Tagged: Jon Jay
#Twinterview with @jonjayU
Our second #Twinterview is in the books and was quite a success! Thanks to @jonjayU for helping us out! If anyone missed it, here’s what went down:
@memphisredbirds: Alright everyone, let’s get this #Twinterview started! @jonjayU, are you ready for this?
@jonjayU: let’s do it!
@memphisredbirds: Great! In 140 characters describe your World Series experience. #Twinterview
@jonjayU: it was incredible especially the series we had. I remember watching World Series in the past and dreaming of playing in one.
@memphisredbirds: Do you consider winning the World Series the most exciting thing you have done in life thus far? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: in the sports aspect of my life it is definitely number one
@memphisredbirds: How did you feel once that last out had been made in game 7 of the World Series? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: it was crazy I remember running over to Craig and just yelling because we were so fired up
@memphisredbirds: When did it hit you that you were a major leaguer? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: the day I got called up from Memphis I got to pinch hit for Carp against Hudson when I was standing on deck it hit me
@memphisredbirds: What are you looking forward to in the 2012 season? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: I can’t wait to be around my teammates and trying to do the same exact thing we did last year, win!
@memphisredbirds: What made you want to become a baseball player? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: since I can remember I always loved baseball it’s always been the one sport I have always enjoyed the most
@memphisredbirds: Which minor leaguers do you think fans should keep their eye out for in the #StLCards farm system? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: I think Ryan Jackson is a sleeper
@memphisredbirds: What’s one thing you learned in the minors that has helped you in the majors? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: I’ve learned how to deal with different circumstances and still be able to perform: long bus rides, 5am flights, eating bad
@memphisredbirds: Also, what adjustments did you have to make going from the Redbirds to the Cardinals? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: every level in the minors Ieagues I had to make an adjustment from Memphis to St Louis the speed of the game is faster.
@memphisredbirds: And what do you miss most about Memphis? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: I miss the good Memphis barbecue And my Huey’s burgers
@memphisredbirds: What were your parting words for Tony La Russa? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: It was a shocker. I thanked him for helping me in my career, he is an incredible manager.
@memphisredbirds: Thoughts on Matheny taking over for TLR? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: I’m excited, I think he is going to a great job we have a good group of core guys
@memphisredbirds: Ok, so we’re all wondering: what’s the status of your fro right now? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: haha I tweeted a pic last week but here’s another one lockerz.com/s/161158736
@memphisredbirds: It’s all gone! Will it make another appearance next season? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: maybe we’ll see how I’m feeling
@memphisredbirds: Haha, ok. You always seem to be chewing on gum during games… do you have a favorite flavor? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: haha I just stick with the original flavor I like the big league chew grape
@memphisredbirds: Ah, ‘Ground Ball’ Grape, nice choice. Who have people said you look like? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: I’m not really sure I say I look like a young fresh prince of Bel Aire Will Smith haha
@memphisredbirds: Yea, we’ll give it to you! If you weren’t in baseball, what would you be doing? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: involved in some Type of Business probably be an entrepreneur
@memphisredbirds: Now, you are known for your large shoe collection. What’s your favorite pair? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: I’m not sure prob my lebron 8’s South Beaches and All the 11 Jordans
@memphisredbirds: We see that you, @DanielDescalso and @dfreese23 all say #ouef on twitter, are you allowed to tell us what that means? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: sorry thats secret society
@memphisredbirds: I guess we’ll have to respect that. What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Cardinals organization? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: The Tradition
@memphisredbirds: Which Cardinals player have you learned the most from? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: it’s funny because I think everyone has helped me at some time that’s the great thing about our team we are all close
@memphisredbirds: Tell us one thing about you that the fans don’t already know. #Twintervie
@jonjayU: that if i didn’t play baseball all year in high school I would have played soccer
@memphisredbirds: Wow, very interesting. What are your words to live by? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: trust in God
@memphisredbirds: You’ve made it to the majors, played in the WS, what’s your ultimate goal now as a baseball player? #Twinterview
@jonjayU: be fortunate enough to win another ring
@memphisredbirds: Always good. That’s all from us in Memphis, thanks 4 participating in our 2nd #Twinterview. Good luck in StL, we’re rooting for ya!
@jonjayU: thanks you and everyone for your questions
So it looks like #oeuf will remain a mystery to fans, but you can’t blame us for trying to find out!
Because both #Twinterviews went as well as they did, a few more are in the works to be scheduled soon. Leave us a comment here about who you think our next #Twinterview should be with! And of course, follow us! @memphisredbirds
Player Spotlight: Outfielder, Jon Jay
Although Jon Jay is currently playing for the Cardinals, and very well I might add, before he left I
had the opportunity to pick his brain and get some insight on who he is as a person, not just as a baseball player.
