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Rob Long: Orioles Becoming Automatic

It's funny how local fans complain about the defensive efforts of players like Adam Jones and Nick Markakis, yet both have been recognized as the very best at what they do on multiple occasions by opposing managers. Jones, Markakis and J.J. Hardy won the Rawlings Gold Glove for their respective defensive positions in the American League. It's the second time Markakis has been honored (2011, 2014), the third for Hardy (2012-14) while Jones wrapped up his fourth Gold Glove (2009, 2012-14).

Listeners of sports talk radio often criticized Markakis for his lack of range. Jones gets criticized for things that range from blowing bubbles while tracking fly balls to, well, you name it. Managers around the league have spoken and it seems they see the same thing I've seen while watching Nick Markakis play the right field. He never misses a cut off throw, he plays the corners in his ballpark like he designed it himself and YOU DO NOT RUN ON NICK MARKAKIS.

As far as Jones and Hardy are concerned, they are becoming automatic selections at shortstop and center field. It's almost as if it's their award to lose going into the season. Jones plays a stellar center while Hardy's positioning on each batter is nearly impeccable. The combination of the two along with Matt Wieters, gives the O's one of the best defenses in the game up the middle.

Baseball is getting back to where it was pre-steriods and defense is more important now than ever. The O's and the Royals were in the American League Championship Series and they both had three Gold Glove winners each. That's not just a coincidence. We all know the Orioles can hit the long ball but when you add Wieters and Manny Machado to this defense, you have arguably the best defense in the American League.
 


 

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