Randy Jones (baseball)

Infobox MLB retired


name=Randy Jones
position=Pitcher
bats=Right
throws=Left
birthdate=birth date and age|1950|1|12
Fullerton, California
debutdate=June 16
debutyear=by|1973
debutteam=San Diego Padres
finaldate=September 7
finalyear=by|1982
finalteam=New York Mets
stat1label=Win-Loss record
stat1value=100-123
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=3.42
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=735
teams=
* San Diego Padres (by|1973-by|1980)
* New York Mets (by|1981-by|1982)
highlights=
* 2x All-Star selection (1975, 1976)
* 1976 NL Cy Young
* 1976 NL TSN Pitcher of the Year
* 1975 NL Comeback Player of the Year
* San Diego Padres #35 retired

Randall Leo Jones (born January 12 1950 in Fullerton, California), nicknamed "Junkman," is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was known for his sinker and the large number of ground-ball outs he induced. He became the first home-grown star for the San Diego Padres after being selected by the club, which began play in by|1969, in the by|1972 entry draft. By June of the following year, Jones was playing for the major league team.

The transition was not easy however. In by|1974 Jones posted a record of 8-22 with a 4.45 ERA. He was able to turn it around in by|1975 when he won 20 games and led the National League with a 2.24 ERA earning The Sporting News NL Comeback Player of the Year honors. His best season was in by|1976 when he went 22-14 with a 2.74 ERA winning the National League Cy Young Award and being named The Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year. Randy was selected as the left-handed pitcher on The Sporting News NL All-Star Teams after the 1975 and 1976 seasons.

Jones established the Major League season record for most chances accepted by a pitcher without an error (112 in 1976), tied ML pitchers records for highest season fielding percentage (1.000, 1976) and most assists in an inning (3, 9/28/75 - 3rd inning), and tied the NL pitchers season record for the most double plays with 12 in 1976.

Randy owns the distinction of recording a save for the NL in the 1975 All Star game and being the starting and winning pitcher the next year. Randy entered the 1976 All-Star Game with a record of 16-3, an All Star break win total that no one has equaled since. During his last start of the 1976 season, Randy injured a nerve in his pitching arm that required exploratory surgery, and he was never quite able to regain his Cy Young form.

Jones pitched effectively for San Diego through the by|1980 season. On December 15, 1980, he was traded to the New York Mets. After the by|1982 season, Jones signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was released by the Pirates before the by|1983 season started, thus ending his playing career.

His career statistics include a 100-123 record and an ERA of 3.42. He was named an All-Star in 1975 and 1976. After his retirement, Jones' uniform #35 was retired by the Padres.

Post MLB Coaching

After retiring from Major League Baseball, Jones has coached young pitchers. His most prominent pupil was Barry Zito [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9501E5D81631F93BA35752C1A9649C8B63 BASEBALL; Zito Beats Martínez to Win First Cy Young Award - New York Times ] ] , a current Major League pitcher with the San Francisco Giants and the 2002 Cy Young Award winner while with the Oakland Athletics.

ee also

* List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
* List of Major League Baseball wins champions

References

External links

*Randy Jones at:
** [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/J/Jones_Randy.stm Baseball Library]
** [http://www.baseball-reference.com/j/jonesra01.shtml Baseball Reference]