SARASOTA, Fla. — There is a quote from Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby above the entrance at Ed Smith Stadium. In it, he answers a question he often received: What does a ballplayer do in the winter?

“I stare out the window and wait for spring,” Hornsby said.

Offseason training methods have changed in the century since Hornsby played, but the sentiment remains for every Orioles player who arrives in Sarasota for spring training. It’s at times a grueling existence, being a ballplayer — particularly for those in the minors. But, for each of them, spring means a new beginning.

Spring washes away a winter of wallowing over whatever nagged at them — and, for the Orioles, a poor season that ended without a playoff appearance nagged and nagged. There is added intrigue this year, as manager Craig Albernaz and first baseman Pete Alonso, among many others, will experience their first taste of Baltimore baseball.

Opening day is just around the corner (Thursday at Camden Yards against the Minnesota Twins). The hope that flourishes in spring will turn either to reality or a mirage.

There’s only one way to find out: Play Ball.

Baltimore Orioles first-baseman Pete Alonso poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.First baseman Pete Alonso. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Shortstop Gunnar Henderson. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Catcher Samuel Basallo. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles second-baseman Jackson Holliday poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Second baseman Jackson Holliday. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles second-baseman Aron Estrada poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Second baseman Aron Estrada. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles pitcher Rico Garcia poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Pitcher Rico Garcia. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles pitcher Hans Crouse poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Pitcher Hans Crouse. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles first baseman Jhonkensy Noel poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.First baseman Jhonkensy Noel. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Outfielder Heston Kjerstad. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles outfielder Tyler O’Neill poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Outfielder Tyler O’Neill. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles infielder Willy Vasquez poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Infielder Willy Vasquez. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Infielder Jordan Westburg. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)From left: Baltimore Orioles pitcher Levi Wells, pitcher Richard Guasch, and pitcher Jean Henriquez pose for portraits during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.From left, pitchers Levi Wells, Richard Guasch and Jean Henriquez. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles pitcher Félix Bautista poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Pitcher Félix Bautista. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles utility player Jeremiah Jackson poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Utility player Jeremiah Jackson. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.First baseman Ryan Mountcastle. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles pitcher Cameron Weston poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Pitcher Cameron Weston. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Outfielder Colton Cowser. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles infielder Coby Mayo poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Infielder Coby Mayo. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz poses for a portrait during the Baltimore Orioles media day on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.Manager Craig Albernaz. (Zack Wittman for The Banner)