PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Tike Redman dresses at his locker and grabs a cup of coffee before heading to the field. His name missing again from the Orioles' starting lineup, he's content to enter the game as a substitute, either in left field or center. As long as he's playing, a smile will return to his face.
Redman loves baseball so much, he wants to share his experiences with anyone who will listen - even a young outfielder who could be inadvertently pushing him off the roster.
Adam Jones has become more than the centerpiece of the Orioles' rebuilding project. He's also Redman's nightly dinner companion, the two of them usually seated at a table at a Chili's restaurant that's within walking distance of the team hotel.
"That's convenient for us," Redman said. "We just go there and chitchat, hang around, watch a little SportsCenter, and a lot of times talk about baseball. We've become real good friends. He's cool."
Prentice Redman had a head start on his older brother. He played with Jones in the Seattle Mariners' system last season and told Tike to watch out for the kid once the Orioles acquired him in the Erik Bedard trade.
"He's been awesome," Jones said. "We go out to dinner and treat each other every other night. Sometimes it's my turn to pay, sometimes it's his turn to pay. I kind of pick his brain. I know he knows a lot more people and has been around this game a lot longer than I have. He likes calling me `boy' because I'm younger than him. But he's been first-class the whole time. Whether we play together this year or down the road, he's one of my friends."
Redman, 31, should find out soon whether he'll be Jones' teammate in Baltimore. Jay Gibbons' 15-day suspension to start the season opens an extra spot, but manager Dave Trembley might be more inclined to go with someone who can play the infield and outfield.
"I have no idea," Redman said. "I'm just playing whenever I get time and doing my best. I'm still swinging it well, playing every [outfield] position. I feel good about it, but you never know what they're thinking."
One year ago, Redman was trying to earn a spot with the Boston Red Sox, either on their major league roster or at Triple-A Pawtucket, but they released him before breaking camp. He signed with the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League and played seven games before the Orioles signed him to a minor league deal May 15.
