By Alex Woodward
Back on Valentine's Day I wrote a light-hearted blog: 3 Orioles I'm Crushing On This Valentine's Day. Trey Mancini was #1 on that list and at this point it's no longer a crush...he is now by far my favorite Oriole.
I believe he is one of the few pieces on this roster that will be here when the rebuild is complete, I believe he will lead this team in homeruns this season and I also believe he is a great human being. I don't know Trey personally but I can't name one thing I don't like about him, observing from the outside.
He has a great approach to the plate and always has. He doesn't seem like the moment gets too big for him and he will always put a positive spin on something. He has also become the defacto leader of this young ballclub.
He's only in his 3rd major league season but when you hear him speak he sounds like a seasoned veteran. With the void in leadership left behind with Adam Jones' departure to Arizona, Trey has stepped up to the task. He ended up using the former locker of Adam Jones in Sarasota this Spring Training and he did the same with the locker at Oriole Park. I don't think that's any coincidence that he ended up with those lockers. Brandon Hyde and Mike Elias seem to be good judges of character and leadership and I'm sure they see what I see in Trey.
Trey told reporters earlier this week that he took notes on veteran leaders like Adam Jones over the past few years of how they carry themselves on and off the field. It seems as though he holds Adam Jones to the high standard that most Oriole fans did and he wants to live up to that but at the same time he knows he can't do it the same way.
"Words can't really describe what he meant to this city and this organization and all the fans around here. So I'm certainly no Adam Jones and I'm not trying to be but I'm definitely trying to do my best to be a leader on the team and be somebody the community can look up to as well." - Trey Mancini
So far he's doing his part on the field by going 3-4 yesterday with 2 infield singles and an rbi double. He's also trying to live up to his word and make an impact off the field and I think that's truly what makes him so likeable. Nothing he does or says seems forced. It seems genuine and it has been that way since I first heard from him when Scott & Jeremy interviewed him at their annual broadcast with the Bowie Baysox.
Trey just seems to get it. What is "it"? To me, it's life and keeping things in perspective. If you've ever listened to the Scott & Jeremy Show on 1057 The Fan you are familiar with Oriole super fan Mo Gaba. Mo has had multiple battles with cancer and his spirit has never broken when most people would feel downtrodden. Trey has been a fan of Mo since first hearing about him.
He has been seen wearing the #Mostrong bracelets on the field and he hasn't been a stranger in supporting Mo over the years:
#MoStrong: @TreyMancini talks about wearing a shirt for @Orioles superfan Mo Gaba, who Trey calls "so inspirational." #PlayersWeekend pic.twitter.com/Ymf5ceqh6y
— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) August 25, 2018Trey still keeps Mo on his mind and he took the time to talk about what an inspiration Mo is to him today on an appearance on MLB Network with Mark DeRosa.
Trey talks about being a leader for the birds, his approach at the plate and Mo in that interview. To jump to his comments about Mo, click to the 6:38 mark of the video. Here is the best parts from his comments about our favorite kid from Glen Burnie.
"First thing I'm planning on doing going back to Baltimore is going to see him. I was fortunate enough to hang out with him last year during the All Star Break. I hung out with him and his mom all day and it was just one of the best days I've ever had honestly. It put some things in perspective. If somebody can stay that positive than you know your problems in life aren't too tough so he's the man and I'm really excited to see him."
Some things are bigger than baseball and Trey understands that. He is becoming the leader and fan favorite of the Orioles right before our eyes and if you don't feel something after listening to him talk about Mo, someone should check your pulse. Trey Mancini is my favorite Oriole and I'm looking forward to seeing him grow more and more into the leader he is meant to be. Go Orioles and always remember to stay #Mostrong.
