SAN DIEGO • Almost as fast as you can say Jon Jay, the Cardinals center fielder has gone from table setter to run producer.

Jay, the leadoff man for much of the second half of last season and for the first month this season, has fit comfortably into the lower part of the lineup after struggling to reach base when he hit first.

Although he didn’t drive in a run Monday in the Cards’ 4-2 loss to the San Diego Padres, he had two hits and has driven in 15 runs in his past five games and had lifted his RBI total to 23, fourth highest on the club. Through Sunday he was hitting .342 with men in scoring position and .415 overall in his past 23 starts.
Jay had driven in 27, 37 and 40 runners in his first three big-league seasons but is on pace for 80 or so now.

“Those numbers for his lack of production in the past were kind of false numbers,’’ Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “He takes good at-bats. You don’t see him do much different with guys in scoring position.

“I know the year before last, he was known as a guy who wasn’t driving in runs. I think he’s proved to himself that he’s able to do that when the situation presents itself.”

Jay insists he is the same player whether he hits first or whether he bats sixth or seventh.

“When I hit in the top of the lineup, I still took pride in trying to drive guys in,” Jay said. “You get more chances (now) but I’ve still got the same approach. It’s the same to me, though ... as long as I’m playing. I’m just trying to get to October. Keep piling wins up.”

Hitting coach John Mabry said Jay “doesn’t scare.”

And by that, he meant not only does the lefthanded-hitting Jay feel capable of meeting any game situation but that he wasn’t afraid to make a rather radical in-season approach to his stance.

Where he used to lay the bat on his shoulder and then had a lot of movement before the pitch was delivered, Jay switched to having his bat more perpendicular to the ground and with less movement.

“I just started doing it and rolled with it,” Jay said. “It helps me get to the ‘ready’ position a lot sooner.”

The idea actually was fomented in the offseason when Jay called Mabry, who moved up from assistant hitting coach to the hitting coach position, and said he wanted to make an adjustment.

Jay didn’t really implement the plan much until about a month into season, with veteran outfielder Carlos Beltran also offering his advice on the matter.

“It was a collaborative effort,” Mabry said. “Jon doesn’t scare from any situation. When you’ve got that trait, you have the ability to drive in those runs like he’s driving them in.”

But Mabry admitted he and Jay were taking a chance of an in-season adjustment.

“It’s always a risk, any time you do something like that,” Mabry said. “You also might get better and reach your potential. You have to understand there are times when you have to do things in order for longevity in the league and to be the best player you can be.

“During the season, it’s tough. But, again, he doesn’t scare from any situation.”

There is some psychology involved, though, Mabry said.

“As a player, you have to be the one that wants to make the adjustment,” said Mabry, who had to make several as a hitter in his career. “If someone tells you you need to make the adjustment, you don’t wholeheartedly buy in all the time.

“As a player, if you say, ‘I think I can do something a little better and I want to try this,’ then you can buy into it.

“Any time you try something new, you can leave yourself a little bit vulnerable. Whether it works out or doesn’t work out, you can always have the experience of having tried it and seeing if you liked the results — if you got to balls you weren’t normally getting to, if the ball was carrying a little farther and if you were laying off balls that you wouldn’t normally lay off.

“All those things are a sign of a positive change. And I think he saw enough of that to maybe want to do it a little more. When he talked to Carlos, and (Beltran) reaffirmed it, that gave him the nudge in the right direction he wanted to go.

“You’re kind of making a leap of faith. And when you make that leap of faith and have immediate results, you say, ‘Whoa, this might be a way to go.’ If you go that way and struggle, you might never buy into it.

“He’s done a phenomenal job.”


(stltoday.com)

Cardinals CF Jon Jay drove in his 12th run in 11 games with an RBI double in the fourth inning and also notched his first assist of the year, doubling John Buck off second to end the second. Jay is hitting .439 (18-of-41) since May 2.




(chicagotribune.com)

Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay continued his recent hot hitting in Wednesday's series finale against the Cubs. He went 1 for 3 with two RBI in the 5-4 win.

Jay hit a sac fly in the fourth inning before driving in Yadier Molina with a single in the eighth.

The 28-year-old has hit safely in seven straight games and has gone 10 for 24 (.417) with one homer and eight RBI during that span.


(cbssports.com)

St. Louis Cardinals OF Jon Jay had two hits, including a home run, and four RBIs in a victory Saturday, May 4, which marked his third straight multi-hit game. Jay has raised his average from .204 to .243 and has looked "relaxed" and "smooth" at the plate recently, according to OF Carlos Beltran. "He made some pretty big overhauls to his swing," manager Mike Matheny said. "He has been working hard to find that rhythm. It's not just simplifying – the ball sounds different coming off his bat."

Jay previously had a timing mechanism at the plate that involved several hand pumps, but he became too anxious with them at times, which threw off his timing significantly. His bat started to flatten over his back shoulder and his hands came closer to his chest during his slump. A downward loop had been created with his hands that left his swing slow and long. Jay worked with the coach staff to move his hands away from his body, raised his bat perpendicular to his shoulder and made his swing more direct.

Fantasy Tip: You'll likely find Jay's name on many a mixed league waiver wire still because of his slow start. With a retooled approach, however, he has shown signs of life and should be considered for a waiver wire acquisition if you're searching for outfield depth.


(kffl.com)

MILWAUKEE — Jon Jay homered and drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth and Allen Craig and Daniel Descalso each hit home runs to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.

Shane Robinson singled to center and then took second on center fielder Carlos Gomez’s fielding error off Jim Henderson (2-1) who started the ninth for Milwaukee with the game tied at 6. Robinson stole third and then scored when Jay singled up the middle, the last lead change in a back-and-forth game.

Jay hit a three-run home run in the second, Craig connected for a solo shot in the sixth and Descalso put the Cardinals ahead with a two-run homer in the seventh.

The Brewers trailed by one in the eighth when they got one-out singles that put runners on the corners. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny brought in Randy Choate. Norichika Aoki dropped a perfect bunt down as pinch-runner Jeff Bianchi raced home and slide feet first, avoiding catcher Yadier Molina’s tag. Seth Maness (1-0) came on and got the Cardinals out of the jam, getting Jean Segura to hit into a double play.

Maness earned his first major league win. Edward Mujica pitched the ninth for his eighth save.

Descalso hit his first homre of the season off reliever Tom Gorzelanny who came on for starter Yovani Gallardo. The Milwaukee right-hander looked liked he might pick up the win after Milwaukee went ahead 5-4 in the sixth.

That didn’t happen, but it kept Gallardo from suffering another loss to St. Louis. He came in 1-10 in 15 starts.

Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright gave up Segura’s two-run home run in the first, but nothing more until three runs in the sixth ended his start and put the Brewers ahead 5-4.

Gomez hit a one-out solo home run. Martin Maldonado singled, advanced on Alex Gonzalez’ single and both scored on pinch-hitter Jonathan Lucroy’s double. After Wainwright hit Aoki for the second time in the game, Kelly took over and got Segura to hit into a double play.

Wainwright went 5 1-3, allowed 11 hits, the most since he gave up 11 on Opening Day at Arizona, and struck out five.

His first three pitches of the game hurt, especially the one that snapped his streak of not allowing a home run this season.

On a 1-0 pitch, Aoki’ singled. Then first-pitch swinging Segura hit his fourth home run of the season.

Jay’s three-run homer in the second erased Milwaukee’s 2-0 lead.


(thetelegraph.com)

Since Mike Matheny gave Jon Jay two days off — three when you add in a scheduled off day — the Cardinals center fielder has broken out of the 0-for-21 slump he was in. He reached base safely in six games since then, with a .600 on-base percentage in those games, before going 0 for 3 Tuesday.

“It definitely helps when you can go in the cage and you know you’re not playing,” Jay said. “You always want to be able to work through it, but when you get a day off like that, you go in the cage and spend as much time as you can.

“I feel better at the plate and I’m remaining positive. I know I can bring a lot to the table. It’s just a matter of doing it.”

While Jay’s swing was the issue in his drought, he’s been getting on in ways that don’t even involve taking the bat off his shoulder. Jay walked three times in two games, matching his walk total for the first 21 games of the season, and was hit by pitch twice.

“I’m just trying to have good at-bats,” he said. “If I can go out there and have good at-bats, you never know what’s going to happen. Swing at strikes, take the balls and hopefully good things happen.”

“We gave him a little time,” Matheny said before Tuesday’s game, “and the last two games certainly he’s looked different. He’s going up there with confidence.”


(stltoday.com)

WASHINGTON • Center fielder Jon Jay appeared late in Wednesday’s game to deliver a pinch-hit single and end a personal zero-for-21 streak on this trip.

But for a second consecutive day, Jay was not in the starting lineup as manager Mike Matheny wanted to get him time away from the batter’s box to work out of an extended funk.

Jay’s timing is amuck at the plate. With a lot of moving parts to Jay’s swing, Matheny wanted the outfielder to refine his approach and find his timing without having to do it in games.

“I’m trying to get the timing back,” said Jay, who grounded into a double play in his final at-bat Wednesday to leave his average at .205. “Hitting is all timing with everyone. I’m trying to get that back. Obviously I’d like to be doing better, but I’m not. I know I’m going to come out of it.”


(stltoday.com)

WASHINGTON -- In an effort to give Jon Jay an extended opportunity to work on his swing, manager Mike Matheny kept the center fielder out of the lineup for a second straight day. Jay is utilizing the time off to spend extra time in the batting cage, where he is specifically focusing on the timing of his complicated swing, which includes a lot more movement than most players.

"If you have that much movement, you're going to be a streaky hitter," Matheny said. "When he's hot, I think he's as hot as anybody. And when he's cold, he could be the [opposite]."

To this point it has been the latter. Though Jay left Spring Training feeling good about his timing, he has found no consistent rhythm this month. In 18 games entering play Wednesday, Jay had batted .197 with 17 strikeouts and just three walks. It's hardly the start Jay raced out to last season, when he was hitting .400 at the end of April.

"Obviously, I wish I could be doing better, but I'm not," Jay said on Wednesday. "But at the same time, I know that this is a long season and you go through this as a player. I know I'm going to come out of it.

"I feel like this year, I've had games where I've been consistent and games where I haven't been. It's just a combination of things. When things are going bad, it's bad. I haven't lost confidence in what kind of player I am and what I can bring to the table. This happens to everyone. It's not fun when you're dealing with it in the beginning of the season."

Jay compared this current stretch to the one he endured last summer, shortly after returning from a shoulder injury. As he worked to get his timing back, Jay hit .197 over a 21-game stretch from June 24-July 20. He struck out 16 times and walked seven times in 72 plate appearances.

The struggles weren't so noticeable on the stat sheet because his early-season success masked the dip in batting average. And in the end, Jay finished the season with a .305 season average.

"Jon, you forget how young he still is in his career," Matheny said. "He's still trying to figure out those keys, those cues he has to have to get him back to where he needs to be. When he gets it, it'll be fun to have him back at the top of the order."


(mlb.com)

Jon Jay went hitless in a fifth straight game Monday versus the Nationals, dropping his average to .197.
The Cardinals had their slumping center fielder bat seventh tonight. In spite of his struggles, Jay scored 14 runs in 15 games out of the leadoff spot. He'll probably move back up once he breaks out of this funk.


(rotoworld.com)

Jon Jay went 2-for-4 with a two-run double, a walk and three runs scored in a 10-6 win over the Pirates on Monday.

Jay entered with two homers and no doubles, which was quite a change from a 2012 season in which he finished with four homers and 22 doubles in 443 at-bats. He'll be worth playing in mixed leagues for as long as he remains the Cardinals' primary leadoff man.


(rotoworld.com)

Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay turned in a solid performance at the plate during Sunday's series finale against the Giants.

Jay singled and walked in the fourth inning. He also drove in two runs on a triple in the ninth inning and finished 2 for 5 with a walk and three runs scored in a 14-3 victory. It was his second multi-hit game of the season. Jay is hitting 241/.290/.414 with a home run and four RBI through his first six games.


(cbssports.com)

(The Chirp) -- During Spring Training last year, we asked individual Cardinal players if they had any hobbies or special skills that made them unique.  The most 'unique' answer came from center fielder Jon Jay.

Jay told us that he collects sneakers.  Now, at the time that didn't really register.  I mean I have sneakers, but why would I collect them?  I failed to understand just how un-hip I was, as I was unaware of the subculture that exists pertaining too sneaker collecting.

Yes, I've heard the stories of kids paying hundreds of dollars for Air Jordan's and even crimes being committed in the name of possessing another persons shoe, but again, Jay collecting sneakers, simply did not register.

Now I get it.

Perusing the web is always interesting, especially when you stumble on to something that you didn't even know existed.  There is a website called solecollector.com and on it right now is a featured interview with the Cardinals lead off hitter.

In the interview we learn how Jay first got into this most unique of hobbies.  According to Jon, "I think I always liked sneakers since I was little. I can remember back in elementary school my best friend and I always had the "Deions" or Jordans that came out, or whatever the hot shoe was at the time. I remember getting the "Rod Woodsons" (Nike Air Bowl Trainer). The list goes on. We were always into shoes, we always liked them, you know?

Now I know.

Hopefully when the Cardinals return home, Jay will allow us to show you more of his collection.  Till then, enjoy his feature interview courtesy of solecollector.com


(ksdk.com)

JUPITER, Fla. -- Center fielder Jon Jay picked up a new hobby over the offseason, a hobby that he said could have a payoff on the conditioning side.

A lifelong Miami resident, Jay tried his hand at paddleboarding, a water sport in which a rider lies on a board and uses his or her arms to maneuver through waves. Jay bought two paddleboards, he said, and made regular visits to the Atlantic Ocean to experiment with them.

But what began merely as a form of active entertainment became a workout tool for the Cardinals outfielder.

"It's a great core workout, so it allowed me to work out and have a good time at the same time," Jay said. "Even before I left to come to camp, instead of being so much in the weight room, I tried to do more paddleboarding. It worked out well. I knew I would be in the weight room a lot when I got here, and so that broke the workouts up and still provided good core work."


(mlb.com)

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Long before he found himself in a holding pattern at the professional level, Jon Jay had learned the necessity of waiting his turn.

It started during his days at Columbus (Fla.) High School, when, despite being a talented teenage player, he didn't even make the junior varsity team as a freshman. He joined the varsity his sophomore year but didn't start until his junior season. Such was the reality for players trying to break into one of the Miami area's elite high school programs.

As a senior, Jay was a member of a state championship team.

He expected to wait at the University of Miami too, signing a letter of intent at a school that, at the time, had four junior outfielders. Jay didn't care. It's where he wanted to play. Circumstances -- two transfers and an injury -- created an immediate opening for him, even though Jay had already braced to wait.

He finished his collegiate career a three-time All-American.

"I didn't have the best tools out there, but I did what I needed to do as a college player to prove myself," Jay recently recalled. "I've always looked at things as a challenge. At a young age, I learned to understand how the business side of this sport goes."

It all prepared Jay for his professional path, which, after a quick climb to Triple-A, stalled because of the absence of an immediate fit with the big league club. Jay, who turned 28 on March 15, spent parts of three seasons with Memphis. When he was finally summoned to St. Louis in 2010, he bounced around the outfield, filling in as needed.

It wasn't until the Cardinals dealt center fielder Colby Rasmus at the 2011 Trade Deadline that Jay finally sensed the Cardinals committing to him. He prepares for the 2013 regular season having proven his value as an everyday center fielder, much in the same way that Allen Craig has finally found his everyday job at first base.

"It might not have been as fast as we would have liked it to have been, but we were patient and worked hard," Jay said of his and Craig's journey to the Majors. "We did what we needed to do, and instead of pouting about it, we worked every day. Now, it's nice to come into the season as a starter, even though it doesn't change how hard I work. But you know the role. You know what to expect. You know in Spring Training, exactly what you need to do to get ready."

Jay, who made a diving catch to save a run against the Mets on Thursday, solidified his credentials as a capable Major League center fielder last season. He became just the third outfielder in Cardinals history (minimum 108 games) to play errorless defense. And, as manager Mike Matheny describes it, Jay took over the task of "quarterbacking" in the outfield.

Despite playing between two outfielders -- Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran -- with a combined 24 years of service time and 15 All-Star appearances, Jay willingly took charge.

"That's not an easy transition, especially when you have guys of that caliber around you," Matheny said. "It's hard to jump in and really take that leadership role, but I think that's part of his natural makeup. He has those leadership characteristics in him. It was something he was excited about this offseason to kick it to another level."

This spring, Jay also found guidance in guest instructors Jim Edmonds and Willie McGee. The three analyzed ballparks, hitters and approaches together in a way Jay said he never had before.

"That's what comes with being a center fielder," Jay said. "You have to take ownership. You really have to step up. I think that's what makes the great center fielders great. They play fearless out there. They take charge. They're not afraid to say, 'I messed up.'"

Jay's leadership has been evident this spring -- even off the outfield grass, as he's taken the initiative of being a buddy to prospect Oscar Taveras. He's an accountability partner of sorts, helping Taveras learn how to read hitters' swings, how to adapt his positioning and how to play with maturity.

He's been a combination of teacher and friend.

"I look up to Jay," Taveras said through a translator. "I feel more confident out there now. I like how he's aggressive out there on balls."

Matheny recently instructed Taveras to watch how Jay approached something as innocuous as shagging balls during batting practice. Matheny wanted Taveras to see the effort, yes, but also the enjoyment.

"He's doing everything short of diving in batting practice," Matheny recalled. "He loves to do this. He's out there going hard for one round of batting practice. That's his plan. He's just out there like a kid enjoying the game of baseball."

Something interesting has happened, too, Matheny noted. Taveras has started to mimic Jay's pregame seriousness.

While solid on defense, Jay will again be asked to spark the offense. With Rafael Furcal out for the season, Jay is set to hit leadoff, a spot where he took half of his at-bats in 2012. He finished the year tied for fourth in the National League among leadoff hitters with a .303 average.

On a team not constructed around speed, Jay brings that element. He led the Cardinals with 19 stolen bases last season and has been testing his limits and leads throughout Grapefruit League play. The Cardinals have encouraged him to be advantageous, but not reckless. They value having him on base more than they do the extra 90 feet.

