The Baltimore Orioles officially clinched a spot in the postseason Sunday for the first time since 2016. While the excitement around this achievement is palpable, it also serves as a poignant reminder of a bygone era in Orioles baseball, personified by the legendary MLBbro Adam Jones. And as Baltimore embarks on their postseason journey, it is evident that the torch has been passed to a new generation, led by none other than MLBbro Cedric Mullins.
Jones, a transcendent athlete, five-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glover, and Silver Slugger, was the heart and soul of Orioles baseball for over a decade. Jones’s contributions and memorable moments, both for Team USA and at Camden Yards, will forever be etched in the hearts of Orioles fans.
In a symbolic gesture, Jones retired as an Oriole on Sept. 15, despite his last season on the field being in 2019. His retirement ceremony marked the end of an epoch, and his handing over the reins to the next Black staple center fielder in Mullins signaled a new beginning for the Orioles.
However, the rebuild began long before Jones’ retirement.
On Aug. 10, 2018, Jones stepped aside to allow the rookie Mullins to take center stage, symbolizing the transition of leadership.
He mentored and shared his wisdom with young talents who would later become instrumental in the Orioles’ resurgence in 2023. Players like Anthony Santander, Austin Hays, and Mullins benefited from Jones’s guidance during the challenging years of rebuilding.
“When we started to really stink in the summer of ‘17, and again in ‘18, I tried to let the young guys who were coming up — once we did all the trades — let them know that the big leagues are tough,” said Jones, who played 11 of his 14 MLB seasons for Baltimore. “’I’m not going to be this rude veteran to you guys. I’m going to try and explain the game in a crash course because we’re all going to be gone after these two months.’”
“So I just tried to explain to those guys how the Major League life is and give them the best advice I could.”
Following their clinched postseason spot, Hays, Mullins, and Santander reflected on their journey with unanimous jubilation, declaring in unison, “We did it!”
“They are leading this charge,” Jones said. “You hear them talk, they’ve been through the tough years. And to see what they have now, it’s fun that they’re getting to lead it. There’s nothing better than when you go through the mud and then you get out.”
Mullins is resilient, much like Jones during his early days in the league. After returning from the injured list on Aug. 11, he struggled initially but has since risen to the occasion. Now fully healthy, he’s returned to true captain form, making an impact offensively and with his glove. In the crucial month of September, he’s batting .268 with two doubles, three homers, and 16 RBI, heating up just in time for the Orioles’ quest for their first postseason win since 2014.
“This is something I’ve always dreamed about,” Mullins said. “For us to be able to come back from previous years, and now we’re here, it feels amazing.”
Mullins and teammates embody the grit and determination that comes with the Baltimore faithful while bringing their own fun and flavor to the game.
The future of Orioles baseball is bright, and it’s clear that Jones has played an indelible role in shaping that future. And there might not be a better player to carry the Orioles legacy than Mullins.
Jones played 11 of his 14 MLB seasons with the Baltimore Orioles and distinguished himself as one of the best all-around talents of his era. AJ explains why it was so important to him and his kids to finish with B-More.
LOS ANGELES – The best team in the American League is signing a franchise legend one last time.
The Baltimore Orioles announced that former outfielder Adam Jones would sign a one-day contract with the team to officially retire as an Oriole. The team announced that they would be having a ceremony on September 15th before their game against the Rays to commemorate Jones and his 11 seasons that he wore the O’s across his chest.
Jones ranks among the top 10 in Orioles history in games played (1,613), hits (1,781), homers (263), doubles (305), RBIs (866) and runs scored (875).
Adam Jones Was An MLBbro All-Star
During his tenure from 2008-2018 playing his home games at Camden Yards, Jones had a .279/.319/.459 slashline and didn’t miss a single game during the 2012 season.
The 5x All-Star, 3x Gold Glove winner and 2013 Silver Slugger award winner played 14 seasons. He produced a .277 batting average, 282 Bro bombs, 945 RBI, and had 1,937 hits. Jones had many memorable moments as the party starter for the Orioles’ offense, but his proudest moment happened as a member of Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
It was another watershed moment as MLBbros led the way for USA Baseball’s first championship. Behind the superior pitching of Marcus Stroman, the clutch hitting of Andrew McCutchen and “The Catch” by Jones that will forever live in baseball lore, USA defeated DR in the semis and PR in the finals for sweet victory.
There Was Much More Than WBC Glory
The 38-year-old Jones was selected with the 37th pick in the 2003 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners, originally drafted as a shortstop and a pitcher out of Samuel F.B. Morse High School in San Diego, California. He made the transition to the outfield when the Mariners acquired Yuniesky Betancourt, and made his MLB debut with the team on July 14th, 2006.
