One of them last played at the Rogers Centre in 2008 and the other made his major league debut there in 2009.  This veteran slugger and rookie pitcher are the focus of this eclectic and electric extravaganza known as the Batter's Box POTD!

The Washington Nationals Adam Dunn shows his "lack of passion for baseball" while former and current Yankee Nick Johnson stretches besides him before a July 27th game at Miller Park in Milwaukee.

Dunn mans his position in left field during first inning action.  Moments later, Dunn rediscovered his passion for the game by throwing out former Jay Felipe Lopez at the plate to limit Milwaukee to just a one-run inning.

If that wasn't enough, he went 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk, two runs scored and two RBI as the Nats drank the Brew Crew dry by a score of 14-6.  As an aside, these photos were taken from inside the TGI Friday Front Row Sports Bar & Grill and I highly recommend having a bite to eat there before, during or after a game. 

The 30 year-old Dunn put together a fine 2009 campaign with Washington by hitting .267/.398/.529 with 29 doubles, 38 homers, 105 runs batted in and 116 walks.  The Houston native is about to enter his 10th major league season after spending his first eight years with Cincinnati.  He was later dealt by the Reds to Arizona in 2008 before signing a two-year, $20-million dollar free agent deal with Washington. 

Before he was traded to the Diamondbacks, Dunn was the target of a cheap shot by J.P. Ricciardi during a post game radio call-in show.  The ex-Jays GM was asked by a caller about the possibility of the Jays acquiring Dunn as he was set to become a free agent after the 2008 season.  Here's how Ricciardi responded........

"Let me ask you something. What do you know about Adam Dunn? Do you know the guy doesn’t really like baseball that much?  Do you know the guy doesn’t have a passion to play the game that much? How much do you know about the player? There’s a reason why you’re attracted to some players and there’s a reason why you’re not attracted to some players. I don’t think you’d be very happy if we brought Adam Dunn here … We’ve done our homework on guys like Adam Dunn and there’s a reason why we don’t want Adam Dunn. I don’t want to get into specifics.......He’s a lifetime .230, .240 hitter that strikes out a ton and hits home runs."

It was bad enough Ricciardi criticized Dunn but the timing was even worse as the Reds came to town the following week.  Though the Jays wound up taking two of three from Cincinnati, Dunn went 4-for-12 with three doubles, two walks and an RBI.  In response, Dunn called Ricciardi a clown - an assessment many Jays fans would probably agree with. 

New York Yankees left-hander Michael Dunn is introduced on the outfield scoreboard at the Rogers Centre September 4th.  

Dunn delivers against the Jays in the seventh inning with his team trailing by four.

Dunn can always say he pitched a no-hitter in his big league debut.  However, the 24 year-old left-hander from Farmington, New Mexico did give up two runs on three walks in two-thirds of an inning.  Dunn retired the right-handed hitting Rod Barajas on a liner to left to get the first batter he faced but wound up walking left-handed hitters Travis Snider and Joe Inglett.  A fielder's choice by John McDonald resulted in a second out but Dunn was lifted by manager Joe Girardi after walking Marco Scutaro.  Jonathan Albaladejo couldn't maintain Dunn's 0.00 ERA as he surrendered a two-run double by Aaron Hill to cap off a 6-0 Jays victory.  He went on to throw two scoreless innings in his next two appearances against the Rays and Orioles but he was touched up by the Jays again September 15th as he gave up a run in 1 1/3 innings in a 10-4 Jays win.

Dunn was recently traded to Atlanta with outfielder Melky Cabrera and minor league pitcher Arodys Vizcaino in exchange for righty Javier Vazquez and lefty Boone Logan.  He struck out 99 batters in 73 1/3 innings with AA Trenton and AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before being called up to New York September 1st.  Dunn throws a heater in the 93-95 MPH range with a slider and change up in the mid-80's.