This concept of taking advantage of opportunities should come natural to Jay -- it's the same path he walked to get here.

"I knew everything would work itself out here in this organization," he said. "There was not another organization that I wanted to be with. It's paid off."


(mlb.com)

JUPITER, Fla. • Cardinals center fielder Jon Jay signed a contract with the club this morning for the 2013 season, but the conversations could have been much different if only for five more days of service time.

Jay fell that many days shy of being eligible for arbitration.

As a result, Jay fell into the cluster of players on the Cardinals' 40-man roster with less than three years of service time. Unlike an arbitration-eligible player, who can use that process to increase his salary, players with less than three years of service time have no leverage during the process.

The team can enter into negotiations in good faith, but if a deal isn't agreed upon by the deadline — which arrives in early March — the team has the right to impose a salary on the player.

Jay made $504,000 last year as the returning center fielder from a World Series team. Terms of his new deal were not immediately known, but he will be one of the highest-paid players for the Cardinals with less than three years of service time in recent years.

Jay took over as the team's leadoff hitter last season and finished the year with a .305 average and a .375 on-base percentage in 117 games. He scored 70 runs for the Cardinals.

From an article that ran in October about Jay falling just short of the arbitration rights that, for example, teammate David Freese used to command a raise from around $500,000 to more than $3 million for the coming season:

Last month, the center fielder heard from his agent that he would fall less than a week shy of qualifying for arbitration this winter. This week it was announced that "Super Two" status was given to the players between two and three years of experience with the top 22 percent of service time.

Under the agreement between the union and the leagues last November, the bar this offseason was set at two years, 139 days. Jay has two years, 134 days. Those five days mean Jay won't have access to arbitration to raise his salary for 2013 and the Cardinals will have control of him for another four seasons.

"I came into the year knowing the situation. It doesn't change anything for me," Jay said. "I don't take anything for granted. I know how this game is. You've seen it a lot with guys in other years. You're in. You're out. I work hard to stay consistent. That stuff takes care of itself."

The Cardinals are working their way through the contracts for the players with less than three years of service time who are on the 40-man roster. That group includes first baseman Allen Craig, second baseman Daniel Descalso, and starting candidates Trevor Rosenthal and Joe Kelly.


(stltoday.com)

JUPITER — Jon Jay likes to compare the “aura” that surrounds the two teams on which he has spent the majority of his baseball career.

The St. Louis Cardinals’ center fielder says there is a prestige attached to the University of Miami and dismisses any notion that the Hurricanes have been tainted by the ongoing NCAA investigation and ties to a more recent performance-enhancing drug probe.

The Cardinals tradition and popularity, he says, speak for themselves and is something that he was prepared for after spending three years at Miami.
“Any little thing that happens at Miami and they’re under the microscope,” Jay said. “Just like here.”

But that microscope on Miami is sharper than ever.

Jay has followed the Nevin Shapiro scandal and the recent reports that former Miami baseball players — including Brewers All-Star Ryan Braun, who was a teammate of Jay’s — received PEDs from a now defunct clinic that was operating not far from the Miami campus.

But Jay believes his alma mater gets unfairly singled out.

“It’s a combination of everything, being in the city of Miami everybody knows it’s a party town, the stuff that happened in the ‘80s,” Jay said. “Things come up all over the country and I think they kind of pick and choose where they come out. I just say, ‘be fair.”’

Jay, 27, calls the day he was offered a scholarship from Miami as “one of the top moments of my life,” one that undoubtedly includes the day he won a World Series.

“I wanted to go to UM ever since I could remember,” Jay said. “When they called it was a no-brainier. I said, ‘yes, I’m coming.’ I don’t even have to take a visit.”

That’s because Jay, who graduated from Miami-Columbus High, spent his youth attending games at Mark Light Stadium and the Orange Bowl and, more recently, has been a regular at the BankUnited Center to see the Hurricanes resurgent basketball program.

Jay became a star at UM, twice earning All-America honors (2005-06). Miami advanced to two College World Series in Jay’s three years.

Jay was selected in the second round of the 2006 draft by St. Louis and made his big-league debut in 2010. But it wasn’t until a year and a half later, when the Cardinals traded Colby Rasmus, a former first-round pick, to the Blue Jays that Jay was handed the center field job.

“I talked a lot last year about how he grew as a player and grew into the role of center field,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “He made huge strides, and over this winter he’s taken that further as far as realizing he’s in that next generation of guys coming along. I think he’s as good as any center fielder in the game.”

Jay hit .297 in 2011 and solidified the Cardinals outfield on their way to winning the World Series. But it was last year that he took charge, anchoring an outfield that included Carlos Beltran in right and Matt Holliday in left, and finishing with a .306 average and .373 on-base percentage while hitting leadoff most of the games he played.

Rasmus? He hit .223 with a .289 on base percentage.

Beltran, a 15-year veteran, including 11 in center field, lauded Jay for his leadership skills. He also believes Jay one day will join him as a Gold Glove winner.

“He’s all about learning,” Beltran said. “Every day he comes to the ballpark he comes with the mentality of getting better. I know how demanding center field is. The kid has the desire. He’s going to be a good one.”


(palmbeachpost.com)

When St. Louis Cardinals center-fielder Jon Jay left St. Louis in October after a crushing defeat by the San Francisco Giants after squandering a 3-1 series lead in the NLCS, he wasn't satisfied.

"I'm all fun, I like to have fun," Jay said Saturday from Roger Dean Stadium, the Cardinals Spring Training facility, in Jupiter, Fla. "But, when I step on the field, especially in Spring Training, it's time to work."

In 2011, his first full season in the majors, Jay tasted victory.

In 2012, he tasted defeat.

"Knowing you're so close to achieving something so great -- it hurt a lot," he said.

Now, in 2013, he has one mission -- win another world championship.

"Just having that sour taste in my mouth last year from being one win away from the World Series -- that's my drive," Jay said. "Yeah, we won the year before but you can never rest on that."

While 2011 made for fond memories, his goal is to keep them as just that as he moves forward in his career.

Jay said he believes it's all about giving yourself a chance and doing your best to put your team in a position to win. With that said, he believes this team has a good shot at re-visiting that late season magic of the past two seasons.

"We get into October with the guys we have on this team," he said. "Obviously health is a big issue, just like with every other team, but if we go out there and we do what we can do I think we have a good possibility."

A big part of that stems from what Jay believes is simply the "Cardinal Way." He said it's not about talking a big game, but about walking out on the field day after day and giving your everything.

The key for Jay is always looking back and telling yourself you can be better than that.

Over the years, the Cardinals have had many players who helped to make the Cardinal way what it is today. It's an idea that comes from generation after generation of players who excelled not only on the field, but in life as well.

"I'm just a little piece of that, I've only been here three years, going on my fourth. I'm trying to keep that legacy going now," Jay said. "Rest in peace, that's what [Stan] Musial did."

There's even one current Cardinal that Jay said exemplifies what it means to be not just good, but great -- Yadier Molina.

Molina's offensive explosion in 2012 took him a step beyond being a fantastic defensive player.

"Yadi could have rested on exactly what he did three years ago, but he's become one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball," Jay said. "He's the best catcher in baseball and that's where you want to get. You want to be the best at every facet of the game. You see him here at 5:30 a.m. every day working in the cage, working on the field. Does he need to do that? In reality, no."

Jay said what Molina does is setting an example for the younger players, himself included. That, he says, is what makes a Cardinal -- and what makes a champion.

With his success in 2012, Jay's name was mentioned in Gold Glove discussions and alongside with impressive defensive players of the past. The humble young player from the University of Miami said he refuses to let that go to his head.

"I told everyone it's nice to be mentioned in those categories, but that's not my ultimate goal," Jay said. "My ultimate goal is to win championships. I know if I go out there, stay healthy and stay in the lineup all year, then good things are going to come."

He did say it was a real honor to have been mentioned that way in his first year as a starting center-fielder.

Right now, his focus is on becoming a better all around player. That's what he believes it takes to win championships.

"Wherever I'm hitting I've really got to own that role," Jay said. "If we all do that, it's going to be a positive thing. It's not about the numbers.

"That's the way we won in 2011," he said. "It takes more than just one guy on a team. It takes all 25 guys to win."


(dailystatesman.com)

(KSDK Sports) - Even before he took over the starting job in center field from Colby Rasmus, Jon Jay's demeanor was that of a young man having fun, who still hadn't fully come to grips with the fact that his dream of making it as a major leaguer was coming true.

It's true Jon.

And in year four of his career, it's possible that Jay understands he's arrived. The smile is still there, but there appears to be a new seriousness as well. That seriousness may be the result of unfinished business. Remember, the Cardinals were one win away from a return to the World Series. Jay wants to get back there. Bad.

Overall in 2012, Jay hit for a .305 avg. a .373 on base percentage a .400 slugging average with a .773 On Base plus Slugging percentage. That's certainly a respectable line score and already more than was expected from him coming into 2012.

MIAMI -- The passing of Hall of Famers Stan Musial and Earl Weaver saddened baseball fans across the world last week.

In Miami, baseball fans also mourned the death of legendary University of Miami head coach Ron Fraser. The "Wizard of College Baseball" passed away last Sunday at the age of 79 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.

Fraser, who won two national championships at Miami, revolutionized college baseball and had a huge impact on the lives of young men growing up in Miami who dreamed of one day becoming Hurricanes.

"I have pictures of myself at Ron Fraser Baseball Camp on the old turf field," said Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay. "That's really where I started to fall in love with UM. Ever since then, I always wore my UM cap everywhere I went."

Jay is one of several Miami natives in the big leagues who grew up watching Fraser's Canes dominate college baseball. The 27-year-old remembers meeting Fraser as a child and spending time with him in his three years playing at Miami.

"Ron Fraser reinvented the college game," Jay said. "He's somebody that really made his mark and changed college baseball forever. It's a big loss."

Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso, who was a teammate with Jay at Miami, remembers the moments he spent with Fraser fondly.

"I got to hear a lot of stories," Alonso said. "He would come around and talk to us. Obviously, it's a sad moment for us as Hurricanes and for baseball in general. He was a great coach, one of the greatest ever in the NCAA. As a player and a fan, you feel very sorry for his passing. He was such a great inspiration for the Hurricanes, and he's in a better place now."

Alonso was one of several big leaguers who attended the second annual Jon Jay Celebrity Bowling Challenge at Lucky Strike Lanes in Miami Beach on Saturday. Cardinals infielders David Freese and Daniel Descalso, Astros infielder Tyler Greene, Phillies outfielder John Mayberry, White Sox outfielder Blake Tekotte, Orioles catcher Luis Exposito and Nationals first baseman Chris Marrero were just some of the nearly 30 baseball players who came out to support Jay as he raised more than $30,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade.

"All those people are good people," Jay said. "I try to surround myself with good people. I can't thank them enough because without them, this event wouldn't be possible."

Jay often takes the opportunity to give back in his hometown. Last year, Jay's Bowling Challenge raised more than $25,000 for Chapman Partnership, a local group that helps Miami's homeless. This year, Jay decided to give back to a place that is very special to him.

"The Boys' Club is really where I grew up," Jay said. "It's where I played ball and went after school. That's a place that had a big impact on me, and I just want to provide the same opportunity for other kids."

Jay, who hit .305 and played stellar defense for the Cardinals last season, is pleased with how the Celebrity Bowling Challenge has grown and hopes to continue his charitable efforts for years to come.

"We're excited about it," Jay said. "Last year, it was kind of put together quickly, but this year, we were able to plan it with a little more time and it's been successful. I'm so happy for the support the community has given me. This is where I was born and raised. I wouldn't be where I am without a lot of people that are here today. It's nice to get everyone together and have a good time for a good cause."


(mlb.com)

Jon Jay Bowling Challenge Benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade
Saturday, Jan. 26, 6-9 p.m.
Lucky Strike Lanes 1691 Michigan Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33139
Individual tickets: $450 per bowling team (five guests will be matched with a celebrity) and $100 per person (singles will be randomly matched with other single entries/celebrities.)
For sponsorship or additional event information, call Tom Hagan at CAA Sports at 212-277-9000 or thagan@caa.com .
To purchase individual tickets and more information: visit www.jonjaychallenge.com .
5:45 p.m. Red carpet arrivals/media availability
6:15 p.m. Cocktails/hors d’oeuvres/introductions
6:45 p.m. Bowling Challenge begins
8:30 p.m. Silent Auction Ends
8:45 p.m. Winners announced

Annual Jon Jay Bowling Challenge, presented by FMSbonds, Inc., Featuring Jay, Other Star Athletes & Celebrities, to Benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade  
Jay, St. Louis Cardinals Outfielder and Miami Native, to Host Event Open to the Public at Lucky Strike Lanes in Miami Beach

Jon Jay, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder and Miami native, will host his 2nd Annual Celebrity Bowling Challenge. Proceeds will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade to support its many positive programs for 10,000 area youth.

Along with other Major League Baseball stars, star athletes and celebrities, Jay will bowl with attendees during the fun-filled fundraising event. The evening will include red carpet arrivals, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, exciting bowling matches and more. Sponsorships are available.

Athletes and celebrities in attendance will be David Freese, 3rd baseman, St. Louis Cardinals, 2011 World Series MVP; Yonder Alonso, 1st baseman, San Diego Padres; Blake Tekotte, outfielder, Chicago White Sox; Daniel Descalso, infielder, St. Louis Cardinals; Tyler Greene, infielder, Houston Astros; John Mayberry Jr., outfielder, Philadelphia Phillies; Cesar Carrillo, pitcher, Detroit Tigers; Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints tight end; and Bryan Greenberg, actor, HBO How to Make It in America.

“We’re very thankful to Jon Jay for choosing Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade to receive proceeds from this fun event,” said Alex Rodriguez-Roig, executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. “With the efforts of individuals such as Jon, we continue to make a difference in the lives of many area youth.” 

“I played baseball at the Boys & Girls Club for years, so I’m thrilled about the opportunity to give back to an organization that has meant so much to me,” said Jay.

ST. LOUIS -- Both Matt Holliday and Jon Jay, bothered by nagging injuries during the 2012 season, said this weekend that they are confident that there are no lingering effects from their respective issues.

Though Holliday never went on the disabled list, he was bothered by back tightness at various times last year. Holliday still insists that "it wasn't that big of a deal," though Cardinals manager Mike Matheny has identified Holliday as one of the players he will be more proactive in sitting in order to reduce the chance of injury this year.

Holliday's winter workout regimen has included therapy and strength exercises that have specifically targeted his lower back.

Jay did have a stint on the DL due to a left shoulder strain sustained when he ran into the outfield wall. Issues with that shoulder lingered for much of the season, though Jay on Sunday declared himself "100 percent."

He had his shoulder looked at by the club's medical staff before heading home for the winter, and everything checked out as it should have. That allowed Jay to then undertake a normal workout program.


(mlb.com)

Jon Jay, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder and Miami native, will host his 2nd Annual Celebrity Bowling Challenge. Proceeds will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade to support its many positive programs for 10,000 area youth.

Along with other Major League Baseball stars, Jay will bowl with attendees during the fun-filled fundraising event. The evening will include red carpet arrivals, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, exciting bowling matches and more. Sponsorships are available.  

“We’re very thankful to Jon Jay for choosing Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade to receive proceeds from this fun event,” said Alex Rodriguez-Roig, executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. “With the efforts of individuals such as Jon, we continue to make a difference in the lives of many area youth.”

“I played baseball at the Boys & Girls Club for years, so I’m thrilled about the opportunity to give back to an organization that has meant so much to me,” said Jay.

When:
Saturday, Jan. 26, 6-9 p.m.
5:45 p.m.         Red carpet arrivals/media availability
6:15 p.m.         Cocktails/hors d’oeuvres/introductions
6:45 p.m.         Bowling Challenge begins
8:30 p.m.         Winners announced

Where:
Lucky Strike Lanes
1691 Michigan Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Cost/Sponsorships: Individual tickets: $450 per bowling team (five guests will be matched with a celebrity) and $100 per person (singles will be randomly matched with other single entries/celebrities.)
 
Sponsorships: World Series Sponsorship ($5,000): Corporate/logo recognition on all marketing materials, corporate signage and the opportunity to include corporate products and/or literature during the event, 12 autographed baseballs by Jay and all MLB players in attendance, two bowling teams (10 people total)
Extra Innings Lane Sponsorship ($1,500): Corporate/logo recognition on all marketing materials, the opportunity to include corporate products and/or literature during the event, one bowling team (five people)

How: For sponsorship or additional event information, call Tom Hagan at CAA Sports at 212-277-9000 or thagan@caa.com. To purchase individual tickets and more information: visit www.jonjaychallenge.com.

Every Thursday Night proCanes.com joins All Canes Radio to bring the latest news on not only current Hurricane football but also proCane news and exclusive interviews with current and former proCanes live from Shake Shack in Coral Gables.

Click here to listen to this week’s show and hear our exclusive interviews with proCanes Richard Giannotti, Kyle Bellamy and World Series Champion Jon Jay. Listen as Giannotti talks about his University of Miami Baseball career, what brought him to the []_[], his travels through the minor leagues and his clothing company bubucheek. Bellamy talks to us about what it was like to change his pitching style, what playing for the White Sox organization is like and his hopes for the coming season. Jay tells us what it’s like to win a World Series, play with Abert Pujols, his favorite memories from his Hurricane days and much more!

ST. LOUIS - Jon Jay may win a Gold Glove at some point in his career. It won’t come this year.

Rawlings announced the finalists for the Gold Glove Awards Monday and the talented Cardinals outfielder was not among the three National League finalists for center field.  Selected instead were Michael Bourn of the Atlanta Braves, Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Drew Stubbs of the Cincinnati Reds.

Voting was done by managers and up to six coaches per team. They are not allowed to vote for players on their own team.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny campaigned numerous times for Jay to be considered for a Gold Glove Award. Jay didn’t commit an error in the regular season and made several highlight reel catches near or at the wall in center field.

Working against Jay was the fact that he only played in 117 games due a shoulder injury suffered while slamming into the wall in April.

Catcher Yadier Molina was the only Cardinals player listed among the finalists. He’s going for his fifth straight Gold Glove Award.

The awards will be announced Tuesday night at 8 p.m. CT. Former Cardinals shortstop Ozzie Smith will participate in the presentation.

