Still gotta earn it!!!

Jay... Awesome to see you blogging here. I actually just posted an article about my thoughts on the trade.

How's the offseason going for you this year, still working out with Adam?

Do us Red's fans a favor and win the starting job and stay in centerfield for 15 years. We are looking forward to it. Catch you in spring training!!

Jay, us Reds fans are excited to see you on yardbarker and even more excited to see you in Cincy this year. I'm curious, what areas of your game do you think you most need to improve?

Hmmmmm....the part of my game I need to improve on the most would definitely have to be cutting down on strikeouts(135 last year is completely unacceptable), and learning to steal more bases. I think both of those will improve with more experience.

Hi Jay.. do you feel your a better in CF or RF as far as your future goes?

I personally feel more comfortable in center, and I also play centerfield much better than I play right as of now, but if the reds need me in right at some point, I will work at it and play there just fine.

Jay, what kind of off season program are you doing to be ready for spring training?

When I get home, I usually take about a month completely off. Starting in november I start lifting 3 times a week, increasing to 4 time a week in December. By Jan. I'm goin 5 days a week. In the first few months its heavy lifting, and very little baseball activity. Towards the end, it starts getting more baseball related.

JAY: YOU ARE THE MAN.

Thanks homie

Jay, thanks for all the hard work you've done to try to develop into the best ballplayer that you can be. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to watching you for years to come in Cincinnati.

hey Jay, just wanted to say good luck with the team this year since I am a Reds fan. I've been watching you play since you got drafted by the reds in 05. Just wanted to say that you have all the tools and fundamentals ( maybe work on your plate discipline) to become a huge star. Have you ever asked Griffey or Dunn for any pointers? If so, what have they told you.

Thanks man, and I'm working on that plate discipline haha....itll come along with experience, don't worry. I havent really asked a whole lot of questions, but I try and listen and take in whatever I can from everyone, including Griffey and Dunner. What I've learned from being around the major league guys in the short amount of time I have is that there is always somethign to learn. So, I just shutup and listen haha.

Not a Reds fan, but welcome to the yard. Oh, Go Angels.

Thanks rayj, no worries about not being a reds fan. Maybe we can change that at some point.

Totally psyched to have a top prospect in the Yard! Keep up the hard work Jay. Cant wait to watch you in spring training.

It's a pleasure to be here...so far this site has been soooo tyyte....and yeah dude spring will be here before we know it.

Jay, good to see you on Yardbarker...oddly enough, I just started a painting of you. Here's a link to check it out if you're interested:
http://www.cincysportsart.com/jbruce.html
I'm actually a displaced Cubs fan here in the 'Nati...but Ii'm a baseball fan first and foremost, and with the arrival of Homer, and the impending arrival of you and Joey Votto...there's definitely something to look forward to for once with the Reds. Just wanted to welcome you and wish you my best for this season. I look forward to seeing yo play here in Cincy sometime soon...you should enjoy the way the ball travels at GABP!

P.S. - if anyone's interested, i running a contest too, to help pick a name for the Jay Bruce painting once it's finished. the winner get's a print of the painting. if you're interested, here's the link to enter your title idea.
http://www.cincysportsart.com/jbrucecontest.html
Jay, feel free to submit your ideas too, if you'd like...you're not exempt from winning...although I'm more than happy to send you some prints for free if you want any. right now the frontrunner is "Bruce Almighty".

Haha I do have to say that someone painting a portrait of me is a first....and, other than the fact I would have chosen a different picture to paint of me....that is one of the coolest things I've seen yet... and about the cubs....The reds will make you forget you were ever a cubs fan soon enough....patience..We definetly have a really strong core of a team already....plus the younger guys that are coming up.....it should mean good things for years to come for the nasty Nati. thanks for being a fan

thanks, jay, glad you like it so far. i chose this picture because a lot of the other ones i was thinking about using were all of you swinging or facing the other direction -- and couldn't see your face. and, as easy as one of those would have been, i wanted to find something a little more challenging for this project.

as far as the cubs, i'm devoted for life -- as much as it pains me to say. haha but, since i moved here about 8 years ago, i've always cheered for the reds (when not playing the cubs)...so, i'll continue to show my support. i typically go to 20-40 games a summer so hopefully i'll get to see you play quite a bit sometime soon. pretty much since the reds drafted you and homer, things have been looking up -- and, well, ever since they did away with that retarded "take the 1st pitch rule". anyways, glad you like the painting so far (besides the photo choice anyways. haha). glad to hear you're as optimistic as i am about the reds near future. can't wait to see you suit up down here!

Just wanted to pass along an updated photo of the painting. Still a long way to go, though!

Later,
Jason

Man that is sick about Josh. Also cool how you still have that attitude towards everything. i sure you're the type of guy that takes care of his friends. Have a good Christmas or Hannaquh if thats your cup of tea. Man you should really try some of Puppy Chow with Chex. It's really good bro.

thanks man... will do....I do what I can for my homies.

