SARASOTA, Fla. -- Adam Jones was one of the stars of the World Baseball Classic, though the Orioles outfielder said Saturday he doesn't feel like he's any different after winning a gold medal with Team USA.
"I see myself as the same player, same person, same teammate," Jones said. "I'm going to push the guy behind me and the guy in front of me to do the job, if I didn't get it done. I'm going to be on the top step cheering you on. That's how I always played the game.
"I think it was just the world seeing me in a different light, different players seeing me in a different light. I didn't do anything that I don't do in our clubhouse here. I just try to lead by example. I probably was a little more vocal during the WBC, just because I'm ramped up. It's a different pride factor at this point. But I just do the same thing I do in this clubhouse. Now I think the world has gotten to see how the Orioles have been successful the last five years. It's not just me, obviously, but the leadership, the way you play the game, you can't quantify that in any equations."
Jones and Team USA won the Classic for the first time, after never previously even reaching the final. Jones' home-run-robbing catch of Orioles teammate Manny Machado -- who was playing for the Dominican Republic -- in the Classic was one of the standout moments of the tournament, with a photo of the grab going viral. The feat is still impressive to Jones himself.
"I look at what's the most important part about it is what's across my chest. It's something that's not just representing a team of the Orioles, it's representing the nation that's bigger than myself, bigger than MLB in my eyes," Jones said. "I put on that uniform every day while I was there for the respect of the men and women that fight for my freedom -- my dad, my brother, my friends, my cousins, people that have fought in the military. I'm sure you guys have family members who have fought in the military. That was bigger than myself. That picture there will show that I'm trying to do something that's bigger than life, bigger than me."
While fellow Classic participants Machado, Jonathan Schoop and Welington Castillo returned to the lineup on Saturday, Jones wasn't sure when he'd be back in game action. It could be just once or not until Opening Day, as manager Buck Showalter mentioned the club will take it slow with Jones, giving him a little time to recoup.