Jones spent a season and a half in the Pacific Northwest, and then was traded along with four other pitchers to Baltimore in exchange for left-handed pitcher Érik Bédard. He didn’t see his first postseason action until 2012, when they beat the Texas Rangers in the Wild Card game, eventually losing to the New York Yankees in the fifth and final game of the divisional series.
The furthest Jones ever made it in his quest for the World Series was the ALCS in 2014 when they were the second seed in the AL, taking out the Tigers in the divisional series, and eventually being swept in the ALCS by the Kansas City Royals.
After his final season with the Orioles, Jones signed a one-year contract worth $3 million with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he had a .260/.313/.414 slashline. He then played two seasons in the Japanese baseball league with the Orix Buffaloes, with his last baseball game being played in 2021.
Adam Jones Was A Voice For Black Ballplayers
Besides his terrific career on the field, he was very active voice off the field. He’s been a huge voice in speaking out against systemic and overt racism in the game, as he had multiple occasions where fans yelled racist remarks and threw objects at him. He understood during his time that there weren’t too many Black players and that Black fans were underrepresented. Jones conducted himself with class and dignity, providing a serious, gritty and professional element to the locker room. The dynamic elements of his all-around game did most of the talking for him.
He has also been very active with the Players Alliance, whose goal is to help create paths and opportunities to diversify baseball from the youth onward. The organization includes several retired and current players like Mookie Betts, Aaron Judge, Tim Anderson, just to name a few. So while he may not be a voice as a current MLB player, he still makes sure to contribute and help change the game today. Jones is also one of the veteran presences in the game that has inspired the next generation of MLBbros.
Ending his career as a Buffalo was not the ending that neither Jones nor Baltimore wanted. They both knew he needed to retire as an Oriole. So while his days of hitting and robbing home runs may be over, September 15th will be a day to give one final reminder to baseball fans everywhere what an outstanding all-around player and class act Adam Jones was.
As the WBC rolls around former MLBbro All-Star centerfielder Adam Jones‘ name makes its way back into the baseball conscience. Jones’ incredible catch, robbing Manny Machado of a sure homer, with the US leading DR 4-2 in the seventh inning of the World Baseball Classic semifinals.
Jones’ all-time great catch stole the momentum back from the tournament favorite enroute to a championship game demolition of Puerto Rico (8-0) to capture Team USA’s first WBC title.
Recently, Jones, who has no problem breaking baseball down like a James Brown bridge for anyone who craves it, offered his thoughts on the mixed emotions towards San Diego Padres star Manny Machado, who has opted out of his contract and will be a free agent at the end of the season. Of course, Padres fans don’t want a player of his ilk to leave, right when the franchise is starting to blossom again. But Jones is a starch defender of players rights as evidenced by his influential role in MLB’s Player’s Alliance.
Jones responded to a Tweet about Manny Machado’s appearance on 97.3 The Fan, where the six-time discussed the tough decision of opting out.
“It’s obviously a hard decision for me and my family, but it’s not about myself or anything. Some people might say, ‘He just wants the money.’ No, we love San Diego. We have a home there. We love this organization, we love the way things have been moving around here, and going in the right direction.
“But at the end of the day, sometimes business is business. And I think it wouldn’t be in my interest if I — you know, the market has changed in five years. In one year it’s changed. You see it in life, you see it in the real world. Let’s take away baseball. The price of eggs is how much? It’s just life. Things change, a lot of things change. Ultimately, the markets change, right?”
Adam Jones Defends Manny Machado Decision To Opt Out
Jones, who amassed more than $100M in salary during his career came to Machado’s defense.
When it comes to Machado opting out, Jones, who had over 160 hits seven times and was once a veteran teammate of a younger (and brasher) Machado, Tweeted:
“As he should. He’s EARNED THE RIGHT. What don’t most get about this. It’s a business. And players have the same right as the owners to make the best BUSINESS DECISION FOR THEMSELVES.”
As he should. He’s EARNED THE RIGHT. What don’t most get about this. It’s a business. And players have the same right as the owners to make the best BUSINESS DECISION for themselves. Like what’s so hard to believe. Get some more years added. Why not. https://t.co/jmjRf0lseE
Jones championing for Machado’s right to free enterprise started a conversation with many showing support for Machado’s decision for the same reasons Jones mentioned.
