Thought this immediately after getting a look at Jason Bay during his introductory press conference last Friday: Bay looks like he could be John Henry's son. Maybe it softened the blow of Manny Ramirez leaving when the Sox Principal Owner realized that his doppleganger would be roaming left field for the next season-and-a-half.

A couple of things about Bay, a two-time National League All-Star, above and beyond his Henry-like visage:

*His approach at the plate is something that will fit right in with the rest of the OBP-loving Red Sox. He had a pair of .400 OBP seasons (.402 and .396, which I'll round up to .400 thanks) with an "Island of Misfit Sluggers" lineup in Pittsburgh, and it's going to be interesting to see how much he can do in the Sox lineup. It seemed like every time I looked up this weekend, he was ahead in the count and in a great hitter's count.

*He's faster than advertised, and does a very good job going first to third and chewing up ground on the basepaths. He actually has a 21 stolen base season under his belt (during which he was caught only once), but he probably won't be stealing too many bases with the Sox. He also won't be taking 5.7 seconds to lollygag up the first base line, which is a welcomed sight.

*Bay looked very solid dealing with the Green Monster and playing left field at Fenway, and had very good range in the outfield. While he looked solid at home, the real difference will come in some of the big outfields that Boston ventures out to on the road. Manny had become somewhat of a left field liability in road ballparks, and Bay will erase much of that.

*The immediate up-tick in Bay Watch and Bay State signs at Fenway Park was both predictable and satisfying at the same time.

*He's Canadian, and by my life experience that makes him a Moulson-drinking, Hockey Night in Canada-watching pretty good dude.  

 

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