Projo Sox Blog

BY JIM DONALDSON
Journal Sports Writer

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Of all the Red Sox, it's unlikely anyone is happier to be in the playoffs than Jason Bay.

"It's a blast," he said in the clubhouse before Tuesday's workout at the Big A. "It's so nice, not being at home, watching on TV, like I have been the past four years."

The National League Rookie of the Year for the Pirates in 2004 -- the first Pittsburgh player ever to win that award -- when he hit .282, with 26 homers and 82 RBI, in 120 games after being called up from Triple-A Nashville, Bay came to Boston in the three-way, trading-deadline deal that sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers and Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss to the Pirates.

In 49 games for the Sox, he's handled well the pressure of taking over for Ramirez in left field, batting .293, with 9 homers and 37 RBI.

"Jason Bay is a really good player," said Sox third baseman Mike Lowell, last year's World Series MVP. "He's been under the radar, playing in a small market. But he's the kind of guy who can carry a team."

"This is a winning atmosphere here," Bay said. "Everyone likes to win."

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