zknower

I've always been grateful to the Orioles fans and even more so now that I'm looking back on it. I really enjoyed interacting and playing in front of them as much as you could ever imagine. This is my favorite team I played on with the Orioles in terms of the 25 guys and the coaches, and I'll miss them probably more than I even realize right now. The friendships have meant a lot to me. Those are the things that come to mind. And I really believe this team has a lot of good parts. I think they'll win and that will be hard for me. It will be hard not being part of it when I see them winning, which I expect them to do. ... There aren't many things the last five years that I don't remember. The ones I think of right away include my first opening day at Camden Yards, seeing the festivities, having never been on an opening day roster and seeing what it's all about in that city and that community. And my great teammates. Even Matt Wieters being called up to the big leagues is something I'll always remember, the excitement for that. There are countless memories and I don't anticipate forgetting those moments ever. ...I think everything that happened the past five years helped me grow and my family grow. My five years in Baltimore are a huge part of my family's lives and the foundation for what's going on the rest of our time here.

Orioles third base/infielders coach Willie Randolph acknowledged he was "a little disappointed" when he learned Thursday night in a telephone conversation with Orioles manager Buck Showalter that he would not be back with the club next season, "but I am always going to move forward."