Here is the complete list of finalists for both leagues:

National League

Pitcher: Bronson Arroyo, Reds; Mark Buehrle, Marlins; Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
Catcher: Yadier Molina, Cardinals; Miguel Montero, Diamondbacks; Carlos Ruiz, Phillies
First base: Freddie Freeman, Braves; Adam LaRoche, Nationals; Joey Votto, Reds
Second base: Darwin Barney, Cubs; Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks; Brandon Phillips, Reds
Third base: Chase Headley, Padres; Aramis Ramirez, Brewers; David Wright, Mets
Shortstop: Zack Cozart, Reds; Ian Desmond, Nationals; Jose Reyes, Marlins; Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
Left field: Ryan Braun, Brewers; Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies; Martin Prado, Braves
Center field: Michael Bourn, Braves; Andrew McCutchen, Pirates; Drew Stubbs, Reds
Right field: Jay Bruce, Reds; Andre Ethier, Dodgers; Jason Heyward, Braves

American League

Pitcher: Jeremy Hellickson, Rays; Jake Peavy, White Sox; C.J. Wilson, Angels
Catcher: Alex Avila, Tigers; Russell Martin, Yankees; A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox; Matt Wieters, Orioles
First base: Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox; Eric Hosmer, Royals; Mark Teixeira, Yankees
Second base: Dustin Ackley, Mariners; Robinson Cano, Yankees; Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
Third base: Adrian Beltre, Rangers; Brandon Inge, A's; Mike Moustakas, Royals
Shortstop: Elvis Andrus, Rangers; J.J. Hardy, Orioles; Brendan Ryan, Mariners
Left field: Alex Gordon, Royals; Desmond Jennings, Rays; David Murphy, Rangers
Center field: Austin Jackson, Tigers; Adam Jones, Orioles; Mike Trout, Angels
Right field: Shin-Soo Choo, Indians; Jeff Francoeur, Royals; Josh Reddick, A's


(foxsportsmidwest.com)

It happened early in spring, perhaps even the first time they met as teammates, and its importance carried all the way through October.

Carlos Beltran, who has three Gold Glove Awards as souvenirs from his time as a center fielder, approached Jon Jay, the Cardinals' full-time center fielder for the first time. Jay had been thinking all offseason about how he needed to be more assertive in center. He wanted to lead more, yield less. And here was the Cardinals' new right fielder, one of the finest center fielders of his generation, coming to him with some words of advice.

"Hey, do your thing out there," he said, as Jay recalled. "You're the center fielder."

Emboldened by that role and encouraged by the two veterans flanking him, Beltran and left fielder Matt Holliday, Jay emerged this season as what manager Mike Matheny called "the quarterback of the outfield." Jay started 108 games in center, led the team in highlight-reel catches and went the entire regular season without committing an error. He will at least be a finalist for the Gold Glove Award and could win his first — a fact that his manager, general manager and even teammates trace back to what he first did in spring training.

He took charge.

"The largest area of improvement was really just him taking control of the outfield," Matheny said. "That's a pretty tough spot for a young player to be put into when you have Matt Holliday on one side and Carlos Beltran on the other with a lot of accolades on their shelves. He took control and that's a huge part of the position: (don't) be afraid to tell a guy, 'Hey, you need to get closer to the line.' They certainly have respect for Jon and his instincts now, and that's a huge step forward."

Added Jay: "I think it was having the chance to know I was going to be out there more, knowing that I was going to get the time to prove myself."

Time worked for Jay. It only recently worked against him.

Last month, the center fielder heard from his agent that he would fall less than a week shy of qualifying for arbitration this winter. This week it was announced that "Super Two" status was given to the players between two and three years of experience with the top 22 percent of service time.

Under the agreement between the union and the leagues last November, the bar this offseason was set at two years, 139 days. Jay has two years, 134 days. Those five days mean Jay won't have access to arbitration to raise his salary for 2013 and the Cardinals will have control of him for another four seasons.

"I came into the year knowing the situation. It doesn't change anything for me," Jay said. "I don't take anything for granted. I know how this game is. You've seen it a lot with guys in other years. You're in. You're out. I work hard to stay consistent. That stuff takes care of itself."

Jay speaks from experience because he's often been the player who was in while others were out. In 2010, his play as the fourth outfielder allowed the Cardinals to trade Ryan Ludwick for Jake Westbrook. In 2011, Jay outplayed Colby Rasmus in center and that led, in part, to a deal that sent Rasmus to Toronto and instantly steeled the bullpen for an October run. In 2012, Jay took over as the everyday center fielder, and he'll return as the incumbent in 2013 — but there may be a challenger on the horizon.

Oscar Taveras, 20, is being developed as a center fielder, and on Thursday general manager John Mozeliak called him "one of the most prolific hitters I've seen in our organization probably since Albert Pujols." Taveras won the Texas League's equivalent of most valuable player award after batting .321 with 23 home runs, 94 RBIs and a organization-high .572 slugging percentage. In six games already this fall for the Dominican Winter League, Taveras has a .364 average with two homers. Projected initially as a right fielder, Taveras has improved enough for the team to think his athletic ability will translate to center.
Although Taveras will come to big-league spring training in 2013, that doesn't mean he'll arrive as a center fielder or that he'll leave spring with the major-league club.

That takes time.

"That's a great question, frankly," Mozeliak said when asked how a young player could take control of the demanding position. "That should be what drives the answer. It is the hardest position to play as a rookie. When you think about getting Taveras in the mix I'm not sure what that looks like."

What it means for Jay is the very thing that allowed him to stand out and take over as center fielder for the Cardinals is what will keep him there.

He seized control of the role.

"Right now, he's our center fielder," Mozeliak said. "And he played like it."

Jay started the final 41 games of the regular season in center and all of the 13 playoff games. He will have his right shoulder re-examined soon to assure that the injury he sustained in April doesn't have lingering effects. Jay also took over at leadoff when Rafael Furcal faltered, and the lefthanded-hitting outfielder batted .303 in the top spot. Though a .224 average and a .289 on-base percentage on the road was a riddle, and hole in his season. Jay doesn't plan to spend much time this winter fretting about that extreme split, focusing instead on improving his approach at leadoff and his angles in the field.

He sees winning a Gold Glove much as he views falling short of arbitration: It takes time. Often a stellar defensive season puts the player in the conversation first and the Gold Glove doesn't follow until a year later — if the fielder earns the opportunity for an encore.

"I understand how all this stuff works," Jay said. "I know how this game is — you have to wait your turn. You have to put in your time, pay your dues. ... You put in your time, your work, and you wait patiently and then your time comes."


(stltoday.com)

That Cardinals leadoff man Jon Jay has struggled at the plate in the postseason is undeniable. Also undeniable: the Cardinals have played seven games on the road and just four at home.

Playing a second straight game in St. Louis on Thursday, Jay went 2-for-5 with a two-run double in the Cardinals’ 8-3 win over the Giants. It raised his postseason average to .195.

In 2012, Jay has simply been a different player at home. In the regular season, he had one of the more dramatic splits you’ll ever see:
Home: .384/.453/.496 in 224 AB
Away: .224/.289/.301 in 219 AB

It’s carried over into October, too. He’s 5-for-16 with six RBI in home games and 3-for-25 with one RBI the rest of the time.

Of course, most likely, this whole thing is one big fluke. Busch Stadium isn’t a hitter friendly park, though it does play better for left-handed hitters than right-handers. Also, Jay was actually better in road games than home games last year.

Still, Jay is probably the happiest of the bunch about the Cardinals possessing home-field advantage in the World Series, should they win one of the next three games and move on. It’d be the first time in the postseason that they’d have home field.


(nbcsports.com)

ST. LOUIS -- They say there is something comforting about being home, but Jon Jay has taken that to the extreme in 2012. Jay's home-road splits would suggest he's thrilled to be back at Busch Stadium, where the center fielder hit .384 and posted a .453 on-base percentage during the regular season.

His numbers outside of St. Louis are hardly comparable. Jay's road batting average is .224; his on-base percentage is only .289. And in a nearly identical number of plate appearances, Jay has walked eight fewer times and struck out 13 more times on the road than he did at Busch Stadium.

"For whatever reason, right now it is trending that direction," manager Mike Matheny said. "But Jon's been such a big pickup for us as far as being able to step into that leadoff spot -- and it's nice he's done it at home. He takes the same approach on the road. He still puts together tough at-bats. I don't see any reason [for the discrepancy], and hopefully he doesn't think more [about] it than he should."

Jay's postseason numbers have so far followed the same trend. While 2-for-8 in two home playoff games, Jay has just four hits in 29 road at-bats. Still, he continues to be a fixture in the leadoff spot, which has been exclusively his since Rafael Furcal went down with a season-ending injury.


(mlb.com)

ST. LOUIS -- Manager Mike Matheny has been plugging Jon Jay's Gold Glove Award candidacy for weeks now, insistent that the Cardinals center fielder has been as steady as anyone at the position this season. Jay topped his personal highlight reel on Monday.

Though the Cards had already built a comfortable lead in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, Jay halted a potential rally-starting moment with a catch he agreed should be labeled the best of his 2012 bunch. Others chimed in with a similarly strong sentiment after St. Louis' 12-4 victory over Washington.

"That's the best catch I've ever seen, all things considered," Cardinals first baseman Allen Craig said. "Just the timing of it. He stuck his glove up at the last second, ran into the wall and held onto it. Everything about it was great."

The grab came in the sixth inning, with the Cards ahead, 7-3, and Danny Espinosa at the plate. Facing rookie reliever Joe Kelly, Espinosa drove a first-pitch fastball to deep left-center. Jay sprinted, looking over his left shoulder as he did, and never slowed down as he reached the warning track.

Jay's glove went up against the wall, and as the ball went in, he collided with the padding. Jay held on to the ball, showing it with his hand as he tumbled to the ground.

"I saw it up there and got a pretty good jump," Jay said. "I got to the warning track and made a choice to jump. I knew I had to make a choice, and I made a jump and I was able to do that."

The leaping catch took away a leadoff extra-base hit from Espinosa, who entered the at-bat 0-for-4 in the series.

"When I hit that ball, I thought it was for sure over his head," Espinosa said. "I thought I got enough of it to actually hit it out. He went a long way and made a great play."

The sellout crowd of 45,840 gave Jay an extended ovation as he returned to his position in center. The play was shown several times on the Busch Stadium video board. Jay heard augmented applause again when he came to bat in the bottom half of the inning.

"I definitely appreciated it," Jay said of the recognition. "It was great for the fans to show their support like that. I've never had a stadium get that loud for me doing something. That was definitely something special."

Jay's night, while punctuated by that catch, was not entirely defined by it. The leadoff hitter reached base three times, drove in three runs and scored one. Two of his RBIs came with two out.

Jay maintained an aggressiveness on the basepaths, too. Though he was thrown out trying to extend a single into a two-base hit in the second, Jay swiped a base and legged out a triple later in the game.

Though his offensive contributions on Monday had a greater impact on the outcome, Jay's Game 2 performance will nevertheless be remembered for the moment in which he shined in the field.

"He's been so consistent in the outfield making the routine play, but the biggest thing about him is how he's taken charge in the outfield," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "He's truly been quarterbacking and improving, and it's fun to watch him do his thing."




(sbnation.com)

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Jon Jay hit a go-ahead RBI double during a three-run 12th inning and the St. Louis Cardinals split of a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, beating them 5-2 on Sunday and regaining undisputed possession of the second NL wild card spot.

John Ely (0-2) issued a leadoff walk to Matt Carpenter and Jay drove him on from second base with a line drive into the right field corner on an 0-2 pitch. Jay scored on an infield hit up the middle by Allen Craig and Yadier Molina walked with the bases loaded.

Rookie Shelby Miller (1-0) pitched one inning for his first major league victory.


(kmov.com)

Jon Jay is getting the danged thing done as the Cardinals’ leadoff hitter. In what was easily one of the best moves made by Mike Matheny this season, the manager moved Jay to the No. 1 spot in the second week of August. Jay took over for a slumping Rafael Furcal who moved down to 7th or 8th in the lineup. In 27 games and 126 plate appearances as the leadoff man, Jay is batting .333 with a .419 onbase percentage and a solid .463 slugging percentage. Though it’s a much smaller sample size, Jay’s OPS in the No. 1 slot (.882) is better than the .691 OPS posted by Furcal in the leadoff position.

Jay also continues to rule over at Busch Stadium as if it’s his private backyard. In 205 plate appearances at home this season, Jay is batting .378 with a .460 OBP and .500 SLG for a .960 OPS.


(stltoday.com)

ST. LOUIS — First-year Cardinals manager Mike Matheny doesn't know all the particulars of how voting for the Gold Gloves work. But he knows his center fielder Jon Jay should be among those getting serious consideration for the award.

In his first full season as the St. Louis Cardinals' everyday center fielder, Jay has continued to impress with highlight reel catches on a seemingly nightly basis. But whether or not the 27-year-old has been around long enough for others to notice remains to be seen.

"I'll lobby for him however I can," Matheny said recently. "I've been more than impressed."

Jay has made at least four running catches near the wall in the past few weeks and continues to track down balls in the gaps with ease. He made a nice running catch Monday night in Pittsburgh near the wall in right-center despite starting on the left field side of center when the pitch was thrown.

Working against the left-handed Jay is the fact that he missed a month earlier in the season while on the disabled list with an injury that happened when he slammed into the wall in late April. A rare miscue, Jay reached the wall a step before he anticipated and slammed his shoulder awkwardly into the center-field fence.

But the injury makes his recent play even more impressive. Some young players may become hesitant near the wall after suffering a serious injury on a similar play. But Jay charges back toward the wall as if nothing ever happen. And he's been making play after play of late.

"You can't think about it," Jay said. "This game, you have to play it hard and that's how I play it. I'm not thinking about that. I'm not thinking about how I got hurt last time and stuff. I learned from it and I'm trying to go out there mentally ready."

According to the website FanGraphs.com, Jay ranks sixth among National League center fielders with 57 "out of zone" plays, or plays that would be considered tougher than average for a normal center fielder. But Jay has played only 695 innings, 200 fewer than any of the five players ahead of him.

Compare Jay's 57 "out of zone" plays in 695 innings and his percentage of plays per time on the field would move him to No. 1 on the list. Currently, Michael Bourn, Angel Pagan, Cameron Maybin, Shane Victorino and Andrew McCutchen rank ahead of him. Only Bourn and Victorino have won Gold Gloves in their career.

Also working against Jay is the fact that it usually takes an extra year or two for a deserving player to win. Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, who has won four consecutive Gold Gloves, didn't win his first until 2008 despite being seen as the best defensive catcher in the league for at least the two previous seasons.

Still, his manager thinks he's been one of the best defensive outfielders he's seen this season and hopes others take notice as well.  

"I can't imagine that he won't get some consideration, only because of the highlight reel catches he's been able to make and that consistency," Matheny said. "He's making the plays he needs to make."

The first-year skipper challenged the fact that Jay doesn't have the playing time the other top outfielders do saying: "He's played a lot too. He wasn't shut down that long, and he's made enough good plays that have gotten national attention too that people will take a look at the statistics.

"I just have a hard time coming across, as you kind of go through the league, many guys that are better.”

The decision rests with the managers and coaches of the National League. The managers and coaches of each league vote on the awards, and they aren't allowed to vote for their own players.

Matheny admits that even though it shouldn't, "offense always counts" when it comes to the Gold Glove awards. And while Jay may not have the home runs or RBI that some other candidates have, he's hitting a respectable .312 following a 1-for-4 night on Tuesday.

But the award is for defense, and Jay has done plenty of late to throw his name in the hat.

"When you talk about the impact defensively a player has made," Matheny said, "I just can't imagine anybody is having more of an impact than he is."

At some point, Jay appears destined to win a Gold Glove. Whether or not the coaches around the league feel impressed enough to make it happen this year remains to be seen.


(foxsportsmidwest.com)

Cardinals center fielder Jon Jay went 1-for-5 with an RBI single and a run scored in Sunday's win over the Reds.

Spin: Jay has been hitting the ball well over a seven-game hitting streak, batting .389 (14-for-36) with six runs scored, two doubles and three RBIs. The outfielder now has 18 RBIs since the All-Star break -- five more than he had in the first half in three fewer games played.


(fantasysp.com)

Center fielder Jon Jay almost single-handedly turned the Cardinals' 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead in Wednesday's fifth inning.

The Cardinals' leadoff hitter built on consecutive three-hit games by scoring Rafael Furcal with a one-out single, taking second on a wayward throw home, advancing to third base on Matt Carpenter's right-side grounder, then scoring on Astros pitcher Bud Norris' short-hop pitch.

Jay singled in the third and fifth inning and stole his way into scoring position after the first hit. He exited the fifth inning 10-for-30 on the current home stand. He has 28 hits this month and now leads the club with 14 steals. Jay entered the sixth inning 8-for-17 in his last three games.

Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse has settled after allowing two early solo home runs. However, Jay bailed him out of a potential sixth-inning jam with a running basket catch against the outfield wall to rob Brett Wallace of extra bases. Jay received a standing ovation from the Busch Stadium crowd and  widespread acknowledgement inside the home dugout.

The Cardinals out-hit the Astros 7-3 through 5 1/2 innings. The Cardinals have put six runnners into scoring position. Except for the two home runs, the Astros have pushed only one runner to second base against Lohse.

First baseman Allen Craig extended his hit streak to 11 games with a second-inning single that eventually led to the Cardinals' first run.


(stltoday.com)

Jon Jay stayed red-hot Monday, going 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI in a win over the Diamondbacks.

Jay has now piled up six multi-hit efforts during his eight-game hitting streak, pushing his average up from .284 to .315 during that stretch. He's settled into the leadoff spot for the Cardinals.


(rotoworld.com)

One gradually is being acknowledged as one of the best center field defenders in the game. The other is a good outfielder who gradually has become more than passable at second base.

Together, Jon Jay and Skip Schumaker comprised the defensive backbone of the Cardinals' 8-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Busch Stadium.

The highlight reels will feature Jay's running catch, after a long chase of Stephen Drew's fifth-inning drive. Jay, reaching high, gloved the ball a step or so in front of the wall and then bounced off it.

