Hello Spring Training! Baltimore Orioles Descend on Sarasota

It’s been just over 1 week since the Baltimore Ravens captured their 2nd Vince Lombardi trophy in a thrilling Super Bowl 47 and their Russell Street counterparts have begun their flights south to Florida for Spring Training & the start of the 2013 season. We’ve been postulating, speculating, & estimating all off-season what exactly 2013 might have in store for the Orioles, but now comes the time for pedal to hit the metal. It’s time for them to put their money where their mouths are, so to speak. In that vein, I perused Twitter for some “beginning of Spring Training” tweets from our favorite Orioles. Needless to say, it sounds like the guys are pumped to build on a magical 2012.

"Chris Davis ‏@ChrisDavisBtw the “O” during the national anthem was Omazing! Countin down the days til the 2013 season kicks off!Adam Jones ‏@SimplyAJ10I’ll see my @Orioles family tomorrow. Hard work will begin ASAP. We have something to prove to OURSELVES, forget the others#StayHungryL.J. Hoes ‏@MRLJHOES2UJust boarded this plane next stop Tampa #backtoworkSteve Johnson ‏@SJohnson8313 days.. #springtraining2013http://instagr.am/p/VhRUeiNMwN/ (it’s an O’s hat!)Jake Arrieta ‏@JArrieta34Met three huge O’s fans at Flemings.. Conversation was worth letting my food get coldBranden Kline ‏@BrandenKline16Back to Sarasota to get ready for my first spring training #OsNation"

I was hoping for a few more fun quotes, but I’ll give the guys the benefit of the doubt, most of the star players have just been arriving over the past couple of days, so they’re still getting settled into their digs in FL. From the looks of it, star centerfielder (and Ravens lucky charm?) Jones has already had a warm (literally) welcome to Florida.

"Adam Jones ‏@SimplyAJ10Yep just felt this fla humidity"

We’ve talked on the site before about what a cool camaraderie the O’s & Ravens have, they definitely have a mutual love for each others’ teams & the success of Baltimore sports. Even star WR Anquan Boldin got a tweet in last Friday, a bit of a passing of the sports season torch:

"Anquan Boldin ‏@AnquanBoldinHappy Championship #PurpleFriday Ravens fans. We’re done for now, but I know you guys are ready for some @Orioles Spring Training. #BUCKleUp"

As the northeast digs out from snowstorm Nemo (sidenote: Nemo? really?), and those of us out west in California try to avoid sending annoying “look how sunny it is!” pictures to our grumpy east coast comrades, I know we’re all excited to welcome baseball back. 2013 is a new year, primed for new memories, new stars, and a clean slate for every team. Hello baseball, it’s good to see you again.