Outfielder Adam Jones remains one of the most impactful players not only in Baltimore Orioles history but also in baseball as a whole. His career is remembered for both his contributions on the international stage and his defining role in Baltimore’s resurgence during the 2010s.

Jones first represented Team USA in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, appearing in all six games. While the United States was eliminated in the second round, Jones’s presence helped set the stage for what would become his signature moment in international play four years later. The 2017 World Baseball Classic proved to be the highlight of his international career, as Jones played a pivotal role in leading Team USA to its first championship.

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He hit a game-tying home run against Venezuela in the opening round, delivered a walk-off single to beat Colombia and made one of the most iconic plays in WBC history by robbing Manny Machado of a home run in the second round against the Dominican Republic. That catch helped propel the U.S. to the semifinals and ultimately to a championship victory over Puerto Rico. His performance cemented his reputation as a clutch player on the world stage.

This week, Team USA’s current roster received another boost when left-hander Tarik Skubal, widely regarded as the best pitcher in baseball and a back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner, announced he was joining the roster.

“Yoooooooooooooo this is HUUUUUGE. REIGNING CY YOUNG 🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎,” Jones wrote on X, still offering support to his country’s international baseball squad. The addition of Skubal underscores how Jones’s legacy of elevating Team USA continues to resonate as new stars embrace the opportunity to represent their country.

Jones’s legacy extends far beyond international play. He spent 11 seasons with the Orioles from 2008 to 2018, becoming the face of the franchise during its return to relevance. Acquired in a major trade from the Seattle Mariners in 2008, Jones quickly emerged as the centerpiece of Baltimore’s rebuild.

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Over his tenure, he earned five All-Star selections, four Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger Award, while consistently hitting for both power and average. He appeared in more than 1,600 games, posting a .277 batting average with 282 home runs and over 900 RBIs.

Jones’s leadership was instrumental during playoff runs in 2012, 2014 and 2016, including the 2014 AL East title. Beyond his production, he was deeply connected to the city and fans, widely regarded as the Orioles’ most important player since Cal Ripken Jr.