The ball popped loose but Jay somehow was able to trap it, keeping the ball from falling to the ground and then, with the help of his bare hand, nudging it back into his glove. The ball tried to escape his clutches one more time before he finally corralled it, getting winning pitcher Joe Kelly out of the inning.

Jay, seeking to reduce the explanation to its basics, said, "The ball went up, I ran after it, I caught it. I don't know.

"I had to jump for it and as I was landing, I kind of saw it coming out and I was able to snatch it back. It all happened so fast I was happy to make the catch."

An appreciative Kelly said, "Anything hit out into center field, I feel like there's a play on it every time. The ball could be crushed, laced, whatever. He can lay out or climb walls to rob homers. He enjoys it. It's good to know that when he's out there you can get away with a miss on a pitch."

Manager Mike Matheny said, "(Jay) is as good as anybody right now. The catch against Drew was a terrific jump. He's got great instincts with the ball off the bat. He's making our whole outfield better."

A couple of innings earlier, Jay felt he should have made another catch on Drew, but the ball hit directly at Jay tipped off his glove after he broke a bit late.

"I messed that one up," said Jay. "It's a ball I thought I should have had. Joe did a good job getting a big double play there and I could breathe a little easier."


(mlb.com)

ST. LOUIS -- It appears as if the Cardinals have settled on a new regular leadoff hitter, at least for as long as it takes Rafael Furcal to move past the nagging back stiffness that has coincided with his drop in production.

Manager Mike Matheny plugged Jon Jay into that leadoff spot for a second straight game Thursday. And, encouraged by how Jay has seemingly turned a corner offensively, Matheny seems ready to keep the center fielder there.

"I do like Jon Jay at the top of the lineup, especially with the way he's swinging the bat right now, even against the lefties," Matheny said after the Cardinals' 3-1 win Thursday. "He puts together a good at-bat. He's not afraid to work the count.

"Now, with that being said, I think we all saw where Rafael Furcal, when he is right, what he can do at the top of the lineup, so we're not ruling out that that's going to come back around. But right now it's a good fit for Raffy to sit down in the eight-spot and really work the count. I'm confident he's going to get back there, and we'll have a tough decision about how to use that leadoff spot."

Jay would seem to fit the mold of what the Cardinals are looking for at that top spot in the order. His .383 on-base percentage is third-best on the club, behind only Matt Holliday and Skip Schumaker. Jay, as he displayed Thursday, also has the speed to set up RBI opportunities for the team's middle-of-the-lineup hitters.

Jay swiped two bases Thursday, giving him a team-leading 13 this season.

"Just every day I'm working hard, trying to keep it simple and have good at-bats," said Jay, downplaying any significance to where he hits in the order.
Jay has been getting on base with regularity lately, too. He has notched four straight multi-hit games, going 10-for-15 during that stretch.


(mlb.com)

Jon Jay went 4-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in a win over the Giants on Monday.

All four hits were singles. His two-run single in the bottom of the seventh busted the game open. Jay has struggled quite a bit since returning from the disabled list in late June and figures to sit against lefties, but he can help in deeper mixed formats when he's hot.


(rotoworld.com)

CHICAGO -- Jon Jay's dazzling acrobatic catch on Friday -- a catch that ranks among baseball's best this season -- is just the latest feather in the cap for the Cardinals' center fielder, who has been turning heads with his defensive play all season.

While Jay insists that he does not compare his catches, Friday's backward leap and dive to rob Anthony Rizzo of extra bases has to be at or near the top of Jay's career list. And perhaps it takes such a sensational play to earn Jay the recognition that those in the Cardinals' clubhouse have been insistent he deserves for months now.

"From what I'm seeing, I can't imagine anybody doing any better job than what he has done," manager Mike Matheny said. "He's made all the plays he should make and then made a lot that we never thought he would. He's taking charge out there. Every pitch, he's thinking, moving, directing. To me, that's one of the most valuable things. That's where I've seen him take steps -- that he's leading out there."

Especially impressive is that Jay's leadership has come primarily with veteran All-Stars -- Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran -- to each side. He's done so, too, in what is his first full season as a starter. It was at this time last year that Jay took over as the team's everyday center fielder after the Cardinals traded Colby Rasmus.

"I just go out there and try to help the team win," Jay said. "I definitely take pride in my defense. It's something that I do work on a lot. I want to be a complete player."

The numbers back up the Cardinals' claim that Jay has been one of the league's best at the position. His ultimate zone rating -- a sabermetric statistic that reflects how someone compares to an average player at that position -- of 6.3 is second best among the 14 National League players to log at least 400 innings in center field.

Jay has also yet to commit an error this season.

"This year, I think he came believing that this was his job," Matheny said. "And he wants to do it right."

(mlb.com)

Caught in a timing warp at the plate, Cardinals center fielder Jon Jay swore off video last week, stopped looking at clips of that day's opposing pitcher and sought comfort in the only tool he could trust to reset his swing.

He grabbed a batting tee and started from scratch.

"When you're going bad there are so many things going wrong that I said I'm going to go into the cage and back to basics," Jay said. "Hitting the ball to left field. That's been my bread and butter since I was a little kid. When I'm doing that, good things happen."

Good things such as a career-high four hits Sunday as Jay delivered the first two runs of the Cardinals' 7-0 victory against the Cubs.

Jay snapped a lingering funk with his four-for-four game at Busch Stadium, raising his batting average from .289 to .304 in a single afternoon. His two-run, two-out double in the first inning went to left field, his next two singles went to left field, and his fourth hit was a slow hopper that found a soft spot on, yep, the left side of the infield.

Jay, who had been hitting .213 since returning from a shoulder injury that had put him on the disabled list, said his struggles at the plate reached a point that the only solution was to start over. He stopped looking at his past at-bats for clues on what went wrong or what was right. He stopped scanning video of opposing pitchers so that he didn't cloud his head with a different approach every day. Instead, he retreated to the cage with hitting coaches Mark McGwire and John Mabry and went back to the drills he uses when first starting to hit in the offseason.

Timing was the trick.

When the Cardinals drafted Jay out the University of Miami in 2006, scouts described how he had an unorthodox approach at the plate, but when the pitch arrived, it worked to hit for a high average. Jay had a vigorous hand pump, and there was concern that it might lead to a loop in his swing. He called it his "helicopter hands" because of how they rotate before settling down. He tried to stop the pump entirely in the minors, but returned to a reduced version of it as he reached the majors.

"That swing has a lot of stuff going on it," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said this weekend as he gave Jay a break from the lineup to find his timing. "It's not like he can have somebody tell him, 'Hey, you're doing this.' You can break it down film-wise, but it's a feeling that comes from the right timing. When you have a lot of moving parts in a swing, it's a lot of maintenance. When he gets it right, it's pretty dynamic."

Jay, who separated his shoulder crashing into the wall earlier this season, insisted there was nothing inhibiting his swing physically.

The time off to heal had thrown off his rhythm. He had become jumpy at the plate, less still as the pitcher delivered the pitch, and, he said Sunday, pulled off some of the pitches. By going back to the tee, he was able to work on calming his stance and drive the ball to left field.

Cubs' starter Travis Wood played into his approach.

Wood, a lefty, had held lefthanded batters such as Jay to a .118 average and a .221 slugging percentage this season. Matheny wanted to get some regulars a breather Sunday and that forced him to use Jay; it also highlighted a statistical curiosity in his struggles. Since June 22, the day he returned from the disabled list, Jay was 10 for 50 (.200) against righthanded pitchers with a only two doubles. Against lefties, he had seven hits in his previous 21 at-bats before Sunday, and he was 11 for 25 (.440) after Sunday's win.

Jay said he was able to take advantage of Wood pitching on the outer third of the plate and drive the ball to ... left field. Jay drove a 2-2 pitch from Wood down the left-field line for the two-run double that put the Cardinals ahead 2-0 in the first inning.

"Looks like his timing is getting there," Matheny said. "Big day for his confidence without question. Hopefully, he can ride that for awhile."

Jay said the sensation he had at the plate had been "building for a couple days," but he cautioned that just because his swing produced results doesn't mean his swing is fixed. That doesn't happen in one game. It happens, he explained, when he's able to make corrections a lot quicker than he has this time.

"Sometimes, you lose it and it's one of those things you can't put a finger on," Jay said. "Look at guys on this team like Carlos (Beltran) and Matt (Holliday), guys who have a lot of success and are real consistent. They find a way to not let those times happen for a long time. That's what I'm trying to do now. Adjust. Get back on track."


(stltoday.com)

Manager Mike Matheny restored the Cardinals' batting order to a more customary look — at the top, at least — for tonight's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium.

Rafael Furcal returns to the leadoff spot after a day off Sunday, and Jon Jay jumps back into the No. 2 hole after his four-hit game Sunday in a 7-0 victory over the Cubs.

Third baseman David Freese (.305, 14 homers, 55 RBIs) and first baseman-outfielder Allen Craig (.304, 14, 47) are not in tonight's lineup. Looking at that another way: the Cardinals enter the game with a hot-hitting bench duo. Freese is batting .414 (12 for 29) in his last 10 games and Craig is hitting .333 (13 for 39).

Another reason it might be wise to have Freese sit:  He's 0 for 6 — all strikeouts — in his career vs. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley.

"It's not a real good matchup for him," said Matheny. "Sometimes you just struggle with certain guys, so when we see those coming, we stay away from them."


(stltoday.com)

ST. LOUIS -- Jon Jay had dug himself into a hole while batting .190 over the first 14 games of July, prompting Cardinals manager Mike Matheny to give him the day off on Friday. After spending some extra time in the cages on his off-day and going back to the basics, Jay seems to be back on track.

The Cardinals' center fielder collected a career-high four hits on Sunday in a 7-0 win over Chicago, including a two-run double in the first inning. Jay also knocked in two against the Cubs on Saturday and had back-to-back multi-RBI games for the first time this year.

"I always want the approach of, 'I'd rather get through it in the games,'" said Jay, who brought his average up to .304 on the year. "But sometimes the best thing to do is take a step back. That's what I did [Friday]."

Each of Jay's four hits Sunday went to left field and came against left-handers. He said he knows he is doing things right when he can drive the ball to the opposite field. Jay has been hitting lefties well this season, batting .327 in 49 at-bats.

Jay had missed more than a month starting in mid-May with a sore right shoulder, and is batting .253 since returning from the disabled list on June 22.
While Matheny believes Jay was struggling to find his timing on his swing, Jay said he couldn't figure out what was going on but did feel more confident at the plate the last two days.

"You know how baseball is," Jay said. "Some days you get pitches to hit, some days you don't. Sometimes the balls fall for you. You just have to take the good with the bad and that's what I've been doing. I understand that I got four hits today, but tomorrow's a new day and there's a lot games left, and I have to be ready for them all."


(mlb.com)

Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay returned from the disabled list in late June and has made 14 starts since then. He has gone 13 for 51 (.255) with four RBI and three stolen bases in 16 games since returning from a separated right shoulder.




(fantasysp.com)

When the name "St. Louis Cardinals" gets thrown around on a national landscape the first names to pop into the conversation are Matt Holliday, Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina, etc.

And, quite frankly, rightfully so.  They've got track records of performing at the highest levels for an extended period of time.

But one name you will almost never hear associated with the core of this team is Jon Jay.  He'll never be considered the Cardinals' best player.  He'll never make $15 million a year like those other guys mentioned above.

What he will do, however, is continue to do everything that helps the Cardinals win baseball games.  I'm not sure there is a more underappreciated or underrated player on the club today.

In 857 career at-bats, Jay has a .303 batting average and .355 on-base percentage.  Those are very good numbers by anyone's guage.  But the thing that makes Jay, to me anyway, is how he's consistently getting better.

How many times do you see supremely talented players come up to the big leagues and have most of their success right away.  But they don't build on it.  Colby Rasmus come to mind?

Jon Jay, as good as he's been, is still improving as an all-around player.  Defensively he's become the unquestioned quarterback of the outfield...making key catches all over while directing traffic among his fellow defenders.

Offensively, he's making similar strides.  Jay's .339/.392/.426 line represents marked improvement over 2010 and 2011.  He's an outstanding contact hitter that does not strike out very much.  He's a line drive kind of guy who can beat you with power if you make a mistake over the heart of the plate.  And he's starting to take a few more walks which will raise that OBP even more.

It's not a complete surprise Jay's absence from the lineup with an injured shoulder coincided with the offense's downturn.  Sure there were other factors involved there inluding injuries to other players while the healthy ones didn't perform as needed.  But Jay's return also coincided with the offense's recent explosion against Kansas City.

Is it all Jon Jay that's responsible for the ebb and flow of this offense?  Not a chance.  Is he an often overlooked piece that has more to do with it than many realize?  I believe the answer to that is yes.

He's not the best player on the Cardinals...but he's awfully important to their success.


(kmov.com)

Jon Jay (shoulder) went 2-for-4 with a home run, a triple, a walk, three RBI and three runs scored Wednesday in his latest rehab game with Triple-A Memphis.

Nice to see. Jay, who is currently rehabbing a shoulder sprain, shouldn't need many more rehab games. He'll be worth using in deeper mixed leagues upon his return.


(rotoworld.com)

CF Jon Jay, out more than a month with a right shoulder strain, has been hitting for the last couple of days. He should be ready for a rehabilitation assignment this week for Class AAA Memphis.



(ksdk.com)

Refreshing news here for the scuffling Cardinals.

According to beat reporter Brian Stull of 101 ESPN in St. Louis, center fielder Jon Jay has been cleared to embark on a minor league rehab assignment Wednesday afternoon with Triple-A Memphis.

Jay was placed on the disabled list in mid-May with a right shoulder sprain, suffered on the play pictured in this post — a Drew Stubbs home run. He finally began making progress early last week, first with games of long-toss and then with batting practice.

The 27-year-old was hitting .343/.395/.438 in 27 games before the injury, serving as an important table-setter at the top of the St. Louis lineup. The Cards will hope he can pick up right where he left off upon returning.


(hardballtalk.com)

NEW YORK -- Jon Jay, who has been hampered by a right shoulder injury for six weeks now, will be shut down for seven to 10 days in an attempt to reduce the bothersome inflammation.

Jay had the shoulder re-examined on Thursday and, according to general manager John Mozeliak, there were no new findings. That's good news in that it confirmed that Jay does not have any structural damage in the shoulder.

The inflammation, as manager Mike Matheny explained, is around the area of the shoulder where Jay received a recent cortisone shot.
Though Jay avoided a DL stint initially after jamming his right shoulder into the outfield wall on April 19, the discomfort grew to the point that by mid-May, the Cardinals had to shut him down.

Jay traveled to the Cardinals' Jupiter, Fla., complex earlier this week in hopes that, while there, he'd be able to increase his level of activity and work his way off the DL. However, with the discomfort not waning, Jay opted to get his shoulder looked at once again to make sure there were no other undetected issues.

Mozeliak said that the Cardinals are still discussing what the next step will be for Jay following this period of rest. Jay is returning to St. Louis, where he'll resume his rehab work when cleared.


(mlb.com)

The Cardinals expect both Allen Craig and Jon Jay to be back with the big league club by the end of the week, according to Fox Sports Midwest.

Jay was hitting .343 with a pair of home runs when he went down with a shoulder injury. Craig was batting .373 with five home runs and 19 batted in with only 13 games under his belt after missing the first month of the season following knee surgery. 

The pair will be a welcome addition to a team that has been inconsistent lately in scoring runs. Outfielders Shane Robinson and Adron Chambers seem the most likely candidates to be sent out to Class AAA Memphis.

Robinson was shipped out and barely had time to unpack before he was summoned back when Jay's shoulder flared back up. Chambers, who contributed significantly in late 2011 as an injury fill in, was called up when Craig strained his hamstring.

Those players are expendable because Skip Schumaker has been able to step up and play some centerfield lately. 


(bnd.com)

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay took a step forward in his return from a sprained right shoulder before Friday's game against the Phillies.

Jay hit off a tee and did some soft toss in his first workout since the injury that sent him to the disabled list on May 16. He said he is hopeful to rejoin the team during its upcoming 10-game road trip to Atlanta, New York and Houston.

The outfielder, who hit .343 with two home runs and eight RBIs in his first 27 games this season, wasn't sure if he would need a rehab assignment before returning to the active roster.

"We'll see how these next couple days go," Jay said. "Today was just the first day. I still have to do a couple more things. It's coming along. It's definitely getting better."

General manager John Mozeliak said Jay was on track to return soon after his 15 days on the disabled list were up.

"Jay may be a day or two extra, but he swung the bat today and felt pretty good," Mozeliak said.


(mlb.com)

ST. LOUIS -- Center fielder Jon Jay was put on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday by the St. Louis Cardinals because of shoulder soreness.

St. Louis played the finale of a five-game homestand with only one regular outfielder, left fielder Matt Holliday. Right fielder Carlos Beltran missed his second straight start because of a minor knee injury but was available to pinch hit, and first baseman Lance Berkman was a late lineup scratch.

"We decided to stay cautious with Carlos and give him another day," manager Mike Matheny said. "His knee has been barking."

The team gave no reason for scratching Berkman, who had played two games since coming off the disabled list from a left calf injury.

Jay injured his right shoulder when he banged into an outfield wall last month. He's 3 for 18 on the homestand with one hit, a bunt single, in his past 15 at-bats.

Jay is hitting .343 in 26 games and went 1 for 4 in Monday's 6-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

Outfielder Shane Robinson was recalled from Triple-A Memphis after one day in the minors. Robinson was 3 for 4 with a triple on Monday, and arrived minus his equipment.

Robinson planned on asking utilityman Skip Schumaker, who started in center field, for a few items of equipment to tide him over.

"I didn't think anything would happen this soon. But it did," Robinson said. "It's been pretty chaotic."

Third baseman David Freese, in an 0 for 11 slump, also was not in the lineup.


(espn.com)

St. Louis Cardinals OF Jon Jay went 0-for-2 with two walks and a sacrifice Thursday, May 3, to snap his season-high 11-game hitting streak. He hit .488 (21-for-43) during the streak.




(kffl.com)

HOUSTON _ Jon Jay, doing his best impersonation of Terry Moore, Curt Flood, Willie McGee and Jim Edmonds, all great Cardinals defensive center fielders of the past, turned in his sixth extraordinary play of the three-game series here in the fifth inning today.

