Adam Jones named Most Valuable Oriole

Adam Jones today was named the 2012 Most Valuable Oriole, and I have to say it sounds like the mainstream media who vote on the award made the correct choice. Jones has played every single game this season and along the way set career highs in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, home runs, etc. His offensive numbers rank at top of the team in nearly every category, and he is the only player on the team slugging over .500.

His stats as of today: .288/.336/.510, 39 2B, 32 HR, 34 BB.

Jones also won the award last year (when I thought it should have gone to Matt Wieters), so he joins Frank Robinson, Boog Powell, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken, and Rafael Palmeiro has Orioles who have won the award in back-to-back years.

In addition to his stats, it's clear that Adam Jones has become the leader of this team. He's vocal both on and off the field and his is the face of the Baltimore Orioles. And I'm happy to know that he'll be the face of this team for years to come, thanks to the six-year contract extension he signed.

Congrats to Adam! Here's hoping that he leads this team to a playoff spot this afternoon.