Orioles get great return from bringing in ex-players as guest instructors

SARASOTA, Fla. – The nine Orioles guest instructors are gone, or at least the official ones. Cal Ripken Jr. has been working with some infielders while also visiting camp as part of the new ownership group.

Former starter Scott McGregor, on the mound for the final out of the 1983 World Series, got the ball rolling, so to speak, with his arrival on Feb. 12. Pitcher Ben McDonald, closer Zack Britton, second baseman Brian Roberts, shortstop J.J. Hardy, center fielders Adam Jones, Al Bumbry and John “T-Bone” Shelby, and right fielder Nick Markakis followed and played to their strengths.

Jones, hired in January as special advisor to the general manager and community ambassador, was in camp when he found out that he’d be inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame in August.

"It's awesome, it's well deserved," Markakis said. "I played next to Jonesy for a long time and what brings to the game and what he can bring to a clubhouse and an organization is special. ... It's kind of a no-brainer to have him in there."

Manager Brandon Hyde gathered his players in the clubhouse and recited some of the instructors’ resumes. The stats that jump off the page, awards and accolades, and for a few, World Series rings. Shelby and Markakis addressed the team a few days ago.

“They both were talking about how proud they were when they were an Oriole and how they still think of themselves as Baltimore Orioles,” Hyde said. “I think just having these ex-players - Shelby played in the 80s to Nick not that long ago – it’s great for our guys to hear and be around. I’m so appreciative of those guys coming and talking to our players and just wanting to be here. That says a lot about the kind of organization that we are and we continue to want to be.

“J.J. Hardy was super excited to be here, B-Rob’s always excited to be here, Ben was excited. These type of guys, players can feel how important this team is to them. They’ve all been absolutely wonderful.”

They’ve also been quite helpful.

This isn’t just about making appearances and shaking hands. This isn’t just about lending a name. There’s actual instruction, hours spent on the stadium and back fields.

Roberts observed Jackson Holliday at second base and made suggestions to improve footwork and feeds. He also lent his baserunning expertise to the team. Hardy, a three-time Gold Glove winner, also stayed busy with the middle infielders. They probably offered the most in-depth coaching.

“Both of those guys could be really good coaches if they wanted to, and they’re not that far removed from playing,” Hyde said. “They’re also familiar with our players. Both of those guys are really, really good teachers, and B-Rob’s the son of a coach and J.J. could do whatever he wants to do.

“I thought those guys made a huge impact.”

The Orioles had a nice mix of pitchers, infielders and outfielders. Markakis was the seventh-overall pick in the 2003 draft and spent nine seasons with the Orioles, winning two of his three Gold Gloves while mastering right field at Camden Yards. He spent much of his time down here getting acclimated to the players and offering advice in his usual quiet manner.

"They're kind of giving me pretty much whatever I want to do," said Markakis, who finished his 15-year career with 2,388 hits.

"A lot of unfamiliar faces here, just being out a little bit now and their rebuild. Overall, the organization's been great. It's everything you want to see and you can't really ask for much more than they're doing here."

Markakis is the right guy to put in front of young outfielders like Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad.

"They're all good, man. All the guys here are awesome," he said.

"I talked with B-Rob and he was telling me how good the guys are. He didn’t lie. These guys are here to work, they know what they’re capable of doing, and it makes it easier for the coaches to be able to coach a group of guys like this. Uncoachable guys are hard to coach, but these guys listen and pay attention and make it easier for the coaching staff, and that's really all you can ask for."

Hyde didn’t want to single out an ex-player when I asked which one he’d like to have in camp for the first time, but he volunteered an answer:

Mike Mussina.

“I’ve tried to get Mike,” he said.

“Cal being around here a lot this year, that’s been incredibly impactful. Cal talking with Gunnar (Henderson) and talking with our infielders and just talking the game – certain situations and all those things. That’s been incredible. And I think Moose would kind of bring that same to our pitching staff, with just how intelligent of a person he is, but also the art of pitching. Anything these guys can get from him would be awesome.”