31 is not “old”. (I’m just sayin’)

This is Jason Lane.

 

Jason has played professional baseball for 6 years in the National League (with the Astros and the Padres). This season, he signed a minor-league contract with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. On August 13th, he came off the 7-day disabled list and soon after he opted out of his contract with the Yankees…and signed with the Red Sox.

So, of course, he’s now my second favorite player on the PawSox. 😆

“I’m excited to come here and get some bats and help this team win”, Lane said (according to the PawSox Blog).

The PawSox can use the extra body and I’m always excited to see a journeyman get another shot.

Some Jason Lane trivia:

Jason was the guy who hit the last home run at Busch Memorial Stadium (On October 19, 2005).

Jason also hit a controversial home run in Game 3 of the 2005 World Series (which ended up not mattering since the White Sox won the game and, ultimately, the series).

I interrupt my own entry for this brief note: I started writing this at around midnight last night and literally fell asleep while doing so. My plan was to write about Jason and Kyle Snyder being on the same team and how they must feel about being on a team with a bunch of guys at the beginnings of their careers and how great it would be if they both got called up in September. Ironically, or not, when I woke up this morning I found out that RSC fave Steven Krasner had a similar idea for a story. And he has access – so I’m going to quote his piece instead:

One is a hitter and an outfielder/first baseman. The other is a pitcher. One joined the team yesterday. The other returned from a rehabilitation assignment a week ago. They each have considerable big-league experience.

And if they each have their wishes granted, Jason Lane and Kyle Snyder will be back in the majors when the Boston Red Sox can expand their roster on Sept. 1.

But while they’re playing for the Pawtucket Red Sox over the final 12 days of the regular season, including last night’s game against the Syracuse Chiefs at McCoy Stadium, Lane and Snyder hope they can show enough over that stretch and maybe in the playoffs to warrant a call to Boston.

Of course this is the ultimate goal. Unfortunately for many PawSox fans, their team is in the middle of a heated pennant race and is practically assured a spot in the playoffs. The last regular season game for Pawtucket (which I’ll be at!) is on Labor Day. Then the playoffs begin – and the Red Sox are able to make their September call-ups.

Last season, the call-ups helped the club considerably. The same could happen this year. But what’s that do to the championship chances of the PawSox?

I’m going to be honest – I want to see Kyle up with the club in September. I wouldn’t mind seeing Lane there as well. I think Kyle really deserves another shot in MLB AND I think he could truly help the team. His injury this year had nothing to do with his arm (as he points out in Krasner’s piece) and with the bullpen (I’m looking at YOU Manny Delcarmen) being in the state it is, I really believe he could be a help out there. Which could suck for the PawSox since he’s been a reliable guy to bring out of the bullpen since he’s been off the dl. The thing is, this was such a bad year for Kyle physically, that he really needs to be able to show the Red Sox (or baseball in general, really) that he’s healthy and able to be a contributer.

“I just want to show people I’m healthy. My injury had nothing to do with my arm,” said Snyder, who gave up four runs in two appearances, totaling 1 2/3 innings, for Boston before being designated for assignment on April 6.

Snyder, who hasn’t allowed a run in two outings, totaling three innings, since returning, said he doesn’t look ahead to see what decisions Boston might be making.

“You just focus on today because that’s how the industry works,” said Snyder yesterday. “(A call-up) is for them to decide, but that would be nice for me, not just to get a recall but to finish with an extra month. I’d love to keep going a little bit.”

It would be tough to see Kyle go. Really tough.  But I’ve had the season to deal with it – I hope. (MLB.tv, the Extra Innings package…with these things I can always keep following his career!) The main thing is that he keeps getting to play baseball. Hopefully, a call-up allows him to help the team AND help himself at the same time. My fingers are crossed.

Oh yeah, this was supposed to be all about Jason Lane. Dude flipped the Yankees the bird and joined the Red Sox. How can you not love him already?

Welcome to Pawtucket, Jason Lane. You have no idea what you’re in for.