News

Jason Bay Honoured

Baseball BC alumnus Jason Bay (Trail, BC) became only the sixth player inducted onto Baseball Canada’s Wall of Excellence presented by RBC Wealth Management over the weekend.

After being released by the Seattle Mariners this past August, Bay decided to walk away from the game.

Through 11 seasons, Bay hit .266 with 222 homeruns, second most ever by a Canadian and had a slugging percentage of .481.

Bay was drafted in the 22nd round by the Montreal Expos in the 2000 amateur draft.  He didn’t make his major league debut until May 23, 2003 as a member of the San Diego Padres.  His first big league hit came in that game and was a homerun in the ninth inning.  Two days later he suffered a broken right wrist after begin hit by a pitch.

In August of 2003 he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he enjoyed tremendous success.  He was named the NL Rookie of the Year in 2004, leading all MLB rookies with 26 homers.

In 2005 Bay was selected to his first All-Star Game as a reserve outfielder and was the only player not to appear in the game.  He finished the Pirates season hitting .306 with 32 homers and 101 RBIs.

The following season Bay was voted into the All-Star Game as a starter, becoming the first Pirate to do so since Andy Van Slyke.

On July 31, 2008 Bay was traded to the Boston Red Sox, a deal which sent Manny Ramirez to LA.

He signed with the New York Mets in December of 2009, and spent three seasons, before signing with the Mariners in December of 2012.

Bay and his wife Kristen have two daughters, Addison and Evelyn along with their son, Garrett David Bay.

Baseball BC would like to congratulate Jason Bay with this honour.

Photo courtesy of Elaine Thompson/Associated Press