BALTIMORE -- In his first year with the Baltimore Orioles, Brian Roberts played shortstop alongside third baseman Cal Ripken, Jr., who was in the final year of what turned out to be a Hall of Fame career. Now in his first season with the New York Yankees, Roberts is lining up next to shortstop Derek Jeter -- whos putting the finishing touches on what appears to be a Hall of Fame career. "Ive definitely been extremely blessed to take part in both of their last years," Roberts said. "They have so many similarities: the way they go about the game, the way they go about their business on and off the field, so professional in both ways, so respected by everyone. When you play with each of them you see why. They both do just do everything the right way, treat people the right way. Its something that all of us can learn from." The 36-year-old Roberts wont soon forget the experience. "We all take things from every place that weve been and people that we play with, but certainly when you play with guys of that calibre and that stature in the game, I think its special for all of us to have the opportunity to do that," he said. Roberts played 51 games at shortstop in 2001, his first year with the Orioles, and has been at second base ever since. After spending 13 years with the Orioles, he signed as a free agent with the Yankees in January. He returned to Camden Yards on Friday for the first time since his departure. "Its crazy," he said in the New York clubhouse. "I dont know if I walked in here one time in my career. Its definitely strange to walk by the home clubhouse and come over here but its kind of a new chapter of life. Im certainly excited to be back. Spent the night in my house. Good to sleep in your own bed sometimes." Roberts was extremely popular in Baltimore, but during the later stages of his career he played sparingly because of a variety of injuries -- most notably a concussion that impacted his 2011 and 2012 seasons. Being healthy with the Yankees was just what he wanted when he opted to play another year. "Its been great. Thats all I was hoping for this year was to have the opportunity to get out and play on a consistent basis and feel healthy and feel like I was contributing," Roberts said. "From that standpoint, its certainly been a year Ive been pleased with." Playing with the Orioles, however, was tough to beat. "Certainly the 13 years that I had in Baltimore were the best years of my life," Roberts said. "No one can take that away from us. Very appreciative to have those years. And now, to do this is just something new." New York manager Joe Girardi expected Roberts to get a warm reception from the fans at Camden Yards. "He put up a lot of big numbers here, did a lot of great things here," Girardi said. "He was a fan favourite for a long time here, so I would hope they would greet him well." When Roberts got to the plate in the second inning, he received a smattering of applause. He then drove the first pitch from Miguel Gonzalez over the right-field scoreboard for his fifth home run of the year. Cheap Stitched Jerseys . Hemsky left the Oilers Tuesday night loss to the Dallas Stars in the second period and did not return. Through 48 games this season, Hemsky has seven goals and a total of 24 points. Stitched NFL Jerseys .com) - Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James will sit out Thursdays game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with left knee soreness. http://www.cheapstitchedjerseysonline.com/ . Right-hander Todd Redmond took the loss. Jose Bautista hit his second home run of the spring. Here are a handful of tidbits from around camp: Hutchison impressive The Blue Jays are being cautious when talking about their young arms but internally, excitement is building over the way Drew Hutchison is looking and performing this spring. NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap . Not because it was right, but because referees werent allowed to determine it was wrong. Wholesale Basketball Jerseys . Less than 24 hours later, in the same arena, he tried to recreate the magic of his all-time favourite player. Hilliard scored a career-high 26 points and No.WEST BROMWICH, England -- Scott Sinclair has ended his miserable spell at Manchester City by joining fellow Premier League side West Bromwich Albion on a season-long loan deal. West Brom says Thursday the club has the option to sign the former Chelsea and Swansea winger on a permanent basis at the end of the season. The 24-year-old Sinclair, who played for Britain in the Olympic football tournamennt at the London Games, signed for City for 6.dddddddddddd2 million pounds ($9.6 million) last summer but only started two league games last season. West Brom manager Steve Clarke says Sinclair will bring a "wow factor" to the team, adding "he has had a frustrating time at Manchester City but you cannot doubt his quality in terms of what he has done in the past." ' ' '