After big game against Royals, Ryan O’Hearn takes high road when asked about former team

The very first Royals transaction of 2023 was a trade.

First baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn was dealt to the Orioles on Jan. 3 for cash considerations, and he’s enjoying his best season in the majors with Baltimore.

O’Hearn, who was selected by the Royals in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB Draft and played five seasons with Kansas City, is batting .328 with a .989 on-base-plus-slugging-percentage in 24 games.

On Sunday, O’Hearn was 3 for 3 with a home run and two walks in the Orioles’ 11-3 win over the Royals in Baltimore.

O’Hearn, 29, was asked after the game if he took special satisfaction in having a big day against his former team.

Rather than gloat, O’Hearn took the high road.

“Like I said, I love all those guys over there,” O’Hearn said. “I don’t like the term ‘revenge game.’ I had a great time playing with my boys today. I’m happy to be an Oriole. It was a great day and a great sweep and, you know, keep it rolling.”

O’Hearn also went 2 for 2 on Saturday and has reached base in seven straight plate appearances.

“I feel as confident as I ever have in the box right now,” O’Hearn told the Baltimore Sun’s Hayes Gardner. “So, today was a lot of fun.”

Here is the on-field postgame interview with O’Hearn and Gunnar Henderson at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.