Signed as a free agent this offseason, new Mets left fielder Jason Bay recently spoke with Sporting News’ Stan McNeal about his new team:
‘If I get out there 150-plus times, my numbers will be there,’ Jason Bay says.
Having played in Boston will help me a ton moving to New York.
When I was traded from Pittsburgh to Boston, the difference was like, boom. There’s always an electricity at Fenway — every game matters so much. Like everyone who hasn’t had that opportunity, I wondered if I could handle it. After having that experience, it would be tough to go back to the old situation.
My expectations are the same as always. I will try to play as many games as I can. If I get out there 150-plus times, my numbers will be there. I can’t do that without having good guys around me. On this team, there’s not one or two guys expected to carry the team every day, and that helps us all.
People are hesitant to keep bringing up how many injuries this team had last year because it sounds like an excuse. As an outsider coming in, I can tell you it’s the truth. Talentwise, this team stacks up against anybody. It’s the same team that many people picked to go far in the playoffs before last year.
Everybody realizes we need to pitch better. We have arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Johan Santana, and behind him, there’s a lot of talent. Maybe they underachieved last year, but that stuff happens. What you hope is that it happened all at once for everybody and now it’s out of their system.
This story first appeared in the February 15 edition of Sporting News magazine. If you are not receiving the magazine, subscribe today, or pick up a copy, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Signed as a free agent this offseason, new Mets left fielder Jason Bay recently spoke with Sporting News’ Stan McNeal about his new team:
‘If I get out there 150-plus times, my numbers will be there,’ Jason Bay says.
Having played in Boston will help me a ton moving to New York.
When I was traded from Pittsburgh to Boston, the difference was like, boom. There’s always an electricity at Fenway — every game matters so much. Like everyone who hasn’t had that opportunity, I wondered if I could handle it. After having that experience, it would be tough to go back to the old situation.
My expectations are the same as always. I will try to play as many games as I can. If I get out there 150-plus times, my numbers will be there. I can’t do that without having good guys around me. On this team, there’s not one or two guys expected to carry the team every day, and that helps us all.
People are hesitant to keep bringing up how many injuries this team had last year because it sounds like an excuse. As an outsider coming in, I can tell you it’s the truth. Talentwise, this team stacks up against anybody. It’s the same team that many people picked to go far in the playoffs before last year.
Everybody realizes we need to pitch better. We have arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Johan Santana, and behind him, there’s a lot of talent. Maybe they underachieved last year, but that stuff happens. What you hope is that it happened all at once for everybody and now it’s out of their system.
This story first appeared in the February 15 edition of Sporting News magazine. If you are not receiving the magazine, subscribe today, or pick up a copy, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