With a runner at first base and nobody out, center fielder Jay and left fielder Matt Holliday raced toward the left-center-field canyon in chase of pinch hitter Houston pinch hitter Justin Maxwell's drive. As the flyhawks seemed about to collide, Holliday pulled up short and Jay made a sliding catch at the warning track.

Second baseman Tyler Greene then started a nifty double play to take Adam Wainwright out of the inning. 

Greene, who earlier had driven in three runs, ran his way to another run in the sixth as the Cardinals went ahead, 7-1.

Greene walked, stole second and had third stolen, too, as Wainwright grounded to the third baseman. Green then scored on Rafael Furcal's infield hit.


(stltoday.com)

HOUSTON -- Jon Jay's hitting streak ended at 11 games on Thursday. But the Cardinals' center fielder was back at it again on Friday, adding two more hits to his season total. He hit .488 during the streak and had three three-hit games in the first five games of the recent homestand.

Just how hot is Jay's bat? Despite two hits (2-for-5) on Friday, Jay actually lowered his batting average to .414 for the season. He doesn't have enough at-bats to qualify, but if he did, Jay would be leading the National League in hitting.

Jay said he felt the key to his recent hitting streak was not pressing and staying within his simple game plan.

"Just go out there and try to have good at-bats," Jay said. "As simple as it may sound, just swing at strikes and take the balls. That's my game plan out there. I think anytime any hitter does that, they're going to have some success. So that's pretty much all I'm trying to do right now.

"I don't think about hitting streaks or what I'm doing personally. I feel like if we win a ballgame, I've done something right. That's the way I measure my successes."


(mlb.com)

While his teammates enjoyed an off day Thursday, Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay reported to Busch Stadium for a test that determined what he would be on this weekend — the lineup card or the disabled list.

After three hits in his start Friday, clearly he passed.

Jay took about 100 swings in the team's cages during a workout Thursday that he described as intense. The goal was to gauge if his shoulder, sprained a week earlier, was ready for him to play or if the Cardinals would have to consider a roster move to give him more rest.

"We had waited enough," Jay said. "It was time to decide. It had gotten to the time when I really needed to test it out."

Under the watch of hitting coach Mark McGwire and members of the training staff, Jay did well enough in the cage Thursday to prove he could start Friday. Returned to the No. 2 spot in the order, Jay laced three singles and tied a career high with three RBIs in the Cardinals' 13-1 rout of the Milwaukee Brewers. In the decisive eight-run third inning, Jay had two singles, one to help spark the rally and another to drive in two runs that continued it.

Jay raised his average to .375, and he left the ballpark Friday night with the highest on-base percentage of any regular starter, at .412.

"That was a big test for me," Jay said after facing Milwaukee's opening day starter, Yovani Gallardo. "I didn't know how it was going to be in the game. You're never going to feel 100 percent ... but it can get better."

What got worse after Jay left the lineup with his shoulder sprain was the offense. Other than a brief appearance as a pinch runner, Jay missed the entirety of the six-game road trip during which the team struggled to score. Most of the credit went to the opponent's starting pitchers, especially Cubs righties Matt Garza and Jeff Samardzija, who handcuffed the Cardinals in consecutive games at Wrigley Field this past week. But a contributing factor was absences.

The Cardinals went the whole road trip without Jay and Lance Berkman in the lineup. Berkman has the bigger reputation. Jay has had the better production this month.

Jay left the lineup to tend to his injured shoulder with a .391 on-base percentage. In the six games before he slammed into the center field wall and mildly separated his right shoulder, Jay hit .400 (eight for 20) and slugged .600. With Carlos Beltran pressed into service as the cleanup hitter, Jay had thrived in the No. 2 spot in the order. After going three for five there Friday, Jay is now batting .450 at No. 2 with seven RBIs and 10 times on base in 21 plate appearances.

"I don't see any reason to mess with it right now," manager Mike Matheny said about hitting Jay second when he's healthy. "Things went very well. I think he fits in that spot. But he has the flexibility to bounce around to a couple of other spots in the lineup as well."

The question Thursday morning wasn't where he would be in the lineup, but if he could be in the lineup. Jay went to the park unsure.

Comforted on Monday by a scan of the shoulder that showed no structural damage and confirmed the sprain, Jay received an anti-inflammatory shot to help speed the healing. That forced him to take a couple days off to let the shot's medication take effect. When it had cleared, he went to the cage. The trouble he had extending his swing — the resistance he felt when trying to swing at full strength — had cleared. Hitting coach Mark McGwire said Jay looked "1,000 times better than what he was in Pittsburgh."

"We talked about it and this is a great time for him not to even think about his swing," McGwire said. "Just trust his eyes and let it happen. He looked good. He was there early again (Friday). He looked good through it all."

Had Jay not felt good doing it, the Cardinals would have reconsidered their plan to go with a shortened bench. Having proved his ability to hit, Jay said he has to maintain the shoulder's health and improve it.

"I feel I can contribute the way I am," Jay said. "Every day we'll just continue to work on ways to get it better."

Like, for example, staying away from the wall.

"That's the big one," he nodded.


(stltoday.com)

CHICAGO -- An MRI on Jon Jay's sprained right shoulder Monday showed no structural damage, confirming what the outfielder and Cardinals had thought all along.

Jay did not play in the Cards' 3-2 loss on Monday and plans to begin working his way back into the lineup Tuesday. He suffered the injury Thursday when he jammed his shoulder into the outfield wall in St. Louis.

Jay -- who underwent the MRI early Monday before meeting the team in Chicago -- said how he feels day to day will determine how quickly he returns. Jay said now that he knows everything is structurally sound, he'll look at the injury as a bruise and "just deal with it."

"[Making sure there was no added damage] was the biggest thing with the MRI, and that's why I was happy with the results," Jay said. "I can't mess it up any more so I can continue to push it, which is what I wanted to hear."

Both Jay and Matheny said there is no timetable for the outfielder's return.

"We'll wait and see what we hear tomorrow," Matheny said. "Just try not to get too far ahead in the expectations."

Jay is hitting .349 with two homers and four RBIs on the year.


(mlb.com)

PITTSBURGH -- Outfielder Jon Jay left the Cardinals on Sunday to return to St. Louis, where he will undergo an MRI as part of a reexamination of his right shoulder. Jay, who is nursing a sprained right shoulder, was experiencing more soreness on Sunday.

"I didn't hear that he was worse today. I didn't hear that he was better today," manager Mike Matheny said, attempting to characterize the setback. "I think it was a situation where they weren't that excited about where he is right now."

Jay had been encouraged by his progress since Thursday, when he jammed his arm into the center-field wall in an attempt to make a catch. Jay came out of that game, and his only appearance since came as a pinch-runner on Saturday.

Jay resumed some light baseball activities on Saturday and was scheduled to take batting practice and test his arm throwing on Sunday morning. Despite a setback in the progress, Matheny didn't rule out Jay rejoining the team on Monday in Chicago. He also did not make the assumption that this means Jay is headed for the disabled list.

"Everybody is still optimistic," Matheny said. "It sounded like they were hoping he'd be a little further along than he was, and to just make sure they didn't miss anything, [we wanted to] get him back home and looked at by our guys again to make sure he is where he should be."

Jay, who has never been on the Major League DL, already had X-rays on his shoulder. Those came back showing no structural damage.

With Jay unavailable on Sunday, the Cardinals were forced to play with a short bench. Matheny did, however, have the benefit of having Skip Schumaker available again. Schumaker passed all the tests he needed to to assure Matheny that his side soreness had subsided. Like Jay, Schumaker had exited a game after running into the outfield wall.

"I felt better today," said Schumaker, who delivered a pinch-hit single in the ninth. "I feel like I'm good enough to play. If I wasn't, I would tell them. I'm not in a spot where I want to jeopardize a really good team, especially with a short bench as it is."


(mlb.com)

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak conceded Thursday that a roster move might be needed now that Jon Jay is sidelined with a sprained right shoulder.
Jay was initially considered day-to-day, but he left the clubhouse Thursday with his arm in a sling and admitted that he was dealing with some pain and soreness. Erik Komatsu took his place in Thursday's game and Carlos Beltran has previously been discussed as an option for center field, but it's possible the Cards could rush Skip Schumaker (oblique) back from his minor league rehab assignment if Jay's condition doesn't improve in the next day or two.


(rotoworld.com)

During the 2011 run to World Series Championship, St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Jon Jay had himself quite an interesting season.

After bumping Colby Rasmus out of town, Jay spent most of the 2011 season hitting in the second spot in the Cardinals lineup.  Of the 107 times former manager Tony La Russa wrote Jay's name on the lineup card, Jay hit second in the lineup 72 times and he did so quite well.  Jay posted a .303 average and scored 41 runs in front of former first baseman Albert Pujols, now first baseman Lance Berkman, and left fielder Matt Holliday.

Now it is 2012 and despite his success at the top of the order in 2011, Jay finds himself further down in the lineup.  New manager Mike Matheny has employed an often used La Russa tactic by putting "thunder" in the two hole.  Thunder's name is Carlos Beltran, who's presence has moved Jay down to the seventh spot in the lineup on a regular basis.

Beltran was out of the lineup in the Cardinals 4-3 loss to the Reds on Wednesday afternoon and Jay suddenly found himself back hitting second and responded with his first home run of the season.

Jay has shown he is comfortable in his new home in the lineup though, hitting .304 on the season while getting on base 36 percent of the time while playing a stellar center field. 

While Jay showed up in the two hole on Wednesday, it is more likely that Matheny will continue to use the switch-hitting Beltran in the two hole for most of the season.

From the looks of the early season, that suits Jay just fine as the former Miami Hurricanes star has not missed a beat.   The Cardinals will need him to be an RBI threat at the bottom of the order and so far it looks as though Jay can fill the role.


(kffl.com)

MIAMI -- The introductions of the rosters and starting lineups are underway, done to a percussion beat spiced with whistles, and while the Miami Marlins are being escorted to the field by feather-draped dancers and greeted loudly by cheers, the Cardinals were not without a dash of celebrity in their intros.

Jon Jay, a local and a former University of Miami former, received a loud ovation from the crowd when he was announced as the Cardinals' opening day center fielder and No. 7 hitter.


(stltoday.com)

JUPITER, Fla. -- Jon Jay's career has been played mostly in the shadows of others. It's a position he has come to know as well as center field, but not a reality that Jay reflects on with disdain.

Long a complementary piece and rare cornerstone, Jay offers nary a complaint when he talks about his rather uncelebrated past.

A standout player in high school, he was not the star on a Columbus (Fla.) High School team that won a state championship his senior year. At the University of Miami, he found himself immediately playing alongside last year's National League Most Valuable Player Award winner, Ryan Braun.

Now, he's sandwiched between Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran, a pair of outfielders who own a combined 11 All-Star appearances, six Silver Slugger Awards and three Gold Gloves. It's no wonder why Jay continues to glide under the radar, a spot where he admits he feels he still belongs.

"They deserve to be talked about," Jay said. "They've put in their time in this game. They have the All-Star appearances, all the accolades. ... I'm still trying to survive every day. I still have a lot to prove about myself. I have a lot of confidence in myself, but those guys have been doing this a long time in this game. I'm trying to be consistent like them. That's my goal."

Jay has set some lofty standards and picked out the right players to emulate. But he does carry the pressure of needing to start the season strong in order to hold on to a full-time spot in center. Allen Craig's eventual return -- which could come by mid-April -- will invariably crowd the Cardinals' outfield. Holliday won't be moving out and neither will Beltran -- unless he shifts to his right to play center. That would squeeze Jay out of a spot.

Some sort of platoon scenario involving the left-handed-hitting Jay is also possible.

It's all just additional motivation for Jay to prove that the consistency that defined his first two seasons in the Majors was no fluke.

"I feel like I've had good years where I have been helpful to the team," said Jay, who led the club with 157 games played last year. "But by no means do I feel like I have established myself. I still think I can improve, and I can continue to help the team. Those are my goals."

After batting .300 in his rookie season, Jay returned in 2011 and worked his way from bench player to fill-in corner outfielder to everyday center fielder by the end of the year. He hit .302 in the 107 games he started, and gave the Cardinals stability in center after the organization dealt away Colby Rasmus.

Almost silently, Jay has actually been one of the better hitters to emerge recently in the Majors. He may not flaunt the power or sexy stats of some of the others, but Jay has a .298 batting average that ranks third among all qualifying players with fewer than 750 career at-bats.

His .991 fielding percentage leads all Cardinals outfielders since the start of 2010.

"We've seen him do a nice job quarterbacking in the outfield," manager Mike Matheny said. "I have used that term before -- conscientious -- about how he's thinking ahead and doing more than just standing in the same place every time. He's trying to be prepared to get an edge defensively, and that's a great quality to have from a center fielder."

Jay credits Holliday and Beltran for helping him to continue improving those defensive instincts this spring.

"I'm trying to take command out there," Jay said. "There's a lot of communication going on."

On the offensive side, consistency is once again Jay's aim. He noted that it took him longer than others to regain his timing this spring, and that is reflected in Jay's higher-than-desired strikeout total.

But subpar spring results have actually been the norm for Jay. He combined for a .224 average in Grapefruit League play in 2010 and '11. With two spring games remaining, Jay's average this month sits at .250.

Though the Cardinals are seeking a leadoff hitter, Jay will likely begin the year hitting in the bottom third of the order. It sets up to be another instance where Jay gets buried among the bunch. How fitting, since that is what Jay knows best.

"I have always been lucky to play on some good teams at the level that I've been at," Jay said. "Maybe I don't get talked about much, but we have great players on this team. I just have to play my part and be a part of the big picture. That's fine with me."


(mlb.com)

Righthander Jake Westbrook continued his spotless spring pitching record today, knocking off six shutout innings as the Cardinals beat the New York Mets, 2-1, in an exhibition game.

Westbrook gave up only three singles, walking none, to a lineup which was minus a few regulars. But for the spring he has worked 12 scoreless innings, permitting just six hits and no runs.

In becoming the first Cardinals starter to work six innings this spring, Westbrook threw 53 strikes out of 74 pitches. His strong effort was followed by perfect relief in the seventh and eighth, respectively, by Mitchell Boggs and Kyle McClellan. 

But, facing Fernando Salas in he ninth, Mets second baseman Jordany Valdespin lofted an opposite-field homer to left to tie the game at 1-1.
Jon Jay then won the game for the Cardinals in the home half with a one-out single to left off Mets lefthander Garrett Olson, who had brought in to face the lefthanded-batting Jay.

Jay's hit scored pinch runner Adron Chambers, who ran for Matt Adams after the latter singled with one out off former Cardinal Miguel Batista. Chambers then went to third on a hit-and-run single by right by Tony Cruz.

The Cardinals did little with New York starter Johan Santana either. They had only three hits and no runs through five innings but finally broke through in the sixth.

Tyler Greene and Carlos Beltran opened with singles and after Santana retired Matt Holliday and David Freese, Lance Berkman singled up the middle for the first run of the game.

The Cardinals, winning their fourth straight, are 10-6-1 for the spring. Lefthander Jaime Garcia will face Washington here on Thursday.


(stltoday.com)

Jon Jay is used to being overlooked, at least by those outside his clubhouse.

Though the Cardinals made him their second-round selection in the 2006 draft, Jay was never considered his team's best player at the University of Miami.

That status was typically saved for current Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun or Miami Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez. Jay played alongside ex-Cardinals reliever and current Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez, Minnesota Twins third baseman Danny Valencia and Oakland A's second baseman Jemile Weeks.

During Jay's ascent to the parent club he was never regarded as the minor-league system's best outfielder. That distinction belonged to Colby Rasmus until he reached St. Louis in 2009.

"He may seem to some people like kind of a below-the-radar guy but, make no mistake, Jon's a great player," first baseman Lance Berkman said. "We don't win last year without him."

Jay, who turns 27 on Thursday, led the World Series champions in appearances (158) last summer and carries a career .298 average into his third major-league season.

Jay waited until the July 2010 trade of right fielder Ryan Ludwick to the San Diego Padres before receiving an everyday opportunity. Jay's presence last season allowed general manager John Mozeliak sufficient leverage to package Rasmus within a three-team deal that brought pitchers Edwin Jackson, Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski and outfielder Corey Patterson in return. Jay made 90 starts batting either leadoff or second for a team that led the National League in runs scored.

"Everybody has numbers but that's not what I'm primarily concerned about," Jay said before Sunday's Grapefruit League rainout against the Washington Nationals. "It's important for me to provide the manager options. I'm out there ready to play.

"My mind-set is to win every day. It's been that way in college and in the minor leagues. If the team needs a sacrifice or a hit-and-run, that's my role."

Jay's role has become a focal point since the Cardinals signed free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran to a two-year contract in December. Beltran once played elite center field for the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros and New York Mets before knee issues led him to a corner outfield position. However, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny may periodically explore returning Beltran to his former position as a way to get power bat Allen Craig playing time on an outfield flank.

On most days, Jay will find himself stationed behind five-time All-Star Matt Holliday and Beltran, a six-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner who opened his career as 1999 AL Rookie of the Year.

"I'm appreciated here. That's all that matters to me," he said. "I think that's been my story since high school. I've been lucky enough to play for a lot of talented teams where I've never been the best guy or a top-three guy. I've always been a guy whose role is to set up the big guys on the team."

"He's as valuable as anybody in here; he really is," Berkman said. "Guys like him and (infielder Daniel) Descalso are baseball players. Their value doesn't begin and end with statistics. The same applies with Craig. It's very unusual to see three young guys like that on the same team."

Jay has spent much of the last week listening to Jim Edmonds' thoughts on playing center field. He is also concentrating on translating his plus speed into more of a base-stealing weapon. (Jay stole a base before a fourth-inning downpour scrubbed Saturday's game.)

"He's got it in him," Matheny said. "You saw that today. He's got intelligence. He's got baseball instincts. He studies the game. He studies pitchers."
"There are certain guys that play a lot faster. He's not a burner like a Michael Bourn but he plays as good a center fielder because he gets great jumps, he positions himself well and he has great hands," Berkman said. "He runs good routes to the ball. At the plate he puts together great at-bats.

