Oriole greats Jones, Markakis, Ripken provide invaluable instruction

SARASOTA—The Orioles had their most extensive group of guest coaches this spring, and they couldn’t have been happier with them.

Some had been with the team before, including famed pitchers Scott McGregor and Ben McDonald, and infielders J.J. Hardy and Brian Roberts. Adam Jones, who was a guest instructor last spring, is now a special adviser to executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias.

Others were here for the first time. Zack Britton, who converted all 47 of his save chances in 2016 and whose brother Buck is now a coach, and outfielders Al Bumbry, Nick Markakis and John “T-Bone” Shelby were the other official coaches.

There was also an exalted instructor, who’s also a partial owner of the team, Cal Ripken Jr.

Manager Brandon Hyde was thrilled with their presence, and he’d like to add to it. He mentioned Hall of Fame pitcher Mike Mussina, whom Hyde has tried unsuccessfully to recruit.

“I think Moose would bring the same to our pitching staff with just how an intelligent of a person he is, but also the art of pitching. Anything these guys could get from him would be awesome,” Hyde said.

Jackson Holliday has said how much he learned about middle infield play and baserunning from Hardy and Roberts, who provided perhaps the most hands-on instruction.

Others shared their experiences of playing on winning teams.

“What makes a team special is the camaraderie that the guys have in the clubhouse,” Markakis said. “As players and coaches we’re around each other a lot more than family. It can get aggravating at times. Guys’ camaraderie in the clubhouse and being able to play together on a daily basis as much as you are together is really half the battle.

“If you can put that aside and not have to worry about constant bickering between teammates, it makes it a lot easier. This team over here has no problems with that. From what I’ve seen, everybody’s great and they get along. The most important apart is they have fun doing it. It’s fun to see, and it’s going to be fun to watch them.”

Markakis played with Britton, Hardy and Jones on teams that qualified for the postseason in 2012 and 2014.

“We had a pretty special thing for the seven years I was here,” Hardy said. “For other people to recognize it, and bring people back, it’s awesome.”

Roberts, who finally played on a winning team in 2012 after 11 seasons of losing teams, was injured that year. He never got to play in a postseason game for the Orioles but still recognizes how special that time was and how important it is to pass on his experience from a winning team to today’s players.

“It was just a really, really good team all around and everybody enjoyed being with each other,” he said. “That was another big part of it. Everybody got along really well and had a good time, but when it was game time, everybody knew it was time to do your job.”

Hyde, who has been managing the Orioles since 2019, has seen how much the players have gotten from the mentoring. He noted how Markakis and Shelby talked to the team.

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

Hardy and Roberts remarked how eager Gunnar Henderson was to hear their tips even though he probably didn’t need to. Henderson had individualized coaching from a player whose career he’s emulated.

“Cal being around a lot this year has been incredibly impactful,” Hyde said. “Cal talking with Gunnar, talking with our infielders and just talking the game and certain situations. That’s been incredible.”

Even McGregor, who last played in 1988, has found being here helpful.

“They’ve done a great job of adapting here,” he says.” With me and J.J. and Britton and Markakis, that was never done before. They didn’t bring the old guys back in. They’re embracing us and bringing those things together. You get a good mix.”

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