But before we get to the question and answer part, I’d like to take some time to show you how well Mr. Jay has been doing while with the Cardinals, just in case you haven’t been paying attention as close as you should be.
His last seven games:
|
DATE |
OPP |
AVG |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
|
7/3 |
MIL |
.318 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
7/4 |
MIL |
.319 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
7/6 |
COL |
.327 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
7/7 |
COL |
.352 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
7/8 |
COL |
.368 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
7/9 |
HOU |
.377 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
7/10 |
HOU |
.385 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
His totals after all 33 games:
|
G |
AVG |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
SB |
CS |
|
|
33 |
.385 |
65 |
11 |
25 |
6 |
0 |
3 |
9 |
2 |
12 |
0 |
1 |
And his first Major League hit on 4/30/10 against Cincinnati:
And his first Major League start as right fielder 5/16 against the Reds
Keep it up Jay!
And now for why I wrote this blog in the first place…the interview!
Full Name: Jonathan Henry Jay
Nicknames: Jay and The Bomb
Favorite baseball player of all time: Ken Griffey Jr.
Team you watched growing up: Atlanta Braves
If you weren’t in baseball, what would you be doing? I’d be a businessman.
Where do you see yourself in 25 years? Hopefully I can have a good baseball career and do community work around where I’m living.
Newest Hobby: Dominating World Cup FIFA 
Best prank pulled that you’ve seen or been a part of while in pro ball? In ’06 when we (Quad Cities) won the championship, a guy put on Clyde the Drexler mascot head and ran around the locker room.
Favorite movie: Bad Boys II 
Greatest memory since playing baseball: All the years of hard work, to make my major league debut this year and the relationships I’ve created.
Who is your greatest influence? My mom
Song that gets you pumped up: Anything Jay-Z song
Most embarrassing moment while playing baseball: Dropped a fly ball to lose a game in college against the Florida Gators.
Describe yourself in five words or less: Fun, easy-going and simple
If you were a drink, what kind of drink would you be? Pina Colada because it’s ‘daytime fun’.
Favorite play in a baseball game: Robbing hits from guys in the outfield
Any broken bone stories? No, thank God. Knock on wood.
If you were a kid would you rather be the one in Rookie of the Year, Angels in the Outfield or Little Big League? Rookie of the Year, definitely.
Three things you can’t live without: My phone, any type of ball (basketball, baseball, soccer ball) and my family.
Lightning Round Responses
Dogs or Cats
Summer or Winter
Fruits or Vegetables
Movies or Books
Offense or Defense
Ketchup or Mustard
Have the ability to fly or read people’s minds
Be able to stop time while you slept or never have to do laundry
And that’s a wrap on Jon Jay. We wish him the best in St. Louis!
FUN WITH SPANISH
With winter ball in full swing we thought it would be a good idea to update Cardinals and Redbirds fans on the Boys of Summer that are still playing. And we’ll get to that but first we want to make sure everyone knows which team they are rooting for in the Spanish speaking leagues like the Dominican, Venezuelan, Mexican-Pacific and Puerto Rican leagues. Each team in those leagues is listed below with their English translation and a fun fact.
Dominican Winter League
Toros del Este – English Translation: Bulls of the East – This team is loaded with former PCL guys this season like former Nashville Sounds Vinny Rottino and Ozzie Chavez.
Tigres del Licey – English Translation: Tigers of the Licey – Former Redbird Timo Perez leads the team in average, home runs and RBI so far this season. These guys are good, they have 22 national championships and 10 Caribbean Series titles.
Leones del Escogido – English Translation: Lions of the Escogido – Escogido actually means chosen so the literal translation is ‘from Leon of the Chosen One’ but in this case we’re pretty sure leones means lions. Former Redbird Nerio Rodriguez is on the team pitching at 38-years-old. PCL Rookie of the Year Eric Young Jr. is also on the squad.
Aguilas Cibaenas – English Translation: Cibaenas Eagles – Former Redbird Hector Luna plays for the Eagles and is a teammate of Al Albuquerque. Seriously, they have a pitcher named Al Albuquerque.
Gigantes del Cibao – English Translation: Giants of the Cibao – This is Redbirds first baseman Mark Hamilton’s team. Unfortunately, he hit just .191 in 15 games for the Giants but hey he played left field almost exclusively, which was probably the reason he was there.
Estrellas de Oriente – English Translation: Stars of East – Former Bird Kelvin Jimenez is a Star this winter along with former Cardinal Fernando Tatis. Hey, Tatis spelled backwards is sitat.
Venezuelan Winter League
Leones del Caracas – English Translation: Lions of the Caracas – This is our very own Jon Jay’s team this winter. Jay is hitting over
.300 and has a team-high 21 RBI as of November 13. They’re also in first place as of November 13.
