Projo Sox Blog

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

ATLANTA _ It's not too often Jason Bay gets a day off.

The Red Sox left fielder is not in the starting lineup Saturday for only the second time this season.

"It's too hot for a Canadian," he said with a smile.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona told Bay after Friday's game at Turner Field he was getting the day off.

"I'm in no position to argue with the skipper. It comes at a good time, but it's not something I feel I need."

It's been a luxury for Francona to pencil Bay into the lineup on a daily basis.

"Bay's been out there grinding away, and I think it was a good day to do it," said Francona.

Bay arrived in Boston last July as part of a three-team trade that sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers, and prospects Brandon Moss and Craig Hansen to the Pirates. Bay's presence and personality has fit perfectly on and off the field for the Red Sox.

As Francona always says, "You just have to wind him up and let him go."

At the time of the trade, baseball personnel told Francona that he was going to love Bay.

"He wants to play every day. We pretty much have a roomful of guys who all want to play," said Francona. "That's good. He'll never tell you he needs a day off."

When he was with the Pirates, Bay played all 162 games in 2005.

"Good in theory," he said. "Not really in execution."

He played 159 the following season, 145 in 2007 and 155 in 2008. So far in 2009, Bay has played in 72 of 74 games in his first full season for the Red Sox.

Bay believes the number of games played can sometimes get overlooked. Due to the long and arduous season, it can be easy to find excuses to ask for a day off. A player can be bruised and banged up, or just going through a bit of a slump and would want to sit.

Bay, and most of his Red Sox teammates don't approach the game that way.

"I take a ton of pride in that," he said of playing as many games as he can. "It's my personality. It's been called the 'lunch-pale approach' to the game and I take that as a complement. My dad goes to work 9 to 5 everyday since the day graduated high school. He doesn't miss work, so if I can play I'll play."

Bay's father is 51 and works in the warehouse of the world's largest smelter for zinc in Canada

Because Bay, 30, has been such a presence on and off the field for the Red Sox, there's been a lot of talk about his future in the organization. His contract is up at the end of this season and he'll become a free agent.

"It's gotten to a point now where I'm not going to talk about it," said Bay. "I don't mean that in a bad way. Until there's a press conference, or it's the end of the season, it's really a moot point for me."

Red Sox management and ownership don't like to negotiate during the season, and Bay says he understands that. At this point, both sides only care about winning.

"I've gotten to this point without really worrying about it - so far, so good. I'm pleasantly surprised how easy it's been living in the now," said Bay. "I'm having fun with these guys winning games, and that helps on any level. We win ball games, and my contract status is a side note."

 Tags  Jason Bay Red Sox Terry Francona

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