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Jones settles into his swing, brings big at bats to O's
I had a long chat with O's centerfielder Adam Jones in the Metrodome's visiting clubhouse yesterday. For the record, it is a 'clubhouse' in baseball---not a 'locker room'. I cringe when I see people in the media fail to make the distinction. It's sports journalism 101. Sorry---just a pet peeve.
Back to the point---Adam Jones. He's matured dramatically as a hitter since April and a perfect example of his development is his game-winning, 3-RBI double on Monday against the Red Sox. Jones told me it was his best at bat of the year, and then he broke down the whole scenario for me.
First, he said he approached the plate with the mentality that Boston reliever Hideki Okajima was in trouble---not him. When the bases are loaded, that's how a veteran interprets the situation. They use it as a mental advantage. Young players get nervous with runners in scoring position because they put too much pressure on themselves to deliver.
Jones said when he first came to Baltimore, he tried to impress too much; maybe because he was the centerpiece of a trade for Erik Bedard. He knew the Orioles executives had a high opinion of his talent or else they wouldn't have given up their no. 1 starter for him. Instead of settling in and playing relaxed, he tried to live up to expectations by swinging for the fences at every at bat.
Now, Jones has learned the art of patience. Monday, he said he laid off a changeup down-and-away and a fastball-in before taking the next pitch over Jacoby Ellsbury's head in left field for a double. Jones said he would have chased those pitches two months ago.
Also, at the suggestion of Hitting Coach Terry Crowley, Jones took a deep breath before stepping into the batter's box. He said that slowed everything down for him. Jones has quickly earned the reputation for being extremely coachable and his willingness to learn is obvious, as he's developing into a true big league hitter.
By the way--Jones kept it going last night by going 2-for-4 with 2 RBI against the Twins. These days, he's just having good at bats with runners in scoring position.
Your comment re the distinction between "locker room" and "clubhouse" sounds like it could be the basis for a new MASN Fantasy Camp commercial. Just a thought....
Thanks Amber...I actually didn't know that myself about it being called a clubhouse and not a locker room. I actually want to go into sports journalism if and when I get out of the Army...so I'll make sure I don't make that mistake! And how about baseball has "managers" not "head coaches"? I've heard that one too.
You're right about Adam Jones. As I replied in your last blog, I feel that reasons like this are why we are better than before, and our improvement as a team is not as far away as some may think. I just hate that nasty "R" word that we've been using..."rebuilding". However real that may be, I just think that to say it is just a way of coming to realize that we're not going to go very far this year. And fans like me aren't ready to admit that just yet.
In the beginning of the season, Adam didn't hit very well at all. Now he's batting .256 is fourth among the starters. My wife and I jumped out of our seats when he hit that 3-RBI double at the Sox game. That patience is definitely there. Hopefully this does continue, especially when we are in tougher situations and more pressure is on him to deliver.