Jones reacts to winning his first Gold Glove
Adam Jones said he was shocked and surprised but honored as well to win his first-ever American League Gold Glove.
"The Gold Glove is hard to get into because so many guys win it consecutively. Ichiro and Torii do it every year and it's deserved. To get into that fraternity is an honor in itself," the 24-year-old Jones said.
"It did (surprise me). I was just sitting here relaxed and got a call from our general manager. I was like 'wow.' I always thought I had a chance if I played a full season. This was kind of a shock to me but shows I left a lasting impression in the minds of the coaches when it was time to vote.
"Everyone wants to win a Gold Glove if you like defense. I did have a vision I could win it. To do it early in my career, it's just an honor, especially with so many deserving guys in the American League."
Jones is the first Oriole to be so honored since Mike Mussina in 1999 and is only the second O's outfielder to win a Gold Glove. Paul Blair won the last of his eight defensive awards in 1975.
"That's shocking. (The 34 years since Blair's honor). I knew Brady Anderson was a pretty good center fielder. I always felt Markakis deserves one, getting to play with him every day and seeing how truly good he is. It's crazy it's been since 1975. I'm honored."
Now that Jones has broken through with a national award, maybe more of the O's young players can get recognized down the road.
"I think so, this can put Baltimore back on the map. It's been a hidden city the last decade, over shadowed by the Yankees and Red Sox. We are young and raw, but have a very good team."
Jones played in 118 games this year and had a fielding percentage of .986 to go with nine assists and five errors.
It's been quite a year for Jones after making his first All-Star team in July. Which honor was higher on his list?
"This and the all-star game you can't slight any of them. I was talking to T-bone (Shelby) earlier and this is an award for both of us, he put in the hours. He was teaching me the mental side of it. Everyone out there has physical tools. I give praise and thanks to him."
Jones ended the season on the disabled list with a sprained left ankle, but says he's healed from that now.
"I can do the James Brown, so everything feels good."
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Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
Steve, I asked Adam if I could listen in on the interview and I was just in total awe of my baby! Ya'll take care of him, ya hear? See you in Sarasota!
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He handled himself well, today, Andrea. No suprise there. Congrats to you, Adam and all your family on this award! - Steve
My congratulations to Adam Jones. He is a great outfielder, and I can't wait for his batting stats to get even better next year. He seems to have put in alot of practice during the winter last year and it paid off. Once again, way to go Jones!
I love me some Jones but honestly he isnt a Gold Glove quality centerfielder.
Frankly after Pie got it going I think he does a better job in center than Jones.
What a class act for such a young kid.....
I've made the point - as have many others - that Jones wasn't really deserving of the GG (http://camdencrazies.com/2009/11/07/breaking-news-adam-jones-wins-gold-glove), but neither was Torii Hunter. Still happy for him.
I'm just going to ask (because you've been cool to me in the past) if there's any particular reason why MASN is loath to link to me despite having ones up for a bunch of other O's sites. It's just very curious to me, and I would greatly appreciate an answer. Thanks Steven.
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I don't know what you mean "link to me" Are you saying I have used your aritcles before in my blog, because I have not. I don't even go to that site but I'll check it out more now, I'm sure it's some good reading and info. - Steve
A Big congrats to Adam Jones for snagging the gold glove and putting the Orioles back out there. now lets go out there and win some more games and show this division we are for real.
Grant,
Since I didn't see every outfielder in the AL play, I don't know if Jones deserved the Gold Glove or not. However, stats, particularly defensive stats, don't tell the whole story.
Baldy
Hey Steve,
I didn't mean to accuse you of anything (or anyone else). On the Orioles section at MASN they have several other Orioles blogs. I have previously talked to Kate Wheeler (on your recommendation) about that, and she said she'd look into it. Haven't heard back. I'm really sorry for doing this through the comments section, but I have no other way that I know of to contact you or someone else there. I'm OK with a 'no', but a reason would be nice. Again, sorry if I came off blaming you for anything and for the public question. It's not even that big of a deal, I'm just very curious about it. Thanks.
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No problem, Daniel. I hope you get some answers, but I also hope you know I don't deal with that part of our site. Sorry I can't be of more help. - Steve
Oh, and if you happen to check out the site that would be great. Comments always welcome.
Adam Jones winning the Gold Glove is fantastic and is one more reason what Andy is doing will bring the Orioles back to there winning ways. Hopefully Adam winning the Gold Glove will be the first of many awards the Orioles will claim in the near future.
Technically, jones may not have deserved the gold glove, but when he made so many highlight reel catches over the wall and everywhere else, I think he earned it. I can still picture several of his catches from last season in my head.
Now the O's have two gold glove-caliber outfielders...
Steve:
Congrats to Jonesy. BUT, CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHY NICK DIDN'T GET THE GG???? He's been overlooked for the last few years. Do the people who select these awards ever look at stats? Or, do they look at how many times players over throw the cutoff man? Or, is it based on spectaular catches? As for the infield. Does the lack of range some of the come into play, or is because he's in New York? Jeter, while a fantastic ballplayer, can't get to the balls others do.
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Who knows what criteria the voters used. Maybe some of what stated, many little of it. I think Nick's day is coming. Everyone around the league must know his talent by now. Also it seems that center fielders win the outfield award more than corner OF's. I do know Ichiro is a RF. I just think Nick's time is coming to win one or more GG's. - Steve