BALTIMORE (AP) -Jay Payton never kept secret his desire to be more than just a reserve outfielder with the Baltimore Orioles.
From the start of the season to the end of July, Payton groused about a lack of playing time. He told his teammates, reporters and even manager Dave Trembley. Yet for four months, the 35-year-old veteran dutifully served as a backup, ready to come off the bench when needed.
His patience has been rewarded. With Adam Jones sidelined indefinitely with a fractured foot, Payton has taken over as the starting center fielder.
“Now, I’m getting a chance to play. That’s the benefit of having a guy like me. I can play all three outfield spots, I can start, I can come off the bench, I can do whatever,” Payton said Saturday. “That’s basically what I’ve been here for all year.”
Most of all, though, Payton needs to see his name in the starting lineup.
“Payton just wants to play. That’s all he wants to do,” Trembley said. “I dare say I’ve had to spend an awful lot of time since early in spring training having to remind him that (Nick) Markakis, Jones and Luke Scott were going to be the three guys out there, but that he had a place on this club that would be of value.”
Entering Saturday’s game against Texas, Payton had six home runs, 36 RBIs and a .246 average in 95 games. He thought he might be dealt before the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31. Now, he must wait until the Aug. 31 trading deadline to see if he’s headed out of Baltimore.
“It could still definitely happen,” Payton said. “I’m happy to be here now, and getting the chance to play. That’s been my thing all along – I either wanted an opportunity to play or an opportunity to go somewhere and have a chance to get into the playoffs. If you can do both, that’s great. But right now, I’m getting the opportunity to play and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
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