WASHINGTON -- Jason Bay is making his last visit to the nation's capital as an outsider looking in.
On Thursday, July 2, the Red Sox outfielder will officially become a United States citizen.
"I figure I might as well since this is where I'll be working for probably the rest of my career," said Bay prior to the Red Sox' 6-4 win over the Nationals, Wednesday night, at Nationals Park. "It's just a natural progression."
The 30-year-old Bay was born and grew up in the Canadian city of Trail, British Columbia, but has been going to school and working in the United States since attending North Idaho Community College in 1997. He will carry dual citizenship between the U.S. and Canada.
Bay's journey toward becoming an American citizen picked up steam last when he found himself spending almost the entirety of the Red Sox' 2-hour, 26-minute rain delay against the Florida Marlins last Thursday studying for his citizenship exam.
At 9 a.m. the next day, accompanied by his lawyer and wife, Kristen, Bay journeyed to the John F. Kennedy Federal Building and aced the 10-question test.
Bay had been presented 100 questions that could potentially be on the exam, 10 which were going to be used, with the student having to get at least six of them correct.
Some of the questions Bay received were: 1. How long is a United States senator's term? 2. Who is third in the chain of command behind the President and Vice-President? 3. Who is the current Speaker of the House? 4. When is Independence Day in the U.S.?
The most recent Red Sox player to gain his United States' citizenship while playing for the team was David Ortiz, who was sworn in last June. Manny Ramirez also became a United States citizen in 2006, celebrating his accomplishment by carrying a flag of his new country while running out to his position in left field at Fenway Park.
"I don't think I'll do that," the new Sox' left fielder said.
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