All-American moments bring lots of joy to Jones
SARASOTA, FLA. — Orioles center fielder Adam Jones returns from the World Baseball Classic with a burnished reputation as one of the game’s stars and great leaders, owed in part to the front-man role he played for the title-winning U.S. team.
Jones said he doesn’t feel as if he did anything outside of his usual game to earn that, but there’s no denying he elevated his stock this month with the U.S. team’s run — and he sees parallels with what makes the Orioles tick, too.
“I think it was just the world seeing me in a different light — different players seeing me in a different light,” Jones said. “Like I said, I didn’t do anything different than I do in the clubhouse here. I just tried to lead by example. I probably was a little more vocal during the WBC, just because I’m ramped up and it’s a different pride factor at this point. I just do the same thing I do in this clubhouse, but now I think the world has gotten to see how the Orioles have been successful the last five years. It’s not just me, obviously, but the leadership, the way you play the game — you can’t quantify that in any equations.
Jones had several marquee moments in the tournament. He had a walk-off hit in the United States’ first game against Colombia, and ended the tournament with two home runs, five RBIs and one iconic catch over the center-field wall to rob teammate Manny Machado of a home run in an elimination game against the Dominican Republic.
He acknowledged that the catch meant more than any old play simply because of the team he was representing.
“Pretty cool catch, pretty cool moment,” Jones said. “I’m sorry it had to be my boy Manny. It’s part of the game, part of that process. Pretty special to do it at home in San Diego. Obviously, it’s on various outlets, but great picture with USA across my chest, right in front of the logo, right in front of some American flags.”
Bourn return delayed: A Friday visit to a hand specialist determined that outfielder Michael Bourn’s broken right index finger will remain in a splint for two more weeks, meaning the veteran won’t likely return from the early spring training injury until late April at the earliest.
“If I did [get the splint off now], it would be rushing it,” Bourn said. “I’m with the doctor on this one.”
Lee optioned: The Orioles optioned left-hander Chris Lee to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday, ending his stint in major league camp after two audition starts for a rotation spot but not eliminating him from contention for that job, manager Buck Showalter said.