Adam Jones and Ozzie Guillen exchange words
As the Orioles emptied out of the dugout and jogged to home plate to meet Nolan Reimold, whose two-run homer in the 10th inning off Jason Frasor had just given the home team a 6-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox, Adam Jones was in the back of the scrum barking at the visitor's dugout at Camden Yards.
It wasn't clear from my vantage point whom Jones was exchanging words with, but the Orioles center fielder later acknowledged that he was going back and forth with White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.
"Just me and Ozzie," Jones said when asked about what started the conversation. "Him and I go back to forth. It’s part of the competition."
I wouldn't think it was playful banter, not when the Orioles just ended the five-game winning streak of the White Sox, who are battling to stay in the American League Central race. However, with Guillen and Jones, you never really know.
Asked about the severity of the conversation, Jones said: "We’ll see in a couple of days. I’m protecting myself and protecting my team. He’s protecting himself and his team. It’s part of the game."
Not sure what Jones means with the "we'll see in a couple of days." The White Sox and Orioles end their season series tomorrow night.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Say what you will about this team as a whole but it seems clear to me that Jones really cares. I've seen some of his tweets after some of these tough losses, and now tonight with Guillen, and its clear he hasn't bought the envelopes to mail in the the rest of the season. Love the passion Jonesy!
Posted by: punkflamingo | August 11, 2011 1:46 AM
Maybe he meant after the series is over and the dust clears we'll see where we're at.
Posted by: socalbirdfan | August 11, 2011 7:18 AM
Jones is definitely one of the most passionate players in the game right now. I love his hustle. He's having a great season and I think he's finally fully dedicated himself to the game.
Posted by: mr chayis | August 11, 2011 9:47 AM
I love intensity, but a player on a miserable team running his mouth to another team's manager (and I do understand how Ozzie can be) isn't part of baseball....and we wonder why kids act the way they do on the field.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 11, 2011 9:57 AM
Jones has really moved forward this yr and now is arguably the best guy on the team. He's stepping up as team leader too and seems deserving of a LT contract after the season. On the other hand, what's up with Weiters and Markakis? I thought they were the future leaders. At this point I'd think seriously about trading both this offseason (but I doubt anyone wants overpaid Nick) to solve some of the other problems. Who would have ever guessed this team's big 3 would be Jones, Hardy and Reynolds.
Posted by: johnny c | August 11, 2011 10:01 AM
Jones will probably get one in the ear hole tonight. Better to keep his mouth shut and let his bat and glove do the talking.
Posted by: Gil | August 11, 2011 11:02 AM
Love Jones, lock'em up. He has a pulse ulike the last two guys the O's extended long term - Roberts, Markakis
Posted by: Cereal Blogger | August 11, 2011 11:19 AM
What makes anyone think that Jones wants any kind of contract with this forsaken outfit?
Posted by: bibbob | August 11, 2011 11:37 AM
I love Jones. This guy is a BALLPLAYER
Posted by: c rob | August 11, 2011 5:36 PM
Whoever says that Roberts and Markakis "don't care" are misguided, misled, and mis-erable human beings. Not every caring person (in any endeavor) is a rah-rah screamer type (See, Ripken, Cal, or, Murray, Eddie). This isn't "Hey Batter, hey Batter" Little League here. Sure, firey guys are fun to watch, and we grew fond of Earl Weaver's rants. But Brooksie, Eddie, Cal, and many other great Orioles were every bit as intense as Frankie R or Little Looie, or Rick Dempsey.
Posted by: Colorado Oriole | August 11, 2011 6:59 PM
Congratulations to all the admirers of Adam Jones, the perfect centerfielder for the worst team in the American League. You deserve what you get. The guy is a self-centered ballplayer more interested in drawing attention to himself than winning games. Exhibit A: Monday night's game, eighth inning, in which he caught A.J. Pierzynski's sac fly and decided to show off his arm and air-mailed a useless throw to home (which was late and 25 feet off-target) instead of throwing to second to hold Carlos Quentin at first. Quentin takes second and scores the game-winning run two pitches later on a two-out RBI single. Nice arm, Adam, and nice Baseball IQ too. We Sox fans thank you for the gift victory.
Posted by: Grateful Sox Fan | August 12, 2011 1:23 PM