 3-0 Red Sox. This time, the victim was the hard-to-hit Kerry Wood.

JayBay is fast becoming one of my favorites. He goes about his job quietly, but has become a game-changer. From this morning's Globe:

"That's the way I prefer it," said Bay. "I just want to be a complementary part of this team. I want to do my part to help us win, but really it's what suits me and my personality. I don't mind doing well and getting attention for it, but I prefer things quiet."

I think it's more than time for Theo to start crunching numbers. I can understand his hesitation to sign Bay to a long term deal during Spring Training. The market was crazy, and there was no predicting what it might look like after October. But JayBay is proving very valuable - we need to lock him up before some other team (::glares toward the Evil Empire::) jumps in.

In the meantime, closers of the AL watch out - Bay looks hungry!

Welcome Back, Jay-Bay

Globe photo

I guess Pedroia was right: you only needed to pack one pair of clean undies.

Sorry about Canada's elimination from the WBC. But we're glad to have you back with the gang in Fort Myers.

Two down, one to go

Boston Globe photo by Jim Davis

Wow! What an incredible game last night - and here are the three heroes! The Sox blasted out to an early lead (thanks to Jason Bay's three-run homer in the 1st inning, pictured above). Then, the Angels slowly whittled away at that lead, scoring single runs in the 1st, 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th. Suddenly it was 5-5 ( A side note: I must admit, I fell asleep for the 5-8th innings - awoke in time to see Paps record the 3rd out of the 8th. Hey, it was a late start!) Things looked grim. But - these Sox never give up. Papi lead off the 9th with a double; Crisp replaced him on the basepaths; and then JD Drew (on the left, above) connected for a two run homer to center. WOOT! It's now 7-5. Papelbon finished them off in the bottom of the 9th - which included a spectacular catch by Youkilis (in center).

And suddenly, we're up 2-0 in the Division Series. So, too, are the Rays - we can only hope that the White Sox can rally and at least make the Rays work for another victory.

Meanwhile, tomorrow is game 3 for us - and we're back home in Fenway Park. I'm afraid to jinx anything, but I find it hard to believe we can win at least one of the next two. Of course (gamedropping), the only three games I saw at Fenway this year were three losses to - ahem - the LA Angels. Still....here's hoping.

An interesting twist. The Sox have beaten the Angels in three straight post-season series. In1986, the Sox defeated the California Angels. In 2003, we beat the Anaheim Angels. In 2007, we beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Maybe they need to take a page from the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays' playbook and rename themselves yet again?!

Bu-Bye

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
So I've spent the last three days pretty absorbed in the Red Sox-Yankees series in the Bronx. It's the last visit the Sox will make to Yankee Stadium. I feel kind of sad that I never had a chance to at least tour the Stadium - I was going to try to do it this summer, but couldn't get a ticket. I guess I'll just have to visit the new Stadium sometime in the near future.

Meanwhile, I have decided to ignore today's game, and celebrate that we won two out of three in our LAST visit. I hate that Jon Lester didn't get a win today - he took a no decision thanks to the bullpen and greaseball Giambi - but he really pitched well. A perfect bounce-back from his last start. And we're going to need him, if the news about Josh Beckett turns out to be bad (JB has been scratched from tomorrow's start, and is heading to Birmingham tomorrow to visit Dr. James Andrews - three scary words for any fan)

And let's celebrate our recent roster addition, Jason Bay:


Getty Images photo
What a great first impression Jason has made with Red Sox fans. He's jumped right in - contributing almost immediately to our playoff chase. And he's done it in a disarmingly low key manner - such a refreshing change from our previous left-fielder. I just ordered my Bay shirt from Yawkey Way - and I will wear it with pride and happiness!