An Orioles hero is returning to the organization — only this time it’s in an off-field role.

Adam Jones, the longtime center fielder who retired as an Oriole in 2023, is returning to Baltimore as a special adviser to the general manager and a community ambassador. In the role, Jones will advise general manager Mike Elias on “various matters,” a release from the club said, while also serving as a resource for the entire stable of major and minor league players in the organization.

Jones brings ample experience. He was acquired from the Seattle Mariners in 2008 and became a staple for Baltimore’s outfield for 11 years. He ranks fourth in franchise history in total bases; fifth in runs scored, home runs, RBIs and extra-base hits; and eighth in hits and total games played.

He was a five-time All-Star selection during his time as an Oriole and he earned four Gold Glove Awards. He made the Hall of Fame ballot this year, but without the requisite 5% vote, Jones’ name won’t remain on the ballot going forward.

Elias said he and Jones have gotten to know each other slowly over the past several years, and a role such as this has been a discussion for many of them. The timing finally worked now.

“I think that David Rubenstein buying the team and the ownership group has given us a really fresh platform here to examine everything, and certainly expanding the relations with our alumni, formatting that in a way that makes sense for everybody, that’s something that’s been an ongoing discussion. And to me, this is a great place to start,” Elias said. “The team that Adam was a big part of ... his team was kind of the last group to have a good run in the American League East, and so it’s important for me to kind of build a bridge to that era, and Adam is the perfect guy.”

A release from the club said Jones will participate in several community service projects sponsored by the organization, including the Orioles’ adopt-a-school partnership with Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School. He’ll also work with Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities and the Little League Challenger Division.

Jones will also be a guest coach during spring training this year. Pitchers and catchers are due to report Feb. 12, and the first full-squad workout is Feb. 18.

“You know me. You know I love the game, I love being around it, and I think this is a terrific opportunity for me to stop giving my thoughts to the world and just give my thoughts to Mike and the organization,” Jones said. “And also on the other side, to continue what I started with the community relations and community work that my wife and I have started over the years. So I think this is a good opportunity collectively for us all and I’m just thrilled for this opportunity. It’s been a long time coming, and just ecstatic about this opportunity.”

Jones continues work he did as a player. While in Baltimore, he volunteered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore, the Orioles RBI Program and the Maryland YMCA.

But on top of his work locally, Elias said Jones’ knowledge of Japanese baseball could be helpful when attempting to attract players from abroad to Baltimore. Jones finished his career playing two seasons for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan. While there, Jones even faced right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano, the 35-year-old who signed with the Orioles this offseason.

Elias said Jones “signed off” on the addition of Sugano, noting how Sugano has struck out Jones at least once. Jones was quick to set the record straight.

“I remember, my first at-bat, I think he got me, struck me out,” Jones said of facing Sugano in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. “My second at-bat, I got a knock off him, and I hit it really crisp, too. So people don’t want to show that part. But I had good at-bats off of him. Obviously, he pitched very, very well against our really good lineup. And that was a hell of a game. We won 2-1. That was a hell of a game. And him pitching against that lineup, that was an All-Star lineup, and he navigated it well.”

That’s all part of the knowledge Jones brings to the Orioles. He won’t be coaching, Jones acknowledged, but there’s plenty of mentorship opportunities.

“I think my energy, being around the guys, just there pumping up the guys, if I’m in a suite or in the stands with a hot dog, pumping them up from the front row, anywhere I’m at, it doesn’t matter,” Jones said. “The guys feed off that energy.”