Through the ups and downs, Bay stays even-keeled for Mets
New York Mets left fielder Jason Bay (44) connects for a double that drives in shortstop Jose Reyes (not pictured) in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Braves 3-1. Credit: Newsday/Christopher Pasatieri
Like just about every other kid who grew up in Trail, British Columbia, Jason Bay knows all about the Trail Smoke Eaters. Many of the "Smokies" worked in the lead-zinc smelting plant all day, then went to hockey practice at night. And they paid their own way to Switzerland to represent Canada in 1961, becoming the last Canadian amateur team to win the world championship.
They made an imprint on their country and especially on the hearts of everyone raised in the little town of 8,000. The lesson: Try as hard as you can, see how things turn out and don't worry about the little ups and downs along the way.
Bay takes that attitude into every game as the Mets' high-priced leftfielder. Thus you'd never know if he is in a big slump, which he endured for much of his first month with the Mets, or had three hits in a game, which he did Saturday, after having hit a big triple Friday.
"You see the same man every day," manager Jerry Manuel said. "He doesn't waver in his emotions. He might get a little louder here and there, but other than that, he's pretty much the same guy."
Bay's even temperament isn't the result of big money in the bank. It's just the way he always has been, fellow Trail native Ray Ferraro said soon after the Mets signed the free agent in January. Bay is an authentic, easygoing, hard-working guy, said Ferraro, the former Islanders and Rangers center who once baby-sat for Bay because he grew up with the player's aunt, Leigh Merlo.
Everyone knows everyone in Trail - St. Louis Blues defenseman Barret Jackman went to school with Bay's sister Lauren, an Olympic softball pitcher; Edmonton Oilers forward Shawn Horcoff was born in the same hospital as Jason, three days apart. Just about every boy played baseball for Andy Bilesky, who coached five teams to the Little League World Series.
"He put in 50 years coaching Little League up there. He coached my dad, he coached me," Bay said before going 1-for-2 as the Mets beat the Braves, 1-0, in a rain-shortened five-inning game at Citi Field. "He obviously knew what he was doing."
Bilesky helped instill a passion for baseball that persuaded Bay to quit hockey at 12.
"I kind of wished I had stuck with it. I love it to this day," he said, adding that Horcoff and Jackman are his close friends. "Obviously, the baseball thing has worked out."
Bay is sure the Mets thing will work out, too. He won't get anxious about not having a homer in his first 18 games.
"I went through a lot to get where I am: a 22nd-round draft pick, getting traded three times in the minor leagues, living out of a suitcase, sleeping on guys' couches," he said. "It was just, wherever you go, keep producing, you work your butt off. I think that has kind of stuck with me."
