The boys of summer
In the midst of a long hard winter, it’s nice to take a moment to reflect on one of the annual rites that give us hope the spring will soon be upon us. One such ritual is the beginning of Orioles spring training in Sarasota, Fla. Baltimore Sun photojournalist Karl Merton Ferron traveled south to capture images of the players as they stretch, run, throw and do drills as the team begins to take form.
- Orioles infielder Ivan De Jesus Jr. (right) and the team head onto the practice field during the first official day of workouts with the full squad. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Orioles manager Buck Showalter signs autographs for fans during a workout at the club’s spring training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Orioles left fielder Francisco Peguero (left) and catcher Johnny Monell limber up shoulder-to-shoulder in front of third baseman Manny Machado (background right, in black) during the first official day of workouts with the full squad. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Riley Crowl, 8, of Hampstead, peers over the fence to watch the Orioles participate in drills at the club’s spring training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Rehabilitating from a 2013 injury, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (left) smiles with first base coach Wayne Kirby in the outfield during workouts at the club’s spring training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Orioles pitching coach Dave Wallace watches pitchers throw during workouts at the club’s spring training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Orioles second baseman Jemile Weeks waits with an open glove for a baseball. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Orioles manager Buck Showalter stands on the observation deck during workouts at the club’s spring training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Equipment owned by Orioles outfielder Julio Borbon at the club’s spring training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Orioles pitchers are framed by fencing as they participate in fielding drills. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- A bat and glove rest against a chain link fence as the Orioles participate during workouts. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- An Orioles coach picks up baseballs for fielding drills during the first official day of workouts with the full squad. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Orioles players loosen up on the day that position players report at the club’s spring training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- The shoes of Orioles third baseman Manny Machado are pictured on the turf as he sprints following infield grounder workouts at the spring training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Eyes are on Orioles pitcher Josh Stinson, who throws during workouts. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Orioles pitcher Evan Meek wipes his brow as he participates in fielding drills during workouts. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Orioles pitchers Eddie Gamboa (80) and Brad Brach (35) toss up baseballs as they wait to participate in fielding drills. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Third baseman Alexi Casilla at the batting cage during workouts at the spring training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Christopher Langles of Sarasota, who once played lacrosse for the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays, gets sun as the Orioles participate in workouts. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- Orioles catcher Johnny Monell stops his vehicle at the front gate to autograph memorabilia after workouts at the Orioles’ spring training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron)
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