Adam Jones on another opener, Jonathan Schoop on his spring

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

March 28, 2018, 3:56pm

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When Adam Jones runs out to center field for today's opening day game, he will tie Brady Anderson for the seventh-most opening day starts in club history.

Brooks Robinson and Cal Ripken Jr. made 20 such starts as an Oriole and Mark Belanger is next with 13. Then come Paul Blair, Eddie Murray and Boog Powell with 12 each. Only those six players have started more on opening day than Jones and Anderson, the club's vice president of baseball operations.

"This is my 11th opening day," Jones said in the O's clubhouse Wednesday. "None are more important or humbling or amazing than the first one. But 11 opening days, that's pretty cool. Especially with one team. I think the boys are ready to go. It's go time.

"I didn't think I'd have this many. Main thought is don't trip (on the orange carpet). It's special. Every one has been special. Just going to take it all in stride and really, really enjoy it."

Adam Jones runs gray.png Jones has good numbers on opening day, batting .359 (14-for-39) with six doubles, a triple, one homer, seven runs and seven RBIs. He had a double last year when the Orioles beat Toronto 3-2 in 11 innings.

As always, Jones is confident in his team and likes what he's seen happen over the last several weeks.

"We needed three starters and we got three starters," he said. "I am extremely happy that they went out and gave three- and four-year deals to pitchers. It shows the trust in the guys they gave the deals to. I'm excited to play behind them this year.

"I think it is better than when we started spring training. We added some very good veterans who have been in this division. I will put my team up against anybody. It's put up or shut up time (today)."

Jones has been around long enough to know how special opening day is in Baltimore. He has a special connection with the city through his many charitable efforts. That connection will be renewed for him today.

"Of course it is. It is like planting a seed," he said. "You plant a seed and you have to watch it grow. I've done that in the city. Now you watch the flowers I planted grow. That is beyond baseball and the on-field stuff.

"I think everyone will have some butterflies. It is exciting for the guys with their first opening day and some that are new to our ovations. Nestor (Cortes Jr.), Pedro (Araujo), Chance Sisco. A lot of excitement for the young guys. Everybody has a lot of different and cool things going on for their first opening day."

Schoop may not sleep much: O's second baseman Jonathan Schoop followed up his big 2017 season with a big spring training this year. He hit seven homers in 56 at-bats. If he homered at that pace over 622 at-bats, the amount he got last year, he'd hit 78 homers. He had a spring OPS of 1.081.

"Yeah, spring is about getting yourself going and working on what you need to be ready," Schoop said. "I felt good and hopefully it carries over to the season."

Schoop's improvement in 2017 was mainly the result of a young player that improved his plate discipline and pitch recognition. Schoop calls it "selecting pitches."

"Try to swing at better pitches and try to do more damage this year," he said after a season where he hit .293/.338/.503 with 35 doubles, 32 homers, 105 RBI and an OPS of .841.

Yesterday, Schoop was asked about turning the double play with Manny Machado at shortstop after he has played a lot previously with J.J. Hardy. Is it any different now with Manny?

"That's a good question," he said. "J.J. is our mentor. J.J. taught me and Manny everything we know. Me and Manny, we played with each other since the minors. It's going to be fun. I'm going to miss J.J. But me and Manny will be fun to watch too."

So now opening day is finally here. Hopefully Schoop will be not be sleepy at first pitch.

"It never gets old," he said. "They always say, 'Watch out, don't fall on the orange carpet.' It's going to be fun. I'm nervous right now and I can't wait. I won't sleep until first pitch (today)."

Lower prices: The Orioles have lowered the average price of several popular retail items at Camden Yards for the 2018 season, and added a new range of concessions sizing and pricing options. Click here for more.