Keep Adam Jones

As we approach the end of another difficult baseball season for Orioles fans, we note the loss of many of our marquee players to other teams. But the player that has meant the most to the Orioles and the city of Baltimore and beyond for the past 14 years remains with the team — Adam Jones (“Orioles’ decision to bench Adam Jones sets up awkward final weeks of season,” Sept. 11). For 14 seasons, Adam has been the team leader and face of the Orioles as well as a generous contributor to the community.

Adam is cut of the same cloth as the Orioles players of the past whom we hold in such high regard. Losing Adam will not only diminish the Orioles, but the community will be deprived of a truly admirable man. As an Oriole, Adam is fifth all-time in home-runs. He is a five time All-Star and has won four Gold Glove Awards. And he leads the league in smacking fellow players in the face with whipped-cream pies. He is clearly destined for the Orioles Hall of Fame.

Off the field, Adam is as much an MVP having contributed his time and treasure (by some estimates in the hundreds of thousands of dollars) to the greater Baltimore community. Players of Adam’s caliber, on and off the field, are rare, especially today. Whether you are an Orioles fan or not, everyone in Baltimore should celebrate Adam and what he has given us. That is why the Orioles should do everything they can to keep him.

Adam should finish his career in Baltimore just like Cal, Brooks, and others have. I plan to attend the next to last home game on September 29 with my “Keep Adam” sign and invite everyone to do the same. Even if we can’t convince the Orioles to re-sign Adam, let’s at least show him our appreciation before he is gone like so many of our other top players.