"Flashing his ever-present smile and calling himself a new man, Miguel Tejada reported to spring training camp Tuesday morning and began the challenge of learning a new position.

"It's the first day with the team, but I'm feeling comfortable because I've been working," Tejada said after the team's first full-squad workout at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. "As soon as I signed, I started working at third base. Today, I was really excited. I'm like a little kid with a new toy. I feel like I'm coming home."

After reporting to camp, Tejada greeted Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis, who were his teammates during his stint as the team's shortstop from 2004 to 2007. He broke into an impromptu dance during the team stretch, flawlessly handled some ground balls at third base and connected for a couple of home runs during batting practice.

He did it all with that trademark smile, which had disappeared during his final days as an Oriole, when the team's losing got the best of him.

"Right now, this team has a lot of young guys with talent," said Tejada, who was traded to the Houston Astros in December 2007 for pitchers Matt Albers, Troy Patton and Dennis Sarfate, outfielder Luke Scott and minor league third baseman Mike Costanzo. "Now, it's not one or two [guys]. It's kind of like the whole team.

"We have a young catcher [Matt Wieters] that can be a superstar," Tejada said. "They have another kid in left field [Nolan Reimold] that can be a superstar. They have a center fielder [Adam Jones], Brian, Markakis. If you remember, there were not many guys like that when I signed last time. Now, it feels like I'm the guy that is going to be protecting all the young kids. I think we're going to have a real fun year."

Tejada, 35, wasted no time in making an impression on his new teammates. He took ground balls at third base with Ty Wigginton, his former teammate in Houston, saying, "Me and Wiggy. Unbelievable." He spent time talking with shortstop Cesar Izturis and joking around with other Orioles, including Robert Andino and Felix Pie."