Not all athletes. But Manny for sure. I mean did u hear what Dustin Johnson said about signing with Liv? Pay more work less. Who wouldn’t signed up for that lol. Exclude the politics in a response hahahaha
Exactly. That’s why they put opt outs. Stanton had one or two in his deal. Ain’t opt out. Arenado had an opt out but didn’t. Had he did NO ONE WOULDVE SAID ANYTHING. But they will always talk when it comes to Manny. And I think he loves it
Jones was also referring to Machado’s love-hate relationship with the media and his early reputation as a cocky but incredibly talented and charismatic “villain of the game.” Machado was 19 when he crashed into MLB and brought all of his competitive spice and youthful exuberance with him. Now 30, he’s still trying to shake the reputation he’s developed among some fans and media in his early days.
As one Tweeter mentioned, “Manny is a superstar and his 10 for 300M deal that he signed five seasons ago, looks like a steal currently with the way the market is paying for MVP caliber superstars so why not, opt out and test it? I don’t get the hate. Me as a Orioles fan I’m more butt hurt my owner didn’t shell out the cash to keep “my guys.”
It’s Just Business: Fans Don’t Want To Hear That
The business of the move is totally understandable, however, that’s not going to make Padres fans feel any less scorned. Machado is only 29 and he’s already an 11-year veteran. He will break the 300-homer mark in the first half of the season, barring a super slow start. He currently sits at 283 and despite the loss of MLBBro slugger Josh Bell and rising star CJ Abrams, there are huge expectations in San Diego, especially with the first Spring Training for Juan Soto and return of Fernando Tatis.
Some fans understand the market, math and motive, but still question why Machado, who already secured a $300M contract in San Diego has to test the market instead of staying loyal to the fan base and continuing to strive for the first World Series title in franchise history. Build his lasting legacy in San Diego. Make that franchise’s hat and jersey the one he wears in Cooperstown, rather than Baltimore, where he spent the first 6.5 years of his career.
I understand looking out for yourself but how much money does 1 person need? When is enough gonna ever be enough? The most $ a person makes in my family is 80,000 a year and she lives comfortably. You can't tell me "Oh, inflation ". If you play in MLB, you make enough to survive
Like it or love it, Jones is a staunch advocate for player’s rights, especially the young Bros coming up the financial ladder. In case anyone was confused, Machado is exercising his, which is very important in a capitalistic business where the owners make 100 times more than the highest-paid player. Reassessing your market value is always a smart play and keeps you from becoming a pawn in the machine. The stars have to strike when the iron is hot. They not only have an obligation to their families, but to the market and how the players who drive the game, connect with the fans, create the interest and perform the feats, are valued in the overall business structure.
There are few teams in baseball who have been hotter than the Baltimore Orioles since the All-Star break. Led by MLBbro Cedric “CM Storm” Mullins, heading into Tuesday night, Baltimore is 12-6 since the break and only a half game back in the AL Wild card despite trading Trey Mancini and All-Star closer Jorge Lopez.
Baltimore is currently locked in a three-game set with another Wild Card hopeful, the Toronto Blue Jays, and our MLBbro Mullins made sure his squad got off on the right foot to kick off this series.
On Tuesday, Mullins went 2-for-4 with a double and one run scored in his return to the leadoff spot after spending some time batting eight. Following his 30/30 season, Mullins continues to hit fastballs and get on base. Coming into Wednesday night, Mullins was batting .299 against fastballs and hit five of his nine homers against the pitch.
Now the Os haven’t sniffed the playoffs since their 2016 Wild Card game appearance, but for one of the most historic franchises in MLB history, this return to relevance is much needed.
Much like Mullins with this current bunch of Orioles, whenever the playoffs are within reach in Baltimore there’s an MLBbro doing some of the heavy lifting.
Let’s take a look at some notable bros who have led Baltimore to the playoffs.
Frank Robinson
Any list involving the Orioles would be invalid without the inclusion of this legend. Mr. Robinson was one of two men in the history of this franchise to play, coach and manage. His versatility as a person could only be matched at the plate, where Frank won two MVPs and a Triple Crown for Baltimore. 1966 was one hell of a year for Frank and the O’s, as he took home the regular season MVP, The Triple Crown AND the World Series MVP Trophy.
Eddie Murray
One of the greatest first baseman in MLB history, “Steady Eddie” is one of seven players with 3,000 hits and 500 homers. Murray was an All-Star seven times in 12 seasons for Baltimore, a run that included five top-5 MVP finishes and a World Series Trophy in 1983. Eddie’s 1983 season saw him hit .306 with 33 homers and 111 RBI in the regular season, arguably the best year of his career.
Adam Jones
A member of the last Baltimore squad to have an opportunity to make the playoffs in 2016, Adam Jones was quietly one of the best Orioles of all time. A five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner in his 11 years with the squad, Adam ranks top five all-time in hits, runs, RBI, home runs, total bases and extra base hits.
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