Nick Markakis apologizes for comments regarding sour contract talks with Orioles

Nick Markakis wants to clear the air.

The former Baltimore Oriole issued an apology Thursday for venting his frustration regarding failed contract extension talks with the club.

The now Atlanta Braves outfielder believes his comments about not being able to trust the Orioles front office, and that they didn't want him back because of a neck injury were taken out of context.

"Basically, he (reporter) asked me a question from somebody that said something in the front office and it was not even true and I just kind of spoke my mind at the time," Markakis said via MASN's Roch Kubatko. "The bottom line is, I shouldn't have responded at all and I just wanted to clear things up and move on. My attention now is on the Braves and my teammates. What I did there (in Baltimore) is there."

Markakis was the longest-tenured Oriole on the roster with nine years of service before signing a four-year, $44-million deal with the Braves.