Jay saying all the right things
Talented prospect looking to make up for injury-shortened 2007.
Kary Booher • News-Leader • March 23, 2008
Jon Jay is looking to take on a leadership role this season, trying to lead the Springfield Cardinals back to the postseason.
(Amber Arnold / News-Leader)
Jupiter, Fla. -- In minor league spring training, it's bite back or be bitten.
That's why it would never be a surprise if a prospect feverishly tracks his every plate appearance, jots down notes even on the exact time he hustled in front of the manager or quietly wishes that the other guy trips, stubs his toe and stumbles out of competition.
It goes on in camp. No one denies that. Yet the one guy that the Springfield Cardinals absolutely need this season, the player that could be a difference-maker, has no time for such nonsense.
Jon Jay is down here in spring training talking big, of having grandiose plans this season, uttering words of "tradition" and "we" and even purposely letting slip "championship" in conversation.
Consider it a well-stocked verbal caché, but not on standby merely to appease notepads and tape recorders. As the curtain rises on the 2008 season, Jay appears to understand that his role this year must be much more meaningful than that.
After all, guess who is climbing into the starring role of Springfield Cardinals center fielder? It's an assignment that would not be under such a harsh spotlight if not for top prospect Colby Rasmus raising the bar unbelievably high last season as the team nearly won the Texas League pennant.
"I feel like we have a really talented team, but I don't feel like the whole load is on my shoulders," Jay said. "We have been playing together for a few years now and I think we get along. And I know we want to get to (the TL) championship and win it."
Jay saying all the right things | News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader