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Doug Jones Passes Away

By Anthony Franco | November 22, 2021 at 4:59pm CDT

Former major league reliever Doug Jones has passed away, according to an announcement from the Guardians. He was 64 years old.

A right-hander, Jones first broke into the majors in 1982 with the eventual American League champion Brewers. That was just a four-game cameo, though, and he didn’t make it back