Bay reports to Pirates camp early
BRADENTON, Fla. — Jason Bay reported to the Pittsburgh Pirates' spring training camp Sunday, three days early and sounding eager to improve upon his excellent first two seasons in the majors.
But he understands it won't be easy to top being National League Rookie of the Year in 2004 and one of the top all-around offensive performers last season.
"You want to keep improving every year, and I've obviously set a very high bar for myself after two years," Bay said. "At some point, though, that's going to stop. You're not just going to keep getting better and better forever. That season I had last year, I look back on it and see the numbers, and I do realize how they stand out in most offensive categories."
Bay, 27, batted .306 with 32 home runs, 44 doubles, 21 stolen bases in 22 attempts, 110 runs and 101 RBIs. He became the only player in franchise history to top .300, 30 home runs, 40 doubles, 20 steals, 100 runs and 100 RBIs. He also was the only player in Major League Baseball last season to achieve it.
He was named to the National League All-Star team and, after the season, signed a four-year contract worth $18.25 million.
Not an easy year to match, much less exceed.
"You know what? My main thing is going to be trying to be consistent," Bay said. "Those numbers I put up last year and the protection we'll have this year, I think that's going to help me maintain that."
Bay had little protection batting third in the Pirates' weak lineup, prompting management to acquire Jeromy Burnitz, Sean Casey and Joe Randa in the offseason. In all likelihood, those players will bat behind Bay in the order.
Even with that, though, Bay is guarding against placing personal expectations too high.
"It's great to get those guys, and some people seem to think that will automatically make everything that much better. But it's still going to be very difficult to improve on those numbers," he said. "The way I look at it is, if I can maintain that average, up or down a little either way, that would be a great career."
Bay said he arrived at spring training early because he knows he will miss some of training camp to represent Canada in the World Baseball Classic.
"Never hurts to get a little bit of a head start," he said.
Notes:
Second baseman Jose Castillo reported early. He has been cleared for all baseball-related activity after missing the final six weeks of last season with a torn left knee ligament. Third base prospect Jose Bautista had been expected to take his first batting practice since his left wrist was fractured in winter ball, but an illness postponed that. Thirteen pitchers took the mound as part of the three-hour workout, including left-hander Sean Burnett, who is recovering from two arm surgeries.
