Bobby Jones (right-handed pitcher)

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=#ff5731
bgcolor2=#003581
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=Bobby Jones


position=Pitcher
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1970|2|10
deathdate=
debutdate=August 14
debutyear=by|1993
debutteam=New York Mets
finaldate=September 2
finalyear=2002
finalteam=San Diego Padres
stat1label=Win-Loss
stat1value=89-83
stat2label=ERA
stat2value=4.36
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=887
teams=
*New York Mets (by|1993-by|2000)
*San Diego Padres (by|2001-by|2002)
highlights=
*All-Star (NL): 1997

Robert Joseph Jones (born February 10 1970 in Fresno, California) is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. His career spanned from 1993 through 2002. He pitched for two teams, the New York Mets, and the San Diego Padres. He attended the same high school as another notable Mets pitcher, Tom Seaver.

Jones was selected by the Mets with the 36th pick in the 1st round of the 1991 amateur draft. He was a compensatory pick the Mets received when Darryl Strawberry left the team as a free agent. He made his major league debut on August 14, by|1993 against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he picked up a win, allowing one run over six innings.

By by|1994, Jones had emerged as a mainstay in the Mets starting rotation. His 12 wins and 3.15 earned run average placed him among the league leaders. In by|1995, he led the team in wins and strikeouts.

by|1997 was a breakout year for Jones. He raced out to an early 10-2 record by June, and appeared in his first and only All-Star Game. He pitched the 8th inning for the National League, and highlighted his effort with strikeouts of Ken Griffey, Jr and Mark McGwire. Although Jones fizzled out in the second half of the season, his 15 wins stood as his career best.

By by|1999, however, Jones ended up being the odd man out in a crowded rotation. After missing much of the season with injuries, posting only 12 starts, Jones was left off the Mets' postseason roster. More indignity faced Jones as he was sent down to the minor leagues following a poor start in the by|2000 season. However, Jones returned to the Mets in late June, and although his 5.06 ERA was his worst for any season in which he started more than 25 games, he was included as the 4th starter on the Mets' postseason roster.

Selected to start the 4th and potentially clinching game of the National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants, Jones delivered the finest outing of his career. Masterfully mixing his 85 MPH fastball and 65 MPH curveball, Jones kept the Giants' potent lineup thoroughly baffled all afternoon. Jones retired the Giants in order in 8 out of 9 innings, allowing only a 5th-inning double to Jeff Kent. His one-hit shutout clinched the series and sent the Mets on to the National League Championship Series. It also set a Mets' record for fewest hits allowed in a post-season game, besting Jon Matlack's two-hitter in the 1973 NLCS.

Jones went on to make starts in both the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals and in the World Series against the New York Yankees. However, Mets management allowed him to leave via free agency following the 2000 season, and he signed with the San Diego Padres, where he posted two marginal years before retiring following the by|2002 season.

Jones posted double figures in wins each season from 1994 through 1997. He currently stands 9th on the Mets all time list with 74 wins.Cousin to Allie Phillips.

ee also

*Bobby Jones (left-handed pitcher)

External links

*baseball-reference|id=j/jonesbo03
* [http://ultimatemets.com/profile.php?PlayerCode=0490 Player Page at The Ultimate Mets Database]

Persondata
NAME=Jones, Robert Joseph
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Jones, Bobby; Jones, Bobby J.
SHORT DESCRIPTION=American baseball player
DATE OF BIRTH=February 10 1970
PLACE OF BIRTH=Fresno, California
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=