Jones growing up, calming down

[O's are Legends]

Adam Jones is angry. Really angry. The Orioles' center fielder has swung at the ever-enticing offspeed pitch again, and grounded out to third base for the fourth time in his last seven at-bats. Today he can't take it any more. No matter that it's a Spring Training game and he's already played six innings. Jones is alone now, in the batting cages at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, hitting off the curveball machine.

He will get it right. It is an adjustment, he rationalizes, one he knows he can make. But not before he takes out his frustration, whipping the bat clear across the cage and shattering it into several pieces. It's a solitary -- but not entirely unfamiliar -- scene: Jones' antics have both irritated and energized the Orioles organization and its fan base since he arrived in 2008.

Jones is starting to understand that it's a work in progress. He admitted to pressing at the plate last season, getting off to a slow start while trying to rescue a squad that started 2-16 and never recovered. He watches pitchers now, he studies movements. He talks to Hunter, and listens to Showalter when he dispels simple, sound advice: "You have the ability. Now use it."

And for the first time in his career, Jones is realizing how precious that is.

I really hope Jones turns into a good baseball player.

By Brittany Ghiroli

[The Rick]

Brittany nails it again, what a great peice.

It definitely adds merit to those who saw an ego issue with Jones, but i'm not in the camp that that is a bad thing personally.

It's also pretty cool that he's been around Hunter in the off-seasons. Say what you want about Hunter from a personality standpoint, but the dude has been on a lot of winning teams and goes all out.

I still think Jones has the chance to be above average for several years, but he'll probably never be elite with his issues around plate discipline. Still, I'm glad he's on our team and hope he puts up a great season.

[RVAbird]

I really hope Jones turns into a good baseball player.

By Brittany Ghiroli

Jones already is a good baseball player.

I hope he turns into a great one.

[Frobby]

I really hope Jones turns into a good baseball player.

He's a good baseballl player now. But will he be better than he's been?

[sjoslyn]

I really appreciate her writing style. Her articles are so easy to read and don't become mundane or flat.

As for the content of the piece - glad to see Jonesy getting it and I look forward to the future with him in Black and Orange.

[LookinUp]

I'll add to the chorus of folks who appreciate the writer's style. Nice article. It showed that she understands the issues around Jones' personality. She gets it.

On Jones, quotes like this make me think that he's still not quite as grown up as I want him to be. He comes across as defensive, stubborn, immature and somewhat excusing that behavior as "who he is." I know that sounds harsh, but I don't believe that means he's a bad guy. To the contrary, I don't think that's the case.

"All I'm doing is trying to be myself," he said. "I admit there were some things I said, should have never tweeted certain things. I understand that. I mean, you take me for who I am. Do you want me to be some square, or do you want me to be myself?"

With that being said, I do appreciate that he's growing as a man, and it seems like he really wants to be a good person and a good player. I like that he's willing to admit his mistakes and work hard to get better on the field. I really hope it all pays off.

[Say O!]

Love hearing about the extra work Jones puts into becoming a better player.

It's never really been an *effort* thing with him though. If anything, he tries too hard and puts too much pressure on himself. And his quotes back this impression up. But instead what he needs is to be smarter in his approach...position himself better in OF, have more of a gameplan in his at-bats.

[statman]

This is the type of fire that you need in the clubhouse in order to be a successful baseball team. Jones will find his swing, as will Vlad...I am pleased to hear that Jones is putting in the effort to do so.

[weams]

By Brittany Ghiroli

"When I got closer, I realized it wasn't, so I introduce myself, and he goes, 'Oh, I know who you are,'" Jones said. "That's when it clicked in my head that he wants my job. This kid's 20. And I remember being 20 and wanting to take Jeremy Reed's job. So I know the hunger that everybody has. It just kind of put perspective on [things]. I've got to do my job up here so I can keep it. I understand what's going on. You've got to do your job for your team."

[El Gordo]

Wish Jones was as good a ballplayer as Britt is a writer. We have two really good ballplayers on this team who lead by example with their great play. BRob and Nick. They don't feel the need to mouth off in the press, and engage in public histrionics. If Jones wants to be a team leader, he should follow their example and walk the walk first.

[AgentOrange]

Wish Jones was as good a ballplayer as Britt is a writer. We have two really good ballplayers on this team who lead by example with their great play. BRob and Nick. They don't feel the need to mouth off in the press, and engage in public histrionics. If Jones wants to be a team leader, he should follow their example and walk the walk first.

This is total crap. Different people have different personalities. Jones is a more vocal type of person. He has swagger. What is wrong with that? The only time you should be worried about his "mouthing off in the press" is when his performance suffers because of it. If he is having struggles, it isn't from lack of effort.

[DrungoHazewood]

Wish Jones was as good a ballplayer as Britt is a writer.

I'm not sure Britt is in the top tiny fraction of 1% of all writers in the world. Jones is that as a ballplayer.

[El Gordo]

This is total crap. Different people have different personalities. Jones is a more vocal type of person. He has swagger. What is wrong with that? The only time you should be worried about his "mouthing off in the press" is when his performance suffers because of it. If he is having struggles, it isn't from lack of effort.

What performance? The guy has a great arm, positions himself poorly, gets poor jumps, has a limited range. Hit's for occasional power, decent BA, has poor pitch recognition and can't get on base. How about a little more humility. You'd think he thinks he's the second coming Willy Mays. He's tired of hearing about Buck? I'm tired of hearing about him.

[Frobby]

Wish Jones was as good a ballplayer as Britt is a writer.

So, is Britt one of the 750 best writers in the United States?

It's easy to pick at Jones's flaws. They're real. He's still a very good ballplayer who has the chance to get better. Or perhaps you'd like to go back to Luis Matos, or even CPat? Jones has a very good chance to be one of the top 5 CF's in Orioles history.

[DrungoHazewood]

What performance? The guy has a great arm, positions himself poorly, gets poor jumps, has a limited range. Hit's for occasional power, decent BA, has poor pitch recognition and can't get on base. How about a little more humility. You'd think he thinks he's the second coming Willy Mays. He's tired of hearing about Buck? I'm tired of hearing about him.

No different than many of us being tired of your unwavering, constant, harsh criticism of someone that doesn't fit your preconceived notions of what a pretty good ballplayer should act like.