"To me, he was one of the unsung heroes of last year's team," Berkman added. "His ability to play center field allowed us to make the trade that got us the pieces we needed."

Jay's career has been predicated on events affecting others. That may again be the case this season given Matheny's use of Beltran at a position he hasn't patrolled since 2009.

"I've never been a player who took anything for granted," Jay said. "I just take it one day at a time. I never know what's going to happen tomorrow. I think things are definitely different this year. But I'm going about things the same way. I know nothing's guaranteed in this game, or in anything."


(stltoday.com)

QUESTION: With the addition of Carlos Beltran, and Allen Craig expected to eat up outfield time once his knee is healed, where does Jon Jay fit into this year’s Cardinals team?

DERRICK GOOLD
He’s the starting center fielder until his production doesn’t merit the playing time. At that point, Beltran in center (legs permitting) and Craig in right (health permitting) becomes a more essential option for the Cardinals, and Schumaker and Jay emerge as alternatives, backups or fourth outfielders off the bench. It will be interesting to watch the second base competition unfold and how much it leaves Schumaker to appear in center this spring.

RICK HUMMEL
Jon Jay is the Cardinals’ regular center fielder, until further notice. It isn’t likely that Beltran will play a lot in center inasmuch as he hasn’t played there in a couple of years and Busch Stadium is a big park in the outfield.

JOE STRAUSS
Jay projects as the regular CF but will receive occasional breaks when Skip Schumaker or Carlos Beltran man the position. Jay led the team in games played last season and was considered no worse than average defensively. True, his postseason performance did not mirror his regular season, but Jay's offensive numbers during the regular season (.297/.344/.424) were almost a carbon of his 2011. Beltran, Craig and Lance Berkman will likely be found in right field and at first base with Craig usually seen against LH pitching.

JEFF GORDON
Jay will play a LOT of center field. He played virtually every game last season and will play a lot this season.  The Cards need to keep Beltran’s bat in the lineup, so I would expect Mike Matheny to use him in center field judiciously. Jay is a solid fielder and an established .290 to .300 hitter, so he will stay busy. He may double-switch into games and do some defensive subbing, but he will play a big role. I would not be surprised if he approached 500 plate appearances again.

LARRY BOROWSKY (Founder of Viva El Birdos and editor of “Maple Street Press Cardinals Annual&rdquo
He’s their best defensive CF by far. Combine that with Beltran’s stated reluctance to tax his knees in center, and Jay appears to be in line for 130 to 140 starts. Of course, that assumes he continues to hit at the levels of 2010-11. I think he’ll do that and more. If Jay should wash out, then Skip Schumaker likely gets the bulk of the playing time in CF.


(stltoday.com)

JUPITER, Fla. • World Series MVP David Freese and starting center fielder Jon Jay were among the players who finalized their contracts for 2012 with the Cardinals this morning, a player and an official confirmed.

Jay and Freese — both of whom are participating in their first workouts today — completed their contracts this morning.

These deals are one-year contracts and its rare for a player to take a significant leap in salary. For players with no experience in the majors, their deals will be for the major-league minimum salary ($480,000).

Players like Freese and Jay will receive slight raises; each made slightly above the major-league minimum in 2011.

Terms of their contracts were not disclosed.

The club has all the power when it comes to negotiating deals for players with fewer than three years of experience. If a contract isn't agreed to before the deadline this spring, the team can renew the player's contract at a price the club sets.

The Cardinals could have all the members of the 40-man roster signed for 2012 within a week.


(stltoday.com)

Check out our EXCLUSIVE photos from the 2012 UM Baseball Fan Fest which featured a HR Derby won by proCane Minnesota Twin Danny Valencia. Other proCanes like Jemile Weeks, Jon Jay, Chris Perez, Eddy Rodriguez and many more joined the festivities.


Jemile Weeks, Danny Valencia

Jemile Weeks

Peter O’Brien

The Maniac

Jemile Weeks

Rony Rodriguez

Danny Valencia

Jemile Weeks

Danny Valencia

Danny Valencia, Peter O’Brien




Click here to see more photos ->> Read More...

In two years in the big leagues, Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay has already won a World Series and played well enough that two outfielders were traded to give him more playing time.

But you won't see the 26-year-old Jay feeling like he has it made anytime soon.

After appearing in a team high 159 games last season and contributing both in the field and at the plate, Jay is motivated for even bigger things in 2012.

"I'm continuing to try to prove myself in this league," Jay said. "It's my third season, which is crazy, but I'm just trying to be consistent out there and help the team win. Nothing changes for me. I'm just trying to get better and get smarter."

Jay's first two big league seasons were eerily similar. He burst out of the gate with a fast start in both, allowing the Cardinals to make deadline deals to help the club.

The Cardinals traded Ryan Ludwick to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Jake Westbrook at the trade deadline in 2010, handing Jay the everyday spot in right field.

Last July, his production allowed the Cardinals to trade Colby Rasmus to the Toronto Blue Jays in a deal that brought back key contributors Edwin Jackson, Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski. Jay took over the regular spot in center field following the deal.

But both times Jay was handed a regular spot in the lineup following the trades, the Miami native struggled at the plate. Jay was hitting .396 at the time Ludwick was traded in 2010 but hit just .239 over the final two months to finish the year right at .300.

He was hitting .312 when Rasmus was traded on July 27 last year and proceeded to hit .222 in his next 21 games with 17 strikeouts and just three walks. He hit .277 the rest of the way, finishing at .297.

Jay had 24 doubles, 10 home runs, 37 RBI and 56 runs scored for the Cardinals in 2011 and shrugged off a playoff slump to provide a key hit in the tenth inning of Game 6 of the World Series to help fuel their dramatic come-from-behind win.

With six-time All-Star Carlos Beltran added to the outfield mix in the offseason, Jay is out to prove he's worthy of the everyday playing time from the start to finish in 2012.

"I feel like if you look at my whole year, I was pretty consistent – defense, offense, helping the team win," Jay said. "Once you've tasted some success, you want to keep improving. That's the common thing you see from the guys who are great players in this league. They have a great year but they still want to build on it and keep getting better. That's what I want to do, continue to build my resume and continue to show that I can play out there.

"The biggest thing for me is just getting smarter out there. You know the pitchers better and they know you better, so just being able to make adjustments quicker and knowing what is the better formula to react to all that."

Jay was ticketed for another heavy workload in center field until Beltran was signed to help replace some of the offense lost when Albert Pujols signed with the Anaheim Angels.

Beltran will start the season in right while Allen Craig recovers from knee surgery, meaning Jay will get plenty of action in center early in the season. But when Craig returns, a healthy Beltran could cut into some of Jay's time in center.

But the uncertainty doesn't have Jay worried or disappointed. It's kept him humble.

"I'm going to prepare how I always do and be prepared to play every game," Jay said. "You never know what's going to happen. I just want to get myself ready so when I do get a chance to go out there, I can be consistent and help the team.

"I'm going to show up, be prepared and when my name is in the lineup, I'm going to play. I understand how this game works, we're out there to win and that's the bottom line. One of the things with Tony (La Russa) was he mixed and matched the lineups but it was always for a reason – to win. And that's what we did."

New manager Mike Matheny and the Cardinals hope Jay helps them do plenty of winning this season.


(foxsportsmidwest.com)

MIAMI -- Baseball players are known for knocking in runs, but a bunch of them were focused on knocking down pins for charity on Saturday night.

Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay hosted the Jon Jay Celebrity Bowling Challenge at Lucky Strike Lanes in Miami Beach to help raise money for Chapman Partnership, the private sector partner of Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, commissioned to site, build, and operate two homeless centers in downtown Miami and Homestead.

"My family has always talked about doing something like this," Jay said. "We've always been involved with charity and helping out -- and in St. Louis, I am involved with stuff. But I've never done my own event. So many things have happened that I have been fortunate for in my life, so I felt like now was the perfect time to get everyone together and get this going."

With so many potential causes to choose from, Jay could have had a hard time choosing one to support. But his family's involvement with Chapman Partnership made the choice easy.

"Jon's family has served meals at our center in the evenings for a long time," said Dan Vincent, executive director of Chapman Partnership. "When Jon talked about wanting to give back to the community, we were very privileged to have him choose Chapman to do it. He's been over to tour and he's been hanging out with our kids, even today. We're just privileged to be the benefiting charity of his first event."

Over 200 people came out to help Jay's Celebrity Bowling Challenge raise an estimated $25,000. All proceeds from the event will help Chapman Partnership provide housing, food, health care, dental care, psychiatric care, job training, case management and child care to 756 men, women and children daily in the greater Miami area.

"We feel that Jon has been really blessed," said Jay's father, Justo. "He always put in his work, and now things have worked out in his life that he should be giving back to others. The Chapman Partnership in downtown needs the help and support. There are people who are living in the streets, and we are helping them get off the streets, find jobs and [have] beds to sleep in. It's not just adults, too, because there are children involved in it. I really feel very proud of Jon for this kind of achievement. It's not enough to be a great baseball player and not have a heart for other people and forget about where he could be. We're very proud of Jon for doing this."

The Celebrity Bowling Challenge was Jay's first charity event, and he called on some of his best friends in baseball to help him raise money for the worthy cause.

Joining Jay on the lanes were over 20 big leaguers -- including Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso, Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia, Nationals pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Drew Storen and first baseman Chris Marrero, Cardinals infielder Tyler Greene, outfielder Allen Craig and pitcher Lance Lynn, Phillies outfielder John Mayberry and Orioles prospect Manny Machado. Former Marlins infielder Mike Lowell and Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh were also in attendance on Saturday night.

Gonzalez bowled a 176 to help lead his team to the championship, but the newest Nationals pitcher was just happy to support Jay's event.

"Without hesitation, I told Jon I would be here," Gonzalez said. "The first thing I asked was if I could start a team. When he said 'Yes,' I told him I would donate as much as he wanted. It's always a pleasure to give back to those in your hometown. I always like doing stuff like this. I told Jon that I'll be at the next event, too."

Several players in attendance have known Jay since their days on the youth fields in Miami. Arencibia is one of those players who has a lifelong friendship with Jay, and he knew the support for anything Jay put together would be overwhelming.

"Jon Jay is one of the best, most first-class guys you'll ever meet," Arencibia said. "He's one of my best friends in baseball. He's one of the most humble guys, and one of the hardest workers. Any time that he is going to ask for something, you know it's something good. To be able to get together like this, it shows how much respect people have for Jon Jay, and the respect we all have for each other as baseball players. We all want to help each other give back, and it's great that we're all here for this great cause."

Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez was Jay's teammate at the University of Miami, and he did not hesitate to help his friend raise money for those in need.

"Everybody here is happy to support Jay," Sanchez said. "He's a great guy, and he wants to give back to the community. I'd do anything for him. When you come out of UM, you have those lifelong friends. And when they call you, you always go do it. We've always spoken about doing things together, and he's taken the initiative to start this event and pave the way for all of us to come out and help the great cause."

While there was a large collection of big league talent showcasing their bowling skills, Jay said there were several others who were disappointed to learn they would have to miss the event, due to scheduling conflicts.

"There are a lot of other guys who couldn't make it because they had to be somewhere," Jay said. "They were upset that they couldn't make it. But hopefully, this will continue to grow. This is my first one -- and hopefully we can do this for a long time down here.


(mlb.com)

proCane EVENT of the WEEK:

Head over to the Jon Jay's Celebrity Bowling Challenge where you will be able to bowl not only with Jon Jay but many former Hurricane Greats, current proCanes and MLB stars! Tickets are only $100 and can be purchased here.

Jon Jay's Celebrity Bowling Challenge
Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (ET)
Miami Beach, FL

Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez will participate in Jon Jay’s Celebrity Bowling Challenge on Jan. 28 at Lucky Strike Lanes in Miami Beach.
Jay, an outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, is good friends with Sanchez. Both are from Miami and both attended the University of Miami.

“Me and Gaby have a little competitive streak in us,” Jay said. “We’re always going at it, so I’m going to try to out-bowl him, for sure.”

Also helping Jay will be Padres 1B Yonder Alonso, Blue Jays C J.P. Arencibia, Nationals P Gio Gonzalez, Cardinals IF Tyler Greene, Royals 1B Eric Hosmer, Nationals 1B Michael Morse, Indians P Chris Perez and Twins 3B Danny Valencia.

Tickets are $100 for a person and $450 for a team. Proceeds will go to the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust.

Sanchez did some charity work on Wednesday when he appeared at the Ronald McDonald House of Miami.


(palmbeachpost.com)

Jon Jay spoke out in defense of fellow UM alum Ryan Braun, who plans to accept his National League Most Valuable Player award on Saturday despite a 50-game suspension he received after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

“It’s definitely a tough situation,” Jay said. “I’m a huge Ryan Braun supporter. He’s a guy who helped me out so much in my career. Since I stepped foot at UM we have had a special bond and we’re really good friends.

“It’s unfortunate, the situation, but hopefully he gets it cleared up. I know how hard he works and how much he loves the game. He’s really a big role model for everyone. He’s going to have his appeal process Hopefully, everything works out.”

A spokesman for Braun, a Milwaukee Brewers All Star, reportedly confirmed the positive test at the time, but said “there are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan’s complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely no intentional violation” of baseball’s drug-testing program…


(palmbeachpost.com)

Jon Jay and World Series Champions St. Louis Cardinals visited the White House and President Obama on Tuesday. Jay is pictured below in the first row third from the left.


Jon Jay on WhoSay

(ksdk.com)

Every Thursday Night proCanes.com joins All Canes Radio to bring the latest news on not only current Hurricane football but also proCane news and exclusive interviews with current and former proCanes live from the Titanic Brewery in Coral Ga Gables. Click here to listen to this week’s show and hear our exclusive interview with former Hurricane great Safety Maurice Sikes. Sikes tell is how it is in our interview as he doesn’t hold back while talking about the current state of the Hurricanes while also talking about the glory days that he was part of. The Beast also had a one-on-one interview with World Series Champ Jon Jay.

A month after helping the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series in a thrilling seven-game set, outfielder Jon Jay was back in the weight room for the first time Thursday to begin preparing for another title run next season.

Jay took a few minutes Thursday to chat about the World Series, how he's spent the last month and the Cardinals chances of repeating again in 2012.

FSMidwest: Has it sunk in yet that you are a World Champion?
Jay: I don't know. It's just been weird. I guess not, haha. Not really. Everywhere I go, people are fired up and congratulating me but I don't think it's sunk in. It was just a crazy run with how everything went, being down 2-1 to Philly and then going to Milwaukee and then the World Series and being down 3-2. I plan on having my buddies over in the next few weeks and watching all the highlights and go through all the games because I haven't really had the time to do that.

FS Midwest: So you haven't seen any highlights or watched a replay of any of the playoff games?
Jay: I haven't seen anything. I've been so busy running around and traveling and going different places and I started working out today officially so Im' going to get back in the swing of things and in the next two weeks I'll try to watch everything.

FSMidwest: How different has this offseason been compared to others?
Jay: It's a hundred times different. First of all, that extra month we played in the playoffs was awesome and great, but that kind of delayed everything as far as workouts go because usually I start in the middle of November so that got pushed back a little bit. Just going around and seeing everybody and my family and being at home here in Miami, I can't even explain how crazy its been. It's been nice. I went to the U (University of Miami), I went to my high school, it's just been a lot of fun.

FSMidwest: You mentioned starting your workouts later than usual this year because the season went longer?
Jay: I'm definitely starting later than usual. I took a good four weeks off. I learned a lot after the 2009 season and before my rookie year in 2010 because I went to Venezuela straight after the Triple-A season when we won the championship there and I only took a week off that year and got right back into it which was something I learned from because I think I got kind of tired down at the end of the year in 2012, just mentally. You need that mental break sometimes and I didn't have it so this year I took four weeks off. I was happy to get back in the wight room and back to running and getting in shape again.

FSMidwest: You worked out back at the University of Miami, right? Any other players down there working out with you?
Jay: We've got Yonder Alonzo from the Reds, Manny Machado, a top prospect with the Orioles, a couple other guys. We got a good group and some Miami baseball players and the football team is working out in there so its nice. I felt great. I felt awesome. I told these guys they had been working out for a month so I thought they were going to blow me away but I was the one showing them up out there.

FSMidwest: You recently got engaged. Congratulations on that.
Jay: Thanks. It's been an unbelievable year with everything and I was happy to do that. I'm really happy about that, me and my fianceé. She was definitely surprised. It was nice how it all worked out, but now its time to get ready for the season.

FSMidwest: You hoster a party in Miami with a shoe company down there where you signed autographs and interacted with fans. How was that?
Jay: It was nice. It went well. I just wanted to do something at home where people could come out and say hi and sign some autographs. We had a DJ and it was like a celebratory party down here. I was surprised how many St. Louis fans were down here, either students at the U or people who were fans. A lot of people came out and said hi, it was a lot of fun. I'm currently planning a charity bowling event for January.

FSMidwest: Looking back at the season, when you guys were 10.5 games out in August, did you guys think it was over?
Jay: I honestly didn't think it was over because you know how baseball is, anything can happen, like we saw. When you look at the guys we had around, these are guys that aren't going to give in and quit and Tony always preaches, from Carp to Albert and just the whole team. That was something special this year, We were all on the same page and had the same goals, which was to win. It didn't matter who was starting and who was doing what role, we never had anyone complaining and we just enjoyed being at the field and I think that was a big key this year.

FSMidwest: When did you start to realize that you guys had a chance?
Jay: Once we started gaining ground, every time we got a game closer, a game closer, we could feel it in the clubhouse. We had no pressure on us. We just went out there and had fun and played good baseball.  Obviously we were paying attention to the Braves but we knew we had to take care of our business first and luckily everything worked out for us.

FSMidwest: So many games and moments stand out from the playoff run. What's the one that stands out most to you?
Jay: Every game was crazy, honestly. Just going into Philly with that pitching staff they have, that lineup they have, that bullpen, I mean they had a great team, the best record in baseball and we were able to go in there and pull it out, that was big. Then the same thing with Milwaukee, they had a great offense with Braun and Prince and all the other guys and we were able to go in there to their place where they are almost unbeatable and be able to take some games from them there. Then the Rangers, we both had great teams. It was just a crazy, crazy playoffs. It was just amazing what we did.

