Struggling Bay gets day off on Jason Bay bobblehead day
DATE: July 31, 2002
TRADE: Mets acquire Steve Reed and Jason Middlebrook from San Diego in exchange for Bobby Jones, minor league Josh Reynolds and minor league Jason Bay
OUTCOME: You probably missed this trade when it happened and it’s safe to assume most Met fans didn’t even know who Jason Bay was back in 2002. But when the Mets gave him up for solid righty reliever Steve Reed, they lost out on the early years of an All-Star career. Bay averaged 26 home runs and 87 RBIs in seven seasons with the Padres, Pirates and Red Sox before the Mets signed Bay to a fat four-year deal worth $66 million. Credit: John Dunn
Jason Bay got the day off Sunday on Jason Bay bobblehead day.
It probably was for the best, as the Mets' $66-million leftfielder has been hearing it from the fans lately. A poor showing at the plate could have caused a few knuckleheads to turn those dolls into dangerous projectiles.
Bay finished the first half batting .265 with six home runs and 44 RBIs. The Mets signed him to be a big bat in the middle of their lineup - his career averages over 162 games are 31 home runs and 105 RBIs - but he has been anything but that and will start the second half as the No. 6 hitter.
Manager Jerry Manuel said the boos were a factor in his decision to give Bay a rest even though he will have three days off during the All-Star break.
"It happens to all the guys that come here for the first time," Manuel said. "You have to for some reason experience that. You have to go through some things, try harder than you've ever tried before. Now what he needs to do is exhale and play Jason Bay baseball . . . I'm looking forward to seeing him heat up."
Wild thing
In his first rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo, Oliver Perez showed little reason to think he can help the Mets anytime soon - not that they are holding their breath.
Perez had little control against Rochester. In five innings, he threw 100 pitches, only 52 of which were strikes. He walked five, hit two batters, threw two wild pitches and also had a throwing error.
Perez allowed three hits and one unearned run and struck out three. He will make one or two more rehab starts before the Mets make a decision on him.
Extra bases
Jesus Feliciano was sent to Buffalo after the game to make room for Carlos Beltran . . . Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal was selected to replace injured Jose Reyes on the NL All-Star team . . . A moment of silence was held before the game to honor Bob Sheppard, the longtime Yankees public-address announcer.
