SAN ANTONIO de GUERRA, Dominican Republic – Among the stacks of mental snapshots from yesterday’s opening of the Orioles’ new baseball academy, with its Sarasota vibe that whets the appetite for spring training, is the image of former pitcher Ubaldo Jiménez strolling into the complex with a big smile on his face and his old black cap with the orange bill perched atop his head.

The man doesn’t take the chance to represent lightly.

Jiménez was invited to the ceremony and made the trip from his Miami home, where his passions are real estate investments and helping to raise his three daughters. He last pitched in the majors with the Orioles on Sept. 22, 2017. The Rockies signed him in February 2020 and released him five months later.

Still appearing in baseball shape, could another comeback attempt be in the works? Jiménez flashed his familiar smile again and reminded us that he turns 40 next week.

Jiménez couldn’t single out just one feature of the state-of-the-art academy that most impressed him.

Even as the Orioles' season winds down, there are still O's events to look forward to in the area, such as the Mora family's charity golf tournament coming up in early October. Melvin and Gisel Mora will host a charity golf tournament at Bulle Rock in Harve d Grace on Tuesday, October 6. The tournament includes a continental breakfast during registration, complimentary driving range balls, beverages and snacks provided throughout the course during play, Hours d'oeuvres, an open bar, an...