ST. LOUIS — As if he needed any more reminders, a quick glance at his cell phone told Adam Jones that he’d done well at the All-Star game.
“I’ve got 40 text messages,” the Baltimore outfielder said Tuesday night.
After Curtis Granderson hit a one-out triple in the eighth inning, Padres reliever Heath Bell intentionally walked Victor Martinez. Jones delivered a tiebreaking sacrifice fly that sent the American League to a 4-3 victory.
“I’m still speechless about the entire process,” Jones said.
Drafted by Seattle as an infielder and pitcher, Jones made his mark in the minors as an outfielder. He was the main player Baltimore wanted when it traded pitcher Erik Bedard to the Mariners before the 2008 season.
Full of raw talent, the 23-year-old Jones has been honing his all-around skills. He’s hitting .303 with 12 home runs and 47 RBI.
The Orioles’ only All-Star representative replaced Boston outfielder Jason Bay in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jones flied out against career saves leader Trevor Hoffman in the sixth, then came through in the eighth with runners at the corners and one out.
“I just got up there trying to put wood on the ball, didn’t care what the pitch was. If it was close, I was going to put wood on it,” he said. “I’m a hard guy to double up. If I put the ball in play, we got a good chance of getting a run in.”
Trading places
Roy Halladay could’ve talked about starting the All-Star game. Or about possibly getting to meet President Barack Obama.
Instead, once again, the Toronto Blue Jays ace was inundated with questions about a potential trade.
“It’s definitely different. I can’t say I anticipated it working out this way,” Halladay said Tuesday, a few hours before the first pitch.
Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi recently said he would listen to trade offers for the 2003 AL Cy Young Award winner. Halladay is signed through 2010 and would have to agree to a deal.
The deadline for making trades without waivers is July 31.
“It’s the perfect storm, I guess,” he said.
The 32-year-old righty is 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA. This was his sixth All-Star game — and first chance to start. He struggled, giving up three runs and four hits in two innings as the AL won 4-3.
Halladay said he hasn’t starting taking inventory on where he’d like to play, if the Blue Jays do decide to deal him. Saying he was fortunate to be in good financial shape, he put one factor at the top of his wish list: a chance to win the World Series.
“I know what I’m looking for,” he said.
Halladay got a big ovation from the crowd lining the red-carpet parade route to Busch Stadium. Many fans chanted “We want Roy!” as he sat on the back of a vehicle and waved.
If there is no deal, Halladay said that would be fine.
“I do like Toronto. I’ve been there forever. I know everybody. I know the guys working the elevator,” he said.
Associated Press
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
