Randy Jones (baseball player)
Encyclopedia
Randall Leo Jones nicknamed "Junkman", is a former Major League Baseball
left-handed
pitcher
. He attended Brea-Olinda High School in Brea, California. He attended Chapman University
in Orange, California
. He was known for his sinker
and the large number of ground-ball outs he induced.
in the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft
. His major league debut on June 16, 1973.
In , Jones went 8-22 with a 4.45 ERA. He was able to turn it around in when he won 20 games and led the National League with a 2.24 ERA earning The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award
honors. His best season was in , 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. He 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.
Jones 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. He 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, he 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 season. On December 15, 1980, he was traded to the New York Mets
. After the season, Jones signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates
. He was released by the Pirates before the season started, thus ending his playing career.
His career win-loss record was just 100-123; he remains the only Cy Young winner with a losing record (among starting pitchers who played their whole career in the major leagues). He was named an All-Star
in 1975 and 1976. After his retirement, Jones' uniform #35 was retired by the Padres.
, a current Major League pitcher with the San Francisco Giants
and the 2002 Cy Young Award
winner while with the Oakland Athletics
. He also is the owner of Randy Jones All American Grill, Randy Jones Big Stone Lodge, the home of his catering
business Randy Jones Buckboard Catering. The Big Stone Lodge also sells a barbecue sauce
that bears Jones' name.http://users.sdccu.net/hoggy/bslodge.html Jones also is involved in the San Diego Padres
local radio broadcast pregame show.
In 1996, Jones was also inducted by the San Diego Hall of Champions
into the Breitbard Hall of Fame honoring San Diego's finest athletes both on and off the playing surface.http://www.sdhoc.com/awards/hall-of-fame/baseball/randy-jones/
Jones can be heard live, every Tuesday at 1:00-2:00 (PST) on wsRadio
.com. "Randy Jones on Baseball" covers everything baseball from his Hall of Fame/Legendary guests, to the latest news and an inside look at the Major League Season.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He attended Brea-Olinda High School in Brea, California. He attended Chapman University
Chapman University
Chapman University is a private, non-profit university located in Orange, California affiliated with the Christian Church . Known for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs, Chapman University encompasses seven schools and colleges: Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media...
in Orange, California
Orange, California
Southern California is well-known for year-round pleasant weather: - On average, the warmest month is August. - The highest recorded temperature was in 1985. - On average, the coolest month is December. - The lowest recorded temperature was in 1950...
. He was known for his sinker
Sinker (baseball)
In baseball, a sinker , is a type of fastball pitch which has significant downward and horizontal movement. The sinker is known for inducing a lot of ground balls...
and the large number of ground-ball outs he induced.
Professional baseball career
Jones was drafted Five Round by the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
in the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft
1972 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1972 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Montreal Expos had perhaps their best draft in franchise history. The Expos grabbed outfielder Ellis Valentine in round two of the June regular phase and then...
. His major league debut on June 16, 1973.
In , Jones went 8-22 with a 4.45 ERA. He was able to turn it around in when he won 20 games and led the National League with a 2.24 ERA earning The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award
The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award
The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award is the oldest of three annual awards in Major League Baseball given to one player in each league who has reemerged as a star in that season. It was established in 1965...
honors. His best season was in , when he went 22-14 with a 2.74 ERA, winning the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
and being named The Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year. He 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.
Jones 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. He 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, he 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 season. On December 15, 1980, he was traded to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. After the season, Jones signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. He was released by the Pirates before the season started, thus ending his playing career.
His career win-loss record was just 100-123; he remains the only Cy Young winner with a losing record (among starting pitchers who played their whole career in the major leagues). He was named an All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
in 1975 and 1976. After his retirement, Jones' uniform #35 was retired by the Padres.
Post-playing career: Coaching and Catering
After retiring from Major League Baseball, Jones has coached young pitchers. His most prominent pupil was Barry ZitoBarry Zito
Barry Zito is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. He previously played seven seasons with the Oakland Athletics, where he won the 2002 American League Cy Young Award and made three All-Star teams....
, a current Major League pitcher with the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
and the 2002 Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
winner while with the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. He also is the owner of Randy Jones All American Grill, Randy Jones Big Stone Lodge, the home of his catering
Catering
Catering is the business of providing foodservice at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, public house , or other location.-Mobile catering:A mobile caterer serves food directly from a vehicle or cart that is designed for the purpose...
business Randy Jones Buckboard Catering. The Big Stone Lodge also sells a barbecue sauce
Barbecue sauce
Barbecue sauce is a flavoring sauce or condiment ranging from watery to very thick consistency. As the name implies, it was created as an accompaniment to barbecued foods. While it can be applied to any food, it usually tops meat after cooking or during barbecuing, grilling, or baking...
that bears Jones' name.http://users.sdccu.net/hoggy/bslodge.html Jones also is involved in the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
local radio broadcast pregame show.
In 1996, Jones was also inducted by the San Diego Hall of Champions
San Diego Hall of Champions
The San Diego Hall of Champions is an American multi-sport museum in San Diego, California. Located in the Federal Building in Balboa Park, the facility recognizes outstanding athletic accomplishments and traditions involving more than forty-two sports...
into the Breitbard Hall of Fame honoring San Diego's finest athletes both on and off the playing surface.http://www.sdhoc.com/awards/hall-of-fame/baseball/randy-jones/
Jones can be heard live, every Tuesday at 1:00-2:00 (PST) on wsRadio
WsRadio
wsRadio is an Internet talk radio which started broadcasting on August 15, 2001 with 5 shows and has grown to over 120 shows....
.com. "Randy Jones on Baseball" covers everything baseball from his Hall of Fame/Legendary guests, to the latest news and an inside look at the Major League Season.