masn-baseballs-orioles.jpg“Work or Don’t Eat.” That phrase was scripted across the front of All-Star center fielder Adam Jones’ shirt as he and Wayne Kirby strolled down Eutaw Street to Boog’s BBQ stand. Trays of ribs in hand, the duo set to take on CareFirst Fan Challenge winner Thomas Turnbaugh in a good, old-fashioned BBQ battle.
While Jones and Kirby prepared Greek-style ribs, throwing them on the grill and adding lemon and secret spices, Turnbaugh brought a unique course to the table: a classic pulled-pork BBQ…

“Work or Don’t Eat.” That phrase was scripted across the front of All-Star center fielder Adam Jones’ shirt as he and Wayne Kirby strolled down Eutaw Street to Boog’s BBQ stand. Trays of ribs in hand, the duo set to take on CareFirst Fan Challenge winner Thomas Turnbaugh in a good, old-fashioned BBQ battle.

While Jones and Kirby prepared Greek-style ribs, throwing them on the grill and adding lemon and secret spices, Turnbaugh brought a unique course to the table: a classic pulled-pork BBQ sandwich and the Turnbaugh’s famous chicken cupcakes.

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On a warm day at Camden Yards, Turnbaugh – with his father serving as his sous chef – grinded at the grills at Boog’s, using his backhand to brush away a line of sweat from his forehead and wiping away secret sauce on his Orioles-themed BBQ apron. While working to prepare and plate their dishes just right, a panel of judges looked on, salivating at what they saw.

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Judges – MASN analyst and former Oriole Mike Bordick, MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko and the BBQ expert himself, Boog Powell – commented on the cooking process and on how “they skipped lunch for this” as they looked on at the delicious food they were about to judge.

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Then, finally it was time for the judges to taste Kirby and Jones’ ribs and CareFirst winner Turnbaugh’s plate.

While it was a tough battle, Kirby’s famous ribs, with a unique Greek-style seasoning, just beat out Turnbaugh’s dish (but you’d never be able to tell as the judges ate every last bite of Turnbaugh’s pork and chicken cupcakes).

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Earlier in the season, Turnbaugh was hand-selected by Jones among hundreds of applicants in the CareFirst Fan Challenge. He tweeted his BBQ challenge for Jones with the tag #IChallengeAJ.


For a full recap of the CareFirst Fan Challenge, check out the video below. And remember: #StayHungry