Jay Gibbons (b. March 2, 1977, Rochester, Michigan) is a right fielder for the Baltimore Orioles. He also plays first base and has spent all of his career in the major leagues with the Orioles.

Gibbons was a graduate of Mayfair High School in Lakewood, California. He played college ball at California State University, Los Angeles.

He wore #25 until Rafael Palmeiro signed a contract with the Orioles in 2004. Out of respect for the older and more established Palmeiro, Jay switched to #31, which he still wears, although Palmeiro is no longer on the Orioles.

Professional career

Gibbons was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 14th round of the 1998 amateur draft and that season captured the Pioneer League Triple Crown with the Medicine Hat Blue Jays, hitting .397 with 19 homers and 98 RBI. After the 2000 season, he was picked up by the Baltimore Orioles in the Rule V Draft. As a rookie the following season, he hit 15 home runs before a hand injury cut short his season. The next year, he hit a career-best 28 homers.

In 2003, "Gibby" had another excellent season. Playing in a career-high 160 games, he established personal bests in batting average and RBI and was voted Team MVP.

In 2004, Gibbons suffered multiple injuries and only played in 97 games. Because of his hobbling injuries, his numbers plummeted: his batting average was a mere .246, and he hit only 10 homers.

After the 2004 season, he had LASIK eye surgery to improve his declining eyesight, which went from 20-10 to 20-35 in only a few months. He bounced back with a solid 2005 season as he hit .277 with 26 HR's and 79 RBI's in 139 games.

Steroid allegations

On September 30, 2006, the Los Angeles Times reported that former relief pitcher Jason Grimsley, during a June 6, 2006 federal raid, told federal agents investigating steroids in baseball named Gibbons as a user of "anabolic steroids." The Times reported that Gibbons was one of five names blacked out in an affidavit filed in federal court. However, on October 3, 2006, the Washington Post reported that San Francisco United States attorney Kevin Ryan said that the Los Angeles Times report contained "significant inaccuracies." Gibbons, along with the other four players named, has denounced the story.
Source : Wikipedia