masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgIt must have seemed like a pretty quiet afternoon for LJ Hoes. He was watching television a little after noon when he got the phone call telling him to come to Baltimore to join the Orioles and play in the big leagues for the first time.

“I was sitting at home watching a movie, ‘Mr. Baseball,’ so they called and said we need you here by 2:15. So now I’m here,” the 22-year-old Hoes said. “They told me after the season to work out and stay in shape. Just want to help this team any way I…It must have seemed like a pretty quiet afternoon for LJ Hoes. He was watching television a little after noon when he got the phone call telling him to come to Baltimore to join the Orioles and play in the big leagues for the first time.

“I was sitting at home watching a movie, ‘Mr. Baseball,’ so they called and said we need you here by 2:15. So now I’m here,” the 22-year-old Hoes said. “They told me after the season to work out and stay in shape. Just want to help this team any way I can. I don’t know (what my role will be). Just ready to do whatever they ask me to do.

“It’s a great feeling. I dreamed of this day happening at some point, so I’m just glad to be here now and help any way I can.”

This season, between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, he batted .287 with 23 doubles, seven triples, five homers, 54 RBIs and a .759 OPS.

“Just trying to relax and stay focused,” he said. “My plate discipline (got better) and just playing the game every day. Going to Norfolk, I was away from (my Bowie) home for the first time, so just being able to apply myself totally to baseball was a big adjustment for me.”

Over 82 games at Norfolk, Hoes hit .300 with three homers, 38 RBIs and a .771 OPS.

Hoes spent much of spring training in the big league clubhouse and playing in big league spring games, and said that experience helps him feel at home with the O’s now.

“It definitely does and also to be in Triple-A with a lot of the guys that are here now,” he said. “Being around those guys and (Adam Jones) staying on me, I feel relaxed and comfortable here.

“I enjoyed my time off (after the Tides’ season ended) and spending some time with my family. My grandfather passed away a couple weeks ago, so it’s been hectic. It was nice to relax and be around my family for a little bit.”

But now the O’s 2008 third-round selection finds himself in the majors and in a pennant race. Some of those movies can wait now.