Navegantes del Magallanes – English Translation: Navigators of the Magallanes – The Navigators are in second place as of the publish date of this blog. The Navigators were founded way back in 1917 and boast Mets lefty Johan Santana on their all-time roster.
Bravos de Margarita – English Translation: Brave of Margarita – Again the literal translation is a little different here meaning Brave of Daisy, just think about that the next time you’re having a margarita.
Aguilas del Zulia – English Translation: Eagles of Zulia – According to legend the Eagles got their name from the label of Zulia Beer, whose label features a blue eagle. How great would it have been if the Cardinals would have dropped the Birds on the Bat for Spuds MacKenzie in the 1980s?
Tigres de Aragua – English Translation: Tigers of Aragua – The Tigers’ all-time roster reads, well like an all-time greats roster. Mariano
Riveira, Paul O’Neill, Torii Hunter, Jim Edmonds, Miguel Cabrera, Rod Carew and Dave Concepcion all played for Aragua. Former Iowa manager Buddy Bailey has led the squad to five titles in the past six years.
Tiburones de La Guaira – English Translation: Sharks of the Guaira – Hall of Famer Luis Aprecio played six seasons for the Sharks. White
Sox manager and Venezuelan Ozzie Guillen is one of six former Sharks to have his number retired by the club.
Cardenales de Lara – English Translation: Cardinals of Lara – Lara and Aragua are the only teams in the Venezuelan Winter League to share mascots with big league teams. The Cardinals colors, however, a little different than the St. Louis version, Lara’s colors are black and red.
Caribes de Anzoategui – English Translation: Caribbean of Anzoategui – The Anzoategui region has one single beach that is over 60 miles long.
Mexican-Pacific League
Venados de Mazatlan – English Translation: Deer of Mazatlan – Why does America not have a major league franchise called the Deer? The Milwaukee Bucks is close but it just doesn’t have the same ring to it. Unlike the tiny Arkansas town of Deer, whose teams are the Deer Antlers.
Aguilas de Mexicali – English Translation: Eagles of Mexicali – Former Philadelphia Phillies ballplayer and former owner of one fine
mullet John Kruk played for the Eagles 1986 championship team.
Mayos de Navojoa – English Translation: Mays of Navojoa – Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, former Cardinals skipper White Herzog and Boston Red Sox star Kevin Youkilis all played for The Tribe.
Naranjeros de Hermosillo – English Translation: Orange Sellers of Hermosillo – Orange Sellers? Redbirds hurler Fernando Salas is
pitching for Hermosillo this winter.
Yaquis de Obregon – English Translation: Yaquis of Obregon – The Yaquis were a Native American tribe who lived in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States.
Caneros de los Mochis – English Translation: Caneros of the Mochis – We have no idea what caneros means and we couldn’t find a logo for the team so if anyone knows what or who a canero is let us know.
Algodoneros de Guasave – English Translation: Cotton Plants of Guasave – Former Redbird Andy Cavazos is twirling for Guasave this winter.
Tomateros de Culiacan – English Translation: Once again we’ve been foiled by our lack of Spanish speaking skills and have no idea what
tomateros means, tomatoes?
Puerto Rican League
The Puerto Rican League just started on Thursday, November 12 so there isn’t a whole lot to say about this league right now other than our clubhouse managers are all Puerto Rican and working in the league. So a big shout out to Nelson Padro, Celso Collado and Ruben Allende. The league didn’t play in 2007 but it’s back now and better than ever.
Lobos de Arecibo – English Translation: Arecibo Wolves
Criollos de Caguas – English Translation: Caguas Creoles
Gigantes de Carolina – English Translation: Carolina Giants
Indios de Mayag�ez – English Translation: Mayaguez Indians
Leones de Ponce – English Translation: Ponce Lions
The Caribbean Series starts on February 2, 2010 on Margarita Island in Venezuela with each of the four leagues mentioned sending their champion to the series. Tigres de Aragua of the Venezuelan Winter League is the defending Caribbean Series champ.
And as promised a little update on the Birds still playing ball, however, be fair warned it is not pretty. Of the 11 position players that
have Cardinals ties only two of them are hitting over .300, the aforementioned Jon Jay in the Venezuelan Winter League and Tyler Henley in the Arizona Fall League. Prospect Daryl Jones is hitting under .200 and Redbirds first baseman Mark Hamilton hit under .200 in his stint in the Dominican Winter League. Daniel Descalso and Bryan Anderson have neither one put up the numbers everyone
expected so far in the Arizona Fall League. Meanwhile, on the bump Evan MacLane is still cruising. The lefty is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five starts for Oriente in the Dominican Winter League. Former ‘Bird Mike Parisi is out in the Fall League as well after recovering from Tommy John surgery this past season. The Arizona Fall League concludes on Saturday, November 21.
Chirp Chatter 