Former Red Jay Bruce Part Of Historic Win Streak

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As a 19-year old, Jay Bruce was invited to spring training in Sarasota, Florida with the big league team. 

Adam Dunn took Bruce under his wing, explaining the Major League facts of life to him and occasionally,  playing tricks on the young player.

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Dunn held a players’ only meeting in which he brought a karaoke machine to the clubhouse in Sarasota.  Like a fraternity hazing session, rookies were assigned a song to sing.  Dunn assigned Bruce, Barry Manilow’s Copa Cabana.  Bruce dutifully sang the tune.  Two years later, Bruce was given a spring day off by Dusty Baker.  Dunn called and text Bruce and asked him why he was late.  Dunn convinced Bruce that he was mistaken and expected to be at the spring complex. Bruce got to the park before Dunn told him that he’d been had.

Bruce is not the type ro play such practical jokes but he is the type to help a younger player.

The last two years that Bruce was in the organization, Jesse Winker was the benefit of Bruce
s guidance.  Winker to this day wears the batting gloves that Bruce gave him.  Winker is in the position Bruce vactated when he was traded a little more than a year ago to the New York Mets.

Winker stays in touch and pulls for the former Red, who was traded to the Cleveland Indians on August 8 for minor leaguer Ryder Ryan.

Since Bruce joined the Indians the Tribe is 31-6, including the last 22 in a row with Bruce getting the walkoff, game-winning hit in the bottom of the 10th inning on Thursday night.

Winker is watching his mentor with hopes of being a part of something special like that one day.

“I watched the wall off last night.  It was really cool,” Winker said.  “I’m sure it’s very fun to be a part of.  I was talking to him the other day about something.  I asked him what’s it like.  He just told me it’s an incredible feeling. Obviously, it is baseball history. I am sure it’s a cool feeling.”