Aug
8
2011

Is Jason Bay FINALLY Turning The Corner?

An article by Clayton Collier

I know, this is probably the third time someone has written an article just like this when Jason Bay has begun to play decently, but in the past 10-15 games, Bay has looked very strong at the plate. Could this finally be the arrival of the 66 million dollar man that the Mets signed in January of 2010? I am still obviously skeptical, but I think it is possible Bay could finally be finding himself at the plate after nearly two years.

We have seen the 32-year old British Columbia native get hot on very rare occasions, and as I have aforementioned in a June post, it is almost always during Interleague Play. But now as of late, facing the like of the Braves, Nationals, and Reds, Bay is seeing the ball well. He is not just getting lucky on bloopers and dribblers, but Bay is also getting consistent extra base hits as well as walks.

Bay is currently riding a nine game hitting streak in which he is batting .457 with 4 doubles, 2 homers and eight RBIs over that stretch. The Mets leftfielder has also raised his average to .249 on the year, the highest it has been since July 3rd, the last day of Interleague Play. A very good sign out of Bay, and hopefully something that will translate into a return to his old form.

The reason I even entertain the thought is due to the fact that it is not during Interleague Play and this hot streak has not been a one time, 5-5 game like we have seen on rare occurrences in the past. This time around it is a stretched out span, getting on base via the walk, the base hit and the extra-base hit. He has hit the long fly balls, the liners and the grounders. It has not been a one dimensional hot streak, but an overall improvement that has spanned on the road and at home, facing good and bad pitching alike.

Whether this is just another streak, or the true Jason Bay that we have been waiting for, it is at the very least a much needed source of production for the time being, especially now that Daniel Murphy is likely lost for the year, and an encouraging sign for a former All-Star who has struggled so mightily in Flushing.

About the Author: Clayton Collier

Clayton, a Long Island native and die-hard Mets fan, started writing online about three years ago. He is currently a Journalism major with a minor in Broadcasting at Seton Hall University. Although very disappointed with the current state of the team, Clayton remains hopeful that the young prospects in the farm system will bring the Mets back to a respected franchise in baseball once again. Besides writing for MMO, Clayton is also a staff member at 89.5 WSOU, Seton Hall's modern active rock radio station. You can contact Clayton by following him on Twitter: @Clayton_Collier or E-mailing him at MaybeNextYearMets@yahoo.com

8 Comments + Add Comment

alex68 August 8, 2011 at 9:57 am

we had an article about him turning the corner in june as well, this guy is a bum who has a good week here and there.. he along with bobby parnell f*ing suck!!!!!!!
- Russell Zanca August 8, 2011 at 12:18 pm
  
  Um, I agree w/ Alex.
  
  All I will say in Bay’s defense is that he conducts himself like a professional, and his dispassion on the field is his character. He is very much like Olerud in this respect sans production.
  
  The only way I could have some credibility in this man at this point in his career is to see him “tear it up” from now till Sept. 30.
  
  If his final # for the year ends up being 20 HRs, 75 Ribbies, and a .265 BA, then his year ends up being decent, but he still remains a Met disappointment. If he goes out w/ a broken leg tomorrow, don’t think I’ll miss him much.
thoeg August 8, 2011 at 10:07 am

Jason Bay is a ball player and may need prozac? It is certainly all upstairs for him in terms of his difficulty. He is more than capable in the field and on the basepaths. Recently I have been looking at the position of his head when batting. During this recent streak his head seems more relaxed and able to stay on the ball and base hits are occurring.

I feel that despite his continuing woes he will be worth the amount we paid him as the team continues to develop. Just don’t know if we can wait for him to be consistent until 2013 when we just might have the pitching to catapault us into contention.

We need a guy like Bay and we need him to get the team on his shoulders RIGHT NOW…..particularly RIGHT NOW.
- Mex_17 August 8, 2011 at 8:18 pm
  
  “Recently I have been looking at the position of his head when batting.”
  
  I have done the same thing, and I’m amazed he’s even able to swing a baseball bat with his head lodged so far up his own butt.
  - Clayton Collier August 8, 2011 at 8:41 pm
    
    Was this written before or after Bay just notched his 3rd dinger of this homestand?
    
    The man has been pitiful for most of his entire Met career when not facing the AL, but this is his first hot streak against NL teams and a more prolounged and well rounded hot streak than his other few.
    
    Not saying in any fashion that he is back. But give him a fighting chance.
Mex_17 August 8, 2011 at 8:16 pm

I will field this question…

No. Absolutely not. He is not finally turning the corner. He is nowhere near the corner. He’s not even in the same time zone as the corner. Bay couldn’t find “the corner” if you gave him a map with a big red X on “the corner” and detailed Mapquest directions on how to get to the corner. So no, no, no, a thousand times: NO!

If you rephrase the question as “Will Bay always be the most worthless sack of crap in Major League Baseball?” Then that totally changes my answer. The answer to that is a resounding “YES!”
Derek Candela August 8, 2011 at 9:09 pm

It’s about time!
OmarFan August 8, 2011 at 11:25 pm

If he turned the corner and drove to LaGuardia, hopped a plane to California, I would be more than pleased!

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	25	18	.581	-
Nationals	23	21	.523	2.5
Phillies	21	23	.477	4.5
Mets	17	24	.415	7.0
Marlins	12	32	.273	13.5

Last updated: 05/19/2013

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