FSMidwest: How many times in Game 6 did you think you had lost?
Jay: I honestly didn't think we were done. Its not over until its over and I always tell everybody at home who asks that but you look at the field and you look in the dugout and our reactions, we never gave up we never had that slouch or body language where it was like, ‘Oh man this is over'. We just believed and believed and kept fighting.

FSMidwest: How cool was it to be a part of a game like that, one that will be talked about forever?
Jay: Definitely. It was great. I have so many people telling me that they never watch baseball but they watched us in the World Series because it was so crazy and just to be a part of history and you look at our team, with Albert and Matt and Yadi and Carp and just go around and look at what they've done in their careers, for me to be a part of it, it was something special for me.

FSMidwest: Have you ever been a part of a team that was so close? It just seemed like you guys all really liked each other?
Jay: It's been a while, not since college. And in 2009 in Memphis we had a similar season but I've never seen anything like this year, where everybody got a long and it was just a lot of fun to show up to the ballpark every day.  It was just a great group of guys and we all gelled.

FSMidwest: What was that like when Tony La Russa called you guys into the weight room after the parade and told you he was retiring?
Jay: It was definitely a weird feeling because we thought it was going to be a normal tony speech, 'We won the Series and enjoy the time off and get ready for next year', stuff like that, but it caught all of us by surprise. Everyone was shocked. It was a weird feeling. Everybody was shocked and it was just weird.

FSMidwest: What was your reaction when you heard Mike Matheny got the job?
Jay: I'm happy because I've never heard a bad thing about Mike. Everybody knows his reputation and how hard he played and how hard he worked and I've seen him at Spring Training working with the catchers at 5am. I've gotten to know him a little bit over the years and I've always had great conversations and I'm looking forward to playing under him. I feel like we have a pretty good relationship but it can definitely grow. I'm just excited about the direction we're going. Honestly with Carp and Lance and all the veterans we have coming back, we have a pretty good system in place.

FSMidwest: What are your thoughts on the club's chances of repeating?
Jay: I think we have a good chance and that's what you want going into spring training. We're going to have a chance to get back to the playoffs and see what happens. Everybody is excited.

FSMidwest: When you win it all, does it make you even hungrier to do it again?
Jay: Definitely. The feeling you get and how you are received by everyone, it's just awesome to accomplish such a big goal like that. I'm really looking forward to next season and taking it one day at a time and hopefully going on another run again.


(foxposrtsmidwest.com)

proCane MLB player and World Series Champion Jon Jay poses with proCane New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham before Graham’s game versus the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta.



Click here to order Jimmy Graham’s proCane Rookie Card.

CINCINNATI -- Reds left fielder Yonder Alonso is home in Miami and already commencing with his offseason workouts. This week he will likely have, at the least, a wandering eye on the World Series.

Is Alonso pulling for either the Rangers or Cardinals? Not exactly.

"I have no rooting interest," Alonso said on Tuesday just before heading out to do some weight lifting. "When you're not there, it's a bummer. But I know a couple of guys on each team. I want them all to do well."

Perhaps none more than Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay.

The Reds and Cardinals have had a deep, and occasionally bitter, National League Central rivalry in recent years. But it's friendship that extends beyond the clubhouses and all the way back to childhood in South Florida.

"We've known each other since I was 11 or 12 years old," Alonso said. "We played at the same baseball academy."

Alonso and Jay remain roommates in the offseason and are workout partners. They also starred for rival Miami high schools -- Alonso for Coral Gables and Jay for Christopher Columbus. Both played for the Univ. of Miami baseball team. Jay was a junior when Alonso was a freshman.
"He was always an older brother type of guy," Alonso said. "He always does all the little things right. He never lied to me, always told me the truth and is a good guy to look up to. I'm always there for him."

The 24-year-old Alonso was the Reds' first-round Draft pick in 2008 and one of his organization's top prospects. This year, he made the transition from first base to left field and is planning to dedicate all his winter to shedding pounds and adjusting fully to his new position. He will rely partially on Jay to help improve his skills.

Jay, 26, was the Cardinals' second-round pick in 2006. He played his second full season in 2011 and batted .297 in 159 games.

Alonso, who also knows Cardinals third baseman Daniel Descalso and Rangers pitcher Derek Holland, spoke with Jay on the phone as recently as Monday. Game 1 of the World Series begins on Wednesday in St. Louis.

"I wished him well and good luck," Alonso said. "I'm waiting for him to get here so we can do our outfield workouts."



(mlb.com)

ST. LOUIS — Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals almost single-handedly wrecked the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the NLCS. He strung together four hits and collected five RBIs in an 12-3 rout Monday to even the best-of-seven series at a game apiece.

But a guy who contributed plenty and flew under the radar was outfielder Jon Jay. He went 3-for-4 and scored three times — all on Pujols’ hits. Jay, a left-handed hitter positioned in the No. 2 spot, supplied a bunt single, a hit-and-run single to left field and a double down the right field line.

“I want to be the guy on the line,” Jay said. “I enjoy those moments. You see guys like Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman do it. I want to be the guy everyone can count on in those situations.”

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said, “I think is playing well and he has been consistent. He’s a very intelligent player who is talented and tough.”

Jay, 26, has been tough enough this season to emerge as the Cardinals’ starting center fielder. St. Louis thought so much of him that they traded outfielder Colby Rasmus to Toronto in a key July deal that enabled the Cards to land Edwin Jackson, Marc Rzepczynski and Octavio Dotel.

“He does a lot of good things and he’s a catalyst,” Cards outfielder Lance Berkman said of Jay.

It was Jay providing a pair of hits, two RBIs and a walk in the Game 2 comeback win against the Phillies. The Cardinals trailed 4-0 but rallied for a 5-4 victory in what could have been the turning point in the best-of-five series.

“My job is to get on base and have other guys drive me in,” Jay said. “It worked out well in Monday’s game and I hope it can continue. I try to focus on every pitch during each at-bat. It worked out well in Monday’s game, and I hope it can continue.”

Jay hit .297 with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs in 159 games during the season. He hit .300 with four homers and 27 RBIs in 105 games during his rookie 2010 season. The Miami native, a 5-foot-11, 200-pounder, was a second-round pick of the Cardinals five years ago.

“I’m still trying to establish myself and do whatever is best for the team on that day,” Jay said. “I’m working hard and trying to be consistent.”

So far, so good, he said.

“I think it’s going great,” Jay said. “But it’s one game at a time.”



(thetelegraph.com)

Jon Jay (St. Louis Cardinals) Replacing the traded Colby Rasmus(notes) in center, Jay produced as do so many of La Russa’s favored players: He hits for a high average but displays little power or base-stealing ability. He can do the little things batting in the two-hole, but rarely does anything special. Jay is slightly below average defensively.

Here is Jon Jay’s 9th inning grab in the NLCS:

John Jay went 3-for-5 with three runs scored in the Cardinals' Game 2 NLCS victory on Monday.

Batting in front of Albert Pujols, Jay made the most of the opportunity by reaching base and scoring three times in the first five innings. As a result, he doubled his playoff hit total in what has been an otherwise quiet postseason at the plate.


(rotoworld.com)

MILWAUKEE • Back in the lineup spot he's made his own this season, Jon Jay stepped in for his first at-bat Monday, took a peek down at the third baseman and suspected he could drop a bunt for a base hit.

It wasn't where the third baseman stood.

It was instinct.

It comes with the job of batting second.

"It was one of those feelings I got, just go for it right there," Jay said. "I went with my gut feeling that now was the good time to do it. It was the first inning, time to get something going."

Jay got a lot of things going for the Cardinals as they evened the National League championship series at a game each with a 12-3 victory Monday at Miller Park.

As Albert Pujols powered through one of his finest postseason games, Jay merited a nomination for best performance in a supporting role with three hits and three runs scored. All of Pujols' RBI-producing swings included Jay.

The Cardinals' three-time MVP set a personal postseason best with five RBIs, and three of them were Jay. The first three times Pujols came to the plate in the game, Jay was on base, changing how the Brewers' pitchers could traipse around Pujols.

That's the job description, the center fielder said.

"I look at every situation to see what I can do to get on base," Jay said. "That was an opportunity for me to bunt (in the first inning). I got it down and everything else happened. It was a great start to the game."

Manager Tony La Russa said that Jay was "one of the key things. Get guys on base enough for the guys in the middle and we're going to score some runs. Jay had every bit as good a day as Albert did."

During the NL division series against Philadelphia, Jay did not appear ahead of Pujols in the No. 2 spot in the order until the final game, and even then it was as a replacement for injured Skip Schumaker.

Jay has returned to the two spot in both games of the best-of-seven NLCS against Milwaukee, and on Monday he described how comfortable he is there because the recipe is simple.

Get on base by any means necessary.

Get home by any means available.

He has done that in a variety ways through two games of the NLCS.

In Game 1, he drew a walk and scored on Matt Holliday's RBI single for the Cardinals' first run. He singled in the seventh to set up what was a failed rally that died via double play.

In Game 2, Jay reached base with the bunt single, a one-out single in the third inning and a leadoff double in fifth inning. Each time, Pujols followed right behind to score Jay from whatever base he reached.

Against Philly, Jay took up temporary residence in the No. 8 spot of the Cardinals' order, a spot in which he had minimal experience during the regular season yet appeared in for all four of his first-round starts. The NLCS has brought him home.

The No. 2 spot has been called by teammates the best place to hit in the majors because Pujols stands on deck every time. Jay made that spot a key part of his platform for more playing time this season. He hit .303 with a .418 slugging percentage in the No. 2 spot. Of National Leaguers with at least 250 plate appearances in the two spot this season, Jay's .303 ranked third behind two hitters the Cardinals have faced in the playoffs. Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco and Milwaukee center fielder Nyjer Morgan each hit .310 there.

Jay's feel for the No. 2 spot was clear in Game 1 as he worked Brewers' starter Zack Greinke through extended at-bats in each of his first three plate appearances.

Jay faced a total of 20 pitches in the three at-bats. He got the walk in the first inning, and he nearly broke the game in the Cardinals' direction with a busted-bat grounder in the fifth. A diving snare by Prince Fielder kept Jay from being part of a rally.

He was part of three Monday.

The bunt and run to beat third baseman Jerry Hairston Jr.'s throw for a single was prelude to Pujols' homer. The third-inning single was a hit-and-run play that put two on before Pujols' double. In the fifth inning Jay had leadoff double and scored on Pujols'second of three doubles.

"I have all these veterans (to) tell us take advantage of every opportunity you have," Jay said. "Even in the offseason, when I'm working out, I'm not saying, ‘Hey, I want to have a good (regular) season.' I'm want to get to the postseason. My goals aren't, ‘Hey, let's play the season and see what happens.' I want to win. I want to be known as a winning player.

"That is one of the things that drive me."


(stltoday.com)

QUESTION: Do you think the Cardinals will begin next season with Jon Jay as their everyday center fielder, or do you think it is more likely that there will be a time share at the position or that the team may even look outside for help?

RICK HUMMEL
There's is almost no question that Jon Jay will be the Cardinals' center fielder next season. Two reasons: He has played well defensively and hit .300 with some late-season power. And he doesn't make much money. If the Cardinals re-sign Albert Pujols and even Lance Berkman to go with Matt Holliday and several high-priced starting pitchers, they are going to need some regular  players making less than $1 million a year.
The club probably will look for a righthanded-hitting veteran outfielder who can play center field occasionally against lefthanded pitching.  They really don't have that now.

DERRICK GOOLD
Jay had an all-around game Tuesday night, offering six putouts in the field and driving in two runs at the plate. He hit his 10th homer and had his fourth consecutive two-hit game. The second-year outfielder is being fitted for the everyday job in center in 2012 -- a new reality for a fielder who has started each of the past two seasons as a fourth outfielder and had to hit his way into playing time.

LARRY BOROWSKY (Founder of Viva El Birdos and editor of "Maple Street Press Cardinals Annual")
It depends on what happens with other players. If they retain all three of Berkman, Pujols, and Carpenter, they'll almost have to bring Jay back as the primary CF; there won't be room in the payroll for anyone costlier than league minimum, and they won't find a better league-minimum CF than Jay. That wouldn't be such a terrible outcome; Jay is an average player at the position, and he comes very cheap. If he needs a platoon partner, Allen Craig might be a candidate but CF is a stretch for him defensively.

Should one of the veterans leave, that would create payroll space to allocate to CF. Unfortunately the free-agent crop is uninspiring though, with only one candidate who's a clear upgrade over Jay -- that's Carlos Beltran, whose ability to play center at age 35 is questionable (he hasn't played an inning there this season). If they don't sign him, there's always the possibility a trade can be worked out. But the odds are good that Jay will end up as their best option. Perhaps they shouldn't have dealt away that other homegrown kid who could play CF  ... what was his name again?


(stltoday.com)

Jon Jay went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and RBI single in Tuesday's win over the Brewers.

It's his second straight game with a home run, and he now has an even 10 on the year. Jay also has tallied four straight multi-hit games and is batting a cool .474 in five games this month.


(rotoworld.com)

The reasons Cardinals center fielder Jon Jay has fended off a second consecutive late-season swoon could vary from his familiarity with opposing pitchers to better stamina for September.

Or it could be as he repeated five times after playing a leading role in Tuesday's 4-2 victory — as simple as "everything evens out."

"Sometimes you don't even know how you got out of it," Jay said. "You try to stay consistent. You try to stay at that point. That's where I am right now."

Jay swatted his 10th home run of the season and finished Tuesday's win against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium with two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored. It was the outfielder's fourth consecutive game with two hits, and for the first time in his career he has more than two homers in the same home stand. Jay added a couple of catches in center at the warning track — and later one misplay that led to a run — to back starter Kyle Lohse.

In his past 19 games, the lefthanded-hitting outfielder has batted .371 with 13 runs scored and three homers.

It's a display that is a stark contrast to last September.

"It's a long season and you're going to have some months where you don't do well, and some stretches, too," Jay explained. "I'm a firm believer that everything evens out. Everything evens out, especially in this game."

Jay's two seasons in the majors have followed similar trends. He emerges early in the year as a capable and valuable fourth outfielder. He promptly hits his way into more playing time, and then the Cardinals make a deal at the deadline that clears the way for him to move into an everyday role. Last season, the Cardinals exchanged right fielder Ryan Ludwick in a three-team deal for Jake Westbrook, and the club advertised Jay as the beneficiary of the open playing time. This season, Jay started a time share in center with incumbent Colby Rasmus, and the Cardinals moved Rasmus at the non-waiver trade deadline to Toronto, in part, to land starter Edwin Jackson and lefty Marc Rzepczynski.

After the Ludwick trade, Jay faded. His average dropped from .378 on the day of the trade to .300 at the end of the season, and he batted .218 in the season's final month. Jay did not hit a homer after the deal. He attributed the fade to fatigue, brought on in part by an offseason spent playing winter ball immediately before the start of the 2010 season.

Flares went up, however, when a similar slump struck at the deadline this year.

In the month after the Rasmus trade, Jay hit .250 in 27 games and had a .304 on-base percentage.

"I think until he establishes a long track record, any time you have a little hiccup people start (thinking), 'Hey, what's real?'" manager Tony La Russa said. "The truth of it is that through the season everyone goes through those things."

How they get out of them defines the player.

Jay, the Cardinals' second-round pick in the 2006 draft, has found a way to adjust quicker and more completely this season. Aware of how specific teams and even individual pitchers are going to attack him, Jay has tightened up his swing and counteracted. He's also found a bit of a comfort zone in the No. 2 spot in the order, where he hit Tuesday. In the first inning, Jay bounced into a groundout and then scored on Lance Berkman's two-out single. In the third, Jay uncorked a homer to left field, his second homer from the No. 2 spot in the order in three days.
Billed as a high-average hitter since his days batting behind Milwaukee All-Star Ryan Braun at the University of Miami, Jay now has 10 home runs in 384 at-bats this season. Rasmus had 11 in 338 at-bats for the Cardinals this season; he has 14 in 426 overall.

After two years of moving into an everyday role only after a trade, Jay is likely to come to spring training in 2012 with a chance to win the everyday job outright, barring an offseason move for a center fielder.

La Russa noted that opponents have 'seen him now a bunch of times and he's still getting base hits." With his recovery in the past few weeks, Jay is on pace to finish his second season hitting well above .300 rather than clinging desperately to .300 like he was a year ago.

"It's just one of those things," Jay said. "The more time you spend here the more comfortable you get every day. I don't think you could ever be too comfortable here. It'll bite you."


(stltoday.com)

Jon Jay went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in St. Louis' 10-inning loss to the Reds on Sunday.

He tagged Bronson Arroyo in the first inning. Jay's ninth home run of the season was just his second since the All-Star break. He'll take a .301/.349/.435 batting line in to play on Monday.


(rotoworld.com)

Cardinals OF Jon Jay was left out of the starting lineup Friday against the Cubs, but he didn't remain on the bench. Jay entered the game and finished 1 for 2 with a caught stealing. He wasn't in the starting lineup because manager Tony La Russa wanted to rest the slumping Jay, who is batting .212 in 17 August games. 'I think he went through a period where he was a little funky,' La Russa said before the game. 'I think he's really close to being where he's going to be fine. Him and [hitting coach Mark McGwire] have done some good work. He'll be out there in the next couple days.'



(fantasysp.com)

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Cardinal OF Jon Jay wasn't in Monday's lineup in place of Skip Schumaker because of a recent clump he has been mired in. 'Jay's a little off now,' said manager Tony La Russa, 'so he's doing some work to get back on. In the meantime, Schu's versatility allows Theriot to get back in there and he's done well against (Pirates starter James McDonald). Schu's a very useful guy.' Jay was hitless in five at-bats on Sunday and is just 7 for his last 43 at the plate (.163).



(fantasysp.com)

ST. LOUIS -- Jon Jay received two presents prior to Wednesday night's game against the Brewers. He was added to the Cardinals' lineup at the last minute, and he was named the team's recipient for the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association "Heart and Hustle" award.

The award "honors active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit, and tradition of the game," according to the MLBPAA. Cardinals broadcaster and former pitcher Al Hrabosky presented Jay with the award in an on-field ceremony. The league-wide winner of the award will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 3, in New York.

