Randy Jones, the left-hander who gained the Cy Younger Award with the San Diego Padres in 1976 throughout a 10-year main league profession, has died. He was 75.
Jones died Tuesday, the Padres introduced Wednesday, with out disclosing a location or trigger.
Jones pitched eight seasons for San Diego and two for the New York Mets, going 100-123 with a 3.42 ERA. He nonetheless holds the Padres franchise information with 253 begins, 71 full video games, 18 shutouts and 1,766 innings pitched.
Jones was one of many majors’ finest pitchers in 1975 and 1976, incomes two All-Star picks and changing into the primary participant to win the Cy Younger for the Padres, who started play as an growth group in 1969.
He completed second in Cy Younger voting behind Tom Seaver in 1975 after going 20-12 with an NL-leading 2.24 ERA for a San Diego group that gained simply 71 video games.
Jones gained the award one 12 months later, profitable 22 video games for a 73-win group whereas pitching 315 1/3 innings over 40 begins, together with 25 full video games — all tops within the majors. The still-young Padres skilled a surge in attendance every time he pitched from followers who appreciated his everyman stature and resourceful pitching abilities, and he made the quilt of Sports activities Illustrated.
He earned the save within the 1975 All-Star Sport, and he acquired the victory for the NL in 1976. He by no means regained his high type after injuring his arm throughout his closing begin of 1976, however he remained a significant league starter till 1982 with the Mets.
Jones was a floor ball specialist who relied on deception and management as a substitute of velocity, resulting in his “Junkman” nickname. His profession statistics replicate a bygone period of baseball: He began 285 video games and pitched 1,933 profession innings in his 10-year profession however recorded solely 735 profession strikeouts, together with simply 93 in his Cy Younger season.
“Randy was a cornerstone of our franchise for over 5 many years,” the Padres stated in an announcement. “His affect and recognition solely grew in his post-playing profession, changing into an amazing ambassador for the group and a real fan favourite. Crossing paths with RJ and speaking baseball or life was a pleasure for everybody lucky sufficient to spend time with him. Randy was dedicated to San Diego, the Padres and his household. He was a large in our lives and our franchise historical past.”
Born in Orange County, Jones returned to San Diego County after his taking part in profession ended and have become a face of the Padres franchise at video games and in the neighborhood. A barbecue restaurant bearing his title was established on the Padres’ former dwelling, Qualcomm Stadium, and later moved to Petco Park together with the group.
Jones introduced in 2017 that he had throat most cancers, possible a results of his career-long use of chewing tobacco. He introduced he was cancer-free in 2018.
Jones’ No. 35 was retired by the Padres in 1997, and he joined the group’s Corridor of Fame in 1999.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
