Jayson Nix hopes his silver-lining season ends in a gold medal.
Nix, 25, began the season as the Rockies’ starting second baseman, only to be shipped back to Triple-A Colorado Springs — twice — because of his struggles at the plate.
Difficult to swallow? Sure. But circumstances freed up Nix to play for Team USA in the Summer Olympics in Beijing next month. To be eligible for Team USA, Nix had to be playing in the minors.
“It’s been a tough year, trying to break in and stick in the big leagues and I haven’t been very successful at it yet,” Nix said Thursday in a teleconference. “But I’m looking at this as a positive, getting a chance to represent my country.”
Team USA officials wanted Nix on the roster because of his talent and also because of his experience in international competition. Nix helped lead Team USA to a gold medal at the World Cup last November, hitting .371 in 35 at-bats.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