Jay, good luck in spring training, I don't think the Hamilton trade happens if the Reds didn't think you were ready to win the job. Also I see on your profile that you are a fan of The Office, so you just made the leap to one of my favorite players. Can't wait to see you in Cincinnati.

Yeah man I hope they are thinking the same thing about the Hamilton trade.....Now what I gotta do is capitalize on this move they made. and the Office is the funniest show on TV..I love it. Thanks for the luck man,

I saw a couple of your at bats last yr in Sarasota and love your swing man- Im happy to have you in our city- Im excited to see the level of chemistry skip Baker brings to the club.....i never miss a game via radio, tv, or podcast...should be an exciting year- my best to Josh

I appreciate the compliment man.....From the few times I've been to Cinci, Its been great. I'm excited to be there. Dusty has coached some pretty elite players and teams, so he should do nothing but improve the Organization as a whole. Hopefully you'll be listening to the reds in October next year.

Jay,
This is your agent calling. Wow, Josh getting traded was awesome for all of us. I'll see you in CF March 31 at 2:10.
Matt

haha I do have to say the trade worked out both ways.....see you there ;)

So Jay I'm a mets fan lol anyways what are some of your things u like to do in your downtime or an off day?

I like to play guitar hero, bowl, hang out with my friends, surf the net, watch movies, and just chill out really.

Jay, so glad to have you in the Reds organization. It's been a while since Reds fan have had something to cheer for, but with the soon arrival of you, plus Homer/Cueto/Votto/Volquez, things are finally starting to look up for Reds fans. I look forward to watching you patrol CF in Cincinnati in the very near future. Good luck Jay!
Oh, and you should come visit us at Redszone.com!

Thanks for being a fan. The organization has made a complete turnaround, and I say we are now one of the best in all of baseball....You couldn't ask for a better group of young pitchers right now( yes, even hughes/kennedy/chamberlain).... I might just come over and check that out.

So Jay, hoping you make CF out of ST, would you want to bat leadoff since that hole was vacated with the departure of Josh?

To be honest with you, wherever I could get in there and contribute would be great...Although, so far in my career I haven't been the ideal leadoff hitter... I REALLY need to be more patient, and quit striking out so d@%n much haha. I definitely think my k/bb ratio will improve with more experience. So, if it came down to it....the answer to your question would be absolutely, I'll hit 1st if need be.

I heard your middle name was "Eff'n" Is this true?

I wish haha.....is Allen close?

So how's it been playing with studs like Bailey and Votto? You three stallions must have went through just about every hot girl in Louisville. I can't wait till all of you are together in Cincy. Maybe I'll be next...? Hope to see you in Cincy soon.

It's a treat to have the experience to play with those guys.....Haha and about the girls, I have a wonderful girlfriend of 3 years, so not so much. Hey man you just might be next. See ya.

Jay, I have always wondered how much practice a day you did as a teenager. I am a freshman in high school, just outside of Cincinnati. I am a huge Reds fan. You are quickly becoming one of my favorite players. That's mostly because of the attitude I have seen from you. I went to Spring Training with my dad last year, and you seemed to be out there more than anyone hitting off the batting ts and stuff. I hope for you to be starting opening day. Go Reds!

Yeah man...In highschool, hitting and practicing was just fun for me...I didn't ever see it as "practice"....Honestly, ever chance I had to hit, I did..... Don't get me wrong, I had a good time in school. I was just lucky enough to have friends that were as dedicated as I was for the most part. All I can say is to enjoy highschool, and you are the best judge of how much practice and work is needed.

What up Jay...welcome to the Yard. Do you follow the trade rumors? like the one that sends you to Baltimore for Eric Bedard? At the very least you've gotta feel pumped to be in that company.

I follow some of the rumors, but they are only that: rumors. All I can say is I'm a red until I'm a red no more. It is always nice to be mentioned with such successful big leaguers though.

Great Article Jay loving your attitude towards the game! Its nice to see another baseball player to be playing for the love of the game not just the big paycheck they have coming in. Born in Cincinnati in 1990 my 18th b-day is actually around the corner January 3rd! Go Cinci and thanks Jay for loving the game like the fans truly do!

Well happy early b-day....Gotta love it to truly enjoy it. The day I stop having fun I'm quitting.

You'll be a safe bet on playing time this year. Freel will eventually hurt himself doing something crazy. How many times have you dived head first into the wall?

Haha freel plays the game hard, and he can't be faulted for that....We will see what happens.. I think I"ve run into the wall about 3 times probably..I try not to make it a habit.

Thanks man ! Hah and ya about Freel you can count on him to give 100% no matter what! You will do the same once ya get out their though! Even though i agree that the wall should not be a close friend lol. Happy Holidays man! And i have no doubt once you get out on the field your giving nothing short of 100% !

Jay,
What is it like to be a "Red?" can you talk about the fanbase and what you feel about the organization?