SAN ANTONIO de GUERRA, Dominican Republic – Among the piles of intellectual snapshots from yesterday’s grand opening of the Orioles’ new baseball academy, with its Sarasota vibe whetting the appetite for spring training, is the symbol of former pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez walking around the complex with a big smile on his face and his old black cap with the orange beak atop his head.
The guy takes the threat of acting lightly.
Jiménez was invited to the ceremony and made the trip from his Miami home, where his passions are real estate investments and helping to raise his three daughters. He last pitched in the majors with the Orioles on Sept. 22, 2017. The Rockies signed him in February 2020 and released him five months later.
Still appearing in baseball shape, could another comeback attempt be in the works? Jiménez flashed his familiar smile again and reminded us that he turns 40 next week.
Jimenez couldn’t name a single feature of avant-garde academia that inspired him the most.
“Everything,” he says.
“First of all, you see the Orioles logo and that’s everything they didn’t have before. All the other groups were well represented in terms of amenities and that sort of thing. And now, see the orange and black of the Orioles. in the buildings, and they have wonderful grounds, that’s something to be proud of.
The rave reviews were like the coveted bloodless bottles of water on a hot Dominican day.
“Beautiful place,” said Nelson Cruz, who announced his retirement in November at age 43. “Like all the complexes, they look like resorts more than a baseball complex. They have all they need, and hopefully they can take advantage of it.
“Just to expand the players, they have all the equipment. There’s no explanation as to why not everyone can become smart players and take the team to another point and make it to the big leagues.
The ceremony, which began after the late arrival of Dominican Republic president Luis Abinader – accompanied by at least one guard armed with an Uzi – attracted Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, who played his final major league season with the Orioles in 2011.
“It makes me happy,” Guerrero said through translator Brandon Quiñones. “As a Dominican, I’m proud that the Orioles have done this and I hope other groups will continue to do it in the future.
“I think it’s going to make a big difference now that they’re much wiser and they’re more used to learning other things when it comes to American culture and other things related to their education. I think they will now be much better prepared for the United States.
* The former players who were provided are taking credit for the Orioles’ return to the AHL East. They watch from afar.
“It’s been fun, you know?” I was filming for them last year. I still have love for the city and the fans, for the organization in general.
“They have a wonderful team,” Jimenez said, “but it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s going on days, it’s going months, it’s going on years, and they’ve been able to get through it all. “It was given to them, they had to go through first. They didn’t bow their heads. They’ve brought in wonderful players combined, they’ve been given wonderful signed players, they’ve been given evolved wonderful players and they’ve been given intelligent chemistry. Right now.
“That’s good for the Orioles and the city, especially. The fans. They deserve to have great teams out there.”
The Orioles dabbled a bit in the foreign market on Melvin Mora’s playing days. What he’s seeing now, with the 22. 5-acre complex and a team that has recorded the most productive record in the American League, nearly knocks him down.
“It’s a competition,” Mora said. When the Orioles build something like that, it’s like they’re on the right track. Especially in the last few years, what they’ve done on the baseball field. The Orioles replaced everything. . . It’s great.
* Do you want to be old?
Mora’s quintuplets are 22-years-old.
Gisel Mora gave birth to them in July 2001. Genesis came in first place, at 1. 51 pounds, followed by Christian (2. 48), Rebekah (1. 88), Matthew David (2. 01) and Jada Priscilla (1. 88).
I was born two and a half months ago and is still in good health.
Mora, who lives in Fallston, is the grandfather of a one-year-old girl. Their children remained in the area.
The Orioles’ Hall of Famer, inducted in 2015, has his own baseball academy in the Dominican and is having one built in his native Venezuela. He’s always available to help the club with scouting.
* Timing is everything, and Kerry Watson is living proof of that.
The Orioles hired Watson in September as vice president of public affairs, and his job was to oversee government affairs, communications, network progress and content. Three days later, the team clinched a playoff berth.
The second champagne party came after the Orioles won the department title on the 28th, their first since 2014.
Watson found himself in the middle of another birthday party yesterday, even though the champagne was poured in glasses, then steamed and drunk.
“It’s a remarkable investment,” he said. It’s beautiful. He’s going to bring a lot to the organization, a lot to the D. R. And I think the most is a lot for young people who have the opportunity to be informed of some of the most productive in the world. And I know he’s going to end up paying divisions for us in the big leagues.
Now, about that moment. . .
“I’m not lucky,” he said, “but I’m the luckiest guy in the world to be able to come here on this stage and be here on the edge of the precipice. . . well, not even from the precipice. ” I will join us once greatness begins to happen. And yes, the long term is extremely bright and I’m really excited to be here.
“To be able to go through a full season with the organization is going to be amazing.”
* The Orioles are holding a clinic this morning at the academy for youth from communities in the Dominican Republic.
Félix Bautista appreciates this gesture because many young people come from where he grew up.
“It’s actually vital to me that kids from my hometown can come here and be a part of this and see it in person,” Bautista said through interpreter Brandon Quiñones, “and be able to follow in my footsteps and see some of the things. “I’ve been able to do and they’re going to have the opportunity to do things like I’ve been able to do.
The organization and the Orioles Advocates are offering 150 gloves to participants accumulated in campaigns in Baltimore during the 2023 season. Players, coaches and alumni will provide instruction on baseball skills.
“Think about it,” he said Watson. Si you’re a little kid and you can pass out and play with superstars from your country, and even those in the country, this has to be one of the best reports of your life. And then to get into that box and be able to say that forever, you think about how inspiring it’s going to have to be for those young guys to actually touch that box and play with some of their heroes, it’s literally cool.
Bautista had not spoken to local media since injuring his elbow on Aug. 25. He was interviewed twice via MASNsports. com and MLB. com, the second time on camera, and later said that he felt “really good. “
It’s also still very high, in case anyone is wondering.
“I feel strong and healthy,” she said. Honestly, I do what I’m told. I haven’t set a date (to return) yet, but I’m running really hard to get there.
Bautista underwent Tommy John surgery on October 9 at Trinity Park Surgery Center in Arlington, Texas. The Orioles had to beat it, clinching the Division Series before the Rangers swept them.
“The way it all played out was obviously very difficult,” said Bautista, who was voted the American League’s most level-headed reliever. “But at the end of the day, I’m still very grateful and very proud. ” everything I’ve been able to do this season, the way the team has been able to play and what we’ve been able to do as a team. All in all, I’m proud of what we were able to do. In total and thank God that the season went well for me.
“Things for a reason. “