Jason Lee "Jay" Payton is a former Major League Baseballoutfielder. He has played for the New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Oakland AthleticsBaltimore Orioles and the Colorado Rockies in 2010. He batted and threw right-handed. Payton was an opposite-field hitter with some power. He had great speed as a runner, but did not steal many bases. Defensively, he was a solid outfielder with an above-average arm, and his quickness getting rid of the ball helped him hold baserunners on the base paths. He is currently serving as an in game analyst with ESPNU for college baseball.
Selected by the Mets in the first round of the 1994 amateur draft, Payton hadn't fulfilled the great expectations he projected Georgia Tech when he was drafted in the first round with fellow All Americans and Teammates Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Varitek, due in large part to four surgeries while in the minor leagues. Payton had three elbow surgeries, two of which were Tommy John, and surgery on his left shoulder. He spent the better part of his first five years on and off the DL while rehabbing from surgeries. He made his debut in 1998 after finally battling through all the elbow troubles. He helped lead the Mets to a World Series berth as the starting CF in 2000, his official rookie year, in which he finished third in the rookie of the year voting. In Game 2 of the World Series, Payton hit a dramatic home run against Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning, the second and last postseason home run Rivera gave up in his career. With limited duty in 2001 due to a torn hamstring early in the season, the Mets finally gave up on him and he was traded to the Rockies during the 2002 season.
2003–2010
In 2003, Payton enjoyed his most productive season with career highs in home runs, RBI, runs, hits, doubles, on-base percentage, slugging average, at bats and games played, and added a respectable.302 batting average. He was signed by San Diego as a free agent at the end of the season. But Payton had a subpar 2004 season batting.260 with eight homers and 55 RBI in 143 games. In December, he was sent to Boston for Dave Roberts and took over Roberts' role as the team's fourth outfielder. Payton was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on July 7,, after being publicly disgruntled over his lack of playing time. On July 13, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics for pitcher Chad Bradford. On July 15, Payton hit a home run in his first at bat with the A's, and earned a cult status for a brief period after winning many games for the A's with an otherwise struggling offense. In 2006, Payton played regularly in the outfield for the Athletics while batting.296 with 10 home runs and 59 RBIs. On July 3,, he hit his 100th career home run. On December 8, Payton agreed to terms on a two-year, $9.75 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles. In March 2009, Payton suffered a shoulder injury while lifting weights. On January 20, 2010, Payton signed a minor league contract with his former team the Colorado Rockies. Payton was called up to the Colorado Rockies active roster in September after spending most of the season with the Rockies minor league affiliate the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. He hit.343 with the Rockies in 35 AB. He retired in February 2011.
Career statistics
In 1259 games over 12 seasons, Payton posted a.279 batting average with 561 runs, 193 doubles, 30 triples, 119 home runs, 522 RBI, 47 stolen bases, 255 bases on balls,.323 on-base percentage and.425 slugging percentage. He finished his career with a.987 fielding percentage playing at all three outfield positions. In 21 postseason games, he hit.253 with 9 runs, 3 home runs and 10 RBI.