"It was really cool," Jay said. "I found out last week about it, and it's pretty cool to get recognized for that."

Jay, 26, has emerged as the Cardinals' starting center fielder. He's batting .297 on the year with a .346 on-base percentage and a .418 slugging percentage.

He was initially slated to be held out of the lineup for a second straight night, the result of a recent slump. However, when Matt Holliday suffered a lower back injury before the game, Jay was inserted into the starting lineup.

(mlb.com)

Cardinals’ centerfielder Jon Jay became an interesting option for fantasy owners when St. Louis unloaded Colby Rasmus to the Blue Jays before the trade deadline.

Unfortunately for Jay owners, the lefthander has struggled since taking over the starting job.

He’s 7-of-34 in his last 10 games and is batting .206 during that stretch. Eight of those games have been starts, with Corey Patterson getting the nod in the other two games.

I’d expect Jay to continue to get most of the playing time, with Patterson there to spell the up-and-comer every fourth or fifth game.

As for Rasmus, the new Blue Jay has picked it up of late, despite suffering a finger injury Saturday.

Rasmus has nine hits over his last 28 at-bats, including a home run and three doubles.

And don’t let the finger worry you, he should stay in the lineup.


(cincinnati.com)

MIAMI -- Traveling every three or four days can be pretty taxing on a baseball player over the course of a season.

But when those travels take a player to his hometown, like this weekend's series did for Jon Jay, it makes a trip much more exciting.

"It's always fun to come home," Jay said. "This is where it all started for me. I still live here and all of my friends and family come out and support me. It's nice to see."

It is the second time in his brief big league career that Jay gets to play in front of his hometown fans, and he has had plenty of them supporting him from the Sun Life Stadium stands this weekend.

A local star at Columbus High and the University of Miami, Jay has a large following in Miami. Along with his parents, Justo and Maria, and his sister, Janelle, Jay has been visited by a lot of friends, family and even his college coach, Jim Morris.

"I got to talk to him a little bit," Jay said. "It was nice to see him because he played a big part in my baseball career being my coach at UM. I'm around there a lot, too, so it was great for him to come out and see me."

The 26-year-old Jay was batting over .300 before his struggles on the current road trip brought his average down to .297.

Jay's success this season made it easier for the Cardinals to trade outfielder Colby Rasmus to the Blue Jays for Edwin Jackson, Marc Rzepczynski, Octavio Dotel and Corey Patterson.

With Rasmus gone, Jay is officially the Cardinals' starting center fielder, but that has not changed how he approaches each game.

"It's not any different," Jay said. "I still have to show up and be ready every day."


(mlb.com)

Jon Jay, who now figures to get the bulk of the work in center, had 10 Defensive Runs Saved split between all three outfield spots, including +6 in centerfield. Jay's +10 DRS ranks tied for eighth-best among all major league outfielders.



(espn.com)

St. Louis, Missouri (KSDK)--   The Cardinals bolstered their middle infield Sunday, acquiring former All-Star shortstop Rafael Furcal from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 33 year old Furcal hit .197 in 37 games for the Dodgers this season, but has hit .364 in the past week with three multi-hit games. His struggles can be attributed to a strained left oblique and a fractured left thumb, which caused him to miss 63 games.

Furcal lead the majors with a .370 on-base-percentage from the leadoff spot last season.

To acquire Furcal the Cardinals sent AA outfielder Alex Castellanos to the Dodgers. This is the second Dodgers shortstop the Cardinals have traded for  in the past year, having picked up Ryan Theriot last November.

Furcal will wear uniform #15 and Jon Jay will switch to uniform #19.


(ksdk.com)

One of the largest ballparks in the league, complete with one of the most spacious center fields in the game, welcomes the Cardinals for a three-game midweek series against the host New York Mets.

And Jon Jay gets the first chance to cover those acres.

Jay started in center and bat second last night against the Mets, with shortstop Ryan Theriot in the lineup, at shortstop and batting first overall. Manager Tony La Russa is sticking with the pitcher batting eighth against the Mets and their scheduled starter Dillon Gee, a righty. The Mets plan to have shortstop Jose Reyes (hamstring) back from the disabled list tonight, and outfielder Carlos Beltran (flu) is considered probable for tonight's game.


(stltoday.com)

Jon Jay is expected to become the Cardinals' primary right fielder in the wake of Albert Pujols' injury.

Lance Berkman will cover first base most nights. Jay has posted a quality .313/.364/.436 batting line in 71 games this year and is a slick defender. The 26-year-old will make the loss of Pujols a tiny bit less horrific.


(rotoworld.com)

HOUSTON -- It's not exactly a June swoon, but Jon Jay has experienced an offensive dropoff this month going into his start in right field tonight.
Jay, who replaced injured Allen Craig on Tuesday night, has five singles and no RBIs in 24 June at-bats. In May, he batted .397 with four homers and 14 RBIs in 78 at-bats.

Craig is unable to run today because of the deep bruise and gash on his right knee; he suffered the injury when he crashed into a metal fence in foul territory at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday night.

Craig said today he is in "de-swelling mode" and more concerned about the bruise than the stitches he received. His leg is sore, but the team determined that X-rays would not be needed. Craig's status beyond today has not been determined.


(stltoday.com)

DENVER — Kyle Lohse pitched six solid innings to match a major league high with his seventh win and Jon Jay hit a two-run homer, helping the St. Louis Cardinals hold off the Colorado Rockies 4-3 on Sunday.

St. Louis wasted little time grabbing the lead as Ryan Theriot started off the game with a single, extending his hitting streak to 12 games, and Jay followed with his fourth homer of the season.



(bostonherald.com)

By the time the game was done Wednesday night, Jon Jay was the old hand in the Cardinals' outfield.

Allen Craig, the game's starting second baseman, had replaced Matt Holliday in left field, and Tyler Greene, better known as an infielder, had replaced Lance Berkman in right field. Which left the 26-year-old Jay, making just his fifth start of the season in center, as the most experienced guy out there.

"It was a little different, but everyone got the job done," he said. "Those guys are good athletes. They can make plays, too, but you're always conscious (about their experience) and I just tried to put them in a better position, making sure they're playing guys the right way. Craig's a good athlete and Greene's a great athlete; you've got those two guys who can hold their own out there."

Jay "was the anchor," manager Tony La Russa said. "He's a good ballplayer. He really understands the game."

For an anchor, Jay also helped lift the Cardinals to a 5-1 win over the Astros at Busch Stadium. He went two for four, driving in two runs, and had the defensive play of the game in the seventh, racing to his right and making a diving catch on a shot by Houston's Clint Barmes that he turned into an inning-ending, 8-6-3 double play that held the Astros to one run in the inning.

"Who knows if that ball's not caught in left center what that inning becomes and what happens," La Russa said. "That's the key play defensively."
"It's a ball that could possibly get down for a run and he turns it into two (outs)," starting pitcher Kyle Lohse said. "He always seems like he's getting good jumps out there and does a great job no matter what position you put him in out there."

Jay has spent most of his outfield time in the corners, particularly right field, where he's been the fill-in when Berkman needs a day off. Wednesday was his fourth straight start in center while Colby Rasmus recovers from an abdominal strain. Rasmus appeared as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, and La Russa said he might be able to be back in the starting lineup today or Friday in Kansas City, but that may not send Jay back to the bench. The injuries to Holliday and Berkman may keep one or both of them on the bench for today's series finale with Houston.
Rasmus' absence hasn't been serious, thanks to Jay, who has come through at the plate and in the field. He's got a team-high five-game hitting streak — he's had seven hits in his past 15 at-bats — and has hit safely in nine of the 11 games he's started this season. He's hitting .322 for the season.

"It definitely helps when you get to see pitches every day and know you can make adjustments," Jay said. "I'm just trying to roll with it and see what happens tomorrow."

Berkman's unexpected durability and the play of Holliday — who hasn't missed a game since his appendectomy — and Rasmus have limited Jay's chances at the plate. He's appeared in 42 of the Cardinals' 44 games but has come to the plate just 59 times. Wednesday's start was his 11th of the season.

"It's been fine," he said. "The days I don't start I try to go in the weight room, get some extra swings in the cage and stay ready every day so when my name's called I don't embarrass myself out there. ... I'm playing the mental games and not worrying about when my last start was or when my last at-bat was."



(stltoday.com)

Jon Jay hit a three-run homer in his lone at-bat off the bench to give the Cardinals all of their runs Saturday.

Too bad he can't play third base. Jay is hitting .289 with three homers in 45 at-bats, but there's only so much of a role for him on the Cardinals while the entire outfield is healthy. He's driven in six runs the last three days, but he had no fantasy value while collecting two RBI over the course of the first six weeks.



(rotoworld.com)

When Jayson Stark reported Wednesday that the Phillies were interested in Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay, you might have asked yourself why they were pursuing an outfielder when there is still so much uncertainty regarding Chase Utley's status. Especially when any possible replacements for Utley are likely coming from a litter of former and current non-roster invitees like Josh Barfield, Delwyn Young, Wilson Valdez, and Pete Orr.

The answer is pretty simple. Ruben Amaro has decided that since he can't bolster the offense at second base (consider Michael Young very much off the radar... for now) he'll try to do it in the outfield. Because if you haven't noticed, there's one, count 'em one outfielder on the team the Phillies can count on delivering numbers consistent with or better than his career average, and that's Shane Victorino.

Raul Ibanez quietly had a strong second half in 2010 and is having a very nice spring, but he'll be 39 in June. Though he intensified his workout regimen during the off season that wall can come quickly for certain players and the impact can be ugly.

Ben Francisco (the starting right-fielder for all intents and purposes) and John Mayberry are each having all-world springs. But if Ben Fran logs 500 plate appearances this season, it'll be the first time he's done so. And let's see Mabes hit the curve ball consistently, off guys not destined for minor league camp.

Dom Brown? He's got some rehab, and a spring training do-over ahead of him. See you in June, kid. Maybe.

Though he's a left-handed hitter, the 26-year-old Jay would be a nice fit. As a rookie in 2010, he hit .300 in 323 plate appearance. Not much pop (just four HR and a .422 slugging percentage) but he held his own against lefties (.308 in 76 plate appearances) and plays all three outfield spots. And as MLB Trade Rumors points out, he's under team control through 2016 and won't hit arbitration before the 2012-13 off-season.

So Jay is young and cheap and versatile. An attractive fit for the Phils, to be sure. But more so for a mid-market team like the Cards, what with Albert Pujols hitting free agency after the season and seeking the moon.

Pure speculation, but the asking price would likely be steep for a part-time player. The Cards are a little light on lefty relievers. Maybe the ask for Antonio Bastardo?

We'll see…

(phillyburbs.com)

Jon Jay had a two-run triple and a sac-fly to lead the Cardinals to a 6-1 Grapefruit League win over the Atlanta Braves at Champion Field.  David Freese went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer as St. Louis improved to 7-and-4 on the spring.  Kyle Lohse pitched four innings of one-run ball for the win.  Kyle McClellan starts today as the Cards play the Braves again.



(wjbdradio.com)

Jon Jay went 2-for-3 and hit a two-run homer Tuesday in the Cardinals' 7-1 win over the Marlins.
Jay will be the Cardinals' fourth outfielder when everyone is healthy, but with Lance Berkman likely to often take a seat late in games, odds are that he'll see plenty of time in right field over the course of the season.



(stltoday.com)

Cool, calm and collected. That's the best way to describe St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay, who earlier this spring training found himself in a competition for his starting job with fan favorite Jim Edmonds. Until Edmonds made the decision to retire, Jay was willing to give up his number (#15) in favor of Edmonds, and let the competition determine the opening day roster. While he no longer needs to worry, that still doesn't stop Jay from competing against the only person who matters: himself. I caught up with Jay at the Cardinals Winter Warm-Up and discovered some pretty interesting and hilarious facts about the outfielder (hint: follow him on Twitter to see his 'hobby' in full-force)!

After the off-season, how does it feel seeing the fans again and participating in the Winter Warm-Up?
It's crazy. There's so many people. It's kind of weird when you're out of tune from this for three months and then you come back. You forget how crazy it is here and how great it is with the support we get, so it's nice.

After a great game, what's the first thing you do? Call your friends or watch yourself on Sports Center?
I have a short drive home, so I usually talk to a couple of friends, and then just relax and hang out. I usually try not to watch the games, because I'll watch it the next day in the film room. I just try to tune out from baseball as much as I can when I get home.

Is there a ballpark that you haven't gotten to play in yet, that you're just dying to play a game in?
Yes, San Francisco. I didn't get to make that trip last year, so hopefully I can make it this year.

Outside of baseball, what are your hobbies?
I have a big shoe collection. Jordans. I got a big retro Jordan collection going. I have a lot, it's one of my hobbies. I enjoy fishing and boating as much as I can, but we miss most of those summer months. I try to go down to the [Florida] Keys as much as I can during the off-season. I like the outdoors and going to the beach.

Did you have a sports idol growing up?
Oh definitely. Michael Jordan, he was guy. I used to love watching him . . . just the way he competed.

So I guess it's safe to say if you couldn't be a baseball player, you'd want to be a basketball player?
Or a football player. Definitely a football player.

What position?
Oh, it switches everyday. From linebacker to running back to quarterback. I still think I could play, but it's probably not going to happen.

If you were stranded on the side of the road and couldn't call AAA, which teammate would you call?
Definitely Nick Stavinoha.

How come Nick?
I don't know. Somehow he just knows it all. [laughs]

Jon's St. Louis Favorites:
Steakhouse: Prime1000
1000 Washington St.; 314-241-1000

Restaurant: Mosaic
1001 Washington Ave.; 314-621-6001



(citysbest.com)

JUPITER, Fla. -- It took fewer than 24 hours for Jon Jay to get his number back.

Jay wore No. 15 last year as a member of the Cardinals. However, when the club announced that Jim Edmonds would be returning to the club on a Minor League deal, Jay surrendered Edmonds' famous uniform number. Jay expressed interest in No. 19, but Ramon Vazquez took that one, so Jay ended up with No. 22.

Once Edmonds announced his retirement, though, the wheels went in motion quickly. Jay wore No. 15 on Saturday, his first day on the field after the Cardinals announced that Edmonds would not be coming to camp.

Then again, a uniform number may not be the main benefit to Jay. With Edmonds out of the competition for a roster spot, Jay's chances of making the club for Opening Day can only improve.



(mlb.com)

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JUPITER, Fla. - Like a kid excited for the first day of school, Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay couldn't fall asleep late Sunday night as thoughts ran through his head about leaving early Monday morning to report to spring training in Jupiter.

So instead of tossing and turning in his bed all night, Jay decided to get up and make the 90-minute drive from his home in Miami to the Cardinals complex in Jupiter - at 2:30 in the morning.

Jay checked into his condo near Roger Dean Stadium and unpacked his bags early Monday morning before being one of the first players to show up in the Cardinals clubhouse.

"I didn't sleep all night," Jay said. "I was too excited and pumped up to be around everybody so I just got in my car and drove up here in the middle of the night."

Despite hitting .300 in his rookie season in the big leagues in 2010, Jay knows he's in for a battle just to make the roster this spring. Both Jay and Allen Craig were expected to see significant playing time in right-field before the club signed veteran Lance Berkman to man the spot.

Veteran Jim Edmonds was then signed to a minor league deal and will attempt to beat out Jay for a spot on the bench should he be healthy enough to do so.

"I wouldn't say it's disappointing because the Cardinals are known as one of the teams who will compete year in and year out and that's what happens when you are on a team like that," Jay said of the moves. "Sometimes it's better to be on a winning team and have a smaller role than to be on a losing team and have a bigger role. Hopefully I can stick around here and we can do some special things this year.

"I'm not too worried about who was brought in. If I can take care of what I need to take care of, everything will be fine. If I show up and I'm not ready and I don't do what I need to do to take care of, then I'm not going to merit a spot. I'm just looking forward to proving every day that I belong here."

Jay was hitting .396 when Ryan Ludwick was traded to the San Diego Padres. But he hit just .238 with nine extra-base hits in 176 at-bats from that point forward and was benched the final week of the season to ensure his batting average finish the season above .300.

Nobody expected Jay to continue hitting .396 the entire season but his dramatic drop off down the stretch was a concern. The left-handed hitting Jay said the slump was mainly just the law of averages playing out but admitted he has to be more consistent this year if he expects to remain in the big leagues.

"I went into a funk and it's one of those things where maybe it was a bad time to go into a funk," Jay said. "But I learned from it and this year it's going to be a test to see how quickly I can get out of that and how quickly I can make the adjustment. I take nothing but positive from last year and I got some valuable time here so I am looking forward to spring training and re-proving myself and continuing to show that I can play at this level.

"I think my hands were dropping a little bit too low but it was a combination of things. I was just missing pitches and not capitalizing on that. This is the big leagues. You miss your pitch and fall behind in the count and the pitcher is going to get you. I have to remember to work ahead in the count and continue to play my game. I'm excited for this year."

Jay is also the latest Cardinal to join the Twitter world. You can follow him @JonJayU.



(stlcardinals.scout.com)

Edmonds' arrival would seem to further lengthen the odds for two youngsters to make the team. Allen Craig and Jon Jay began the winter as the projected starting tandem in right field. Now, neither is even a sure thing to be on the roster. Craig may have a better chance as a right-handed hitter and potential platoon partner for Berkman. It also helps that he can play the infield in a pinch.

Jay, though, could be facing an uphill battle. Although he's able to play center field, his left-handedness could cost him. That's because La Russa recently said that he's considering infielder Tyler Greene, a speedy right-handed hitter, as a potential backup option in center.

"One of the things you would look at would be a right-handed-hitting center fielder," La Russa said. "Because there's going to be a day or two where Colby, or anybody, is going to sit. And it probably makes sense for that day to be against a left-hander who's really difficult. So a right-handed-hitting center fielder. So we talked about Tyler maybe getting some at-bats out there. Spring Training, we're kind of creative about what we try down there, with a point to make. Nothing crazy. In Tyler's case, you may see him play some center field."

That would be bad news for Jay, whose strongest argument for being on the roster may be his ability to play center. Then again, if Edmonds isn't able to go, Jay might be in fine shape. It's all to be determined in what should be a very interesting camp for Redbirds outfielders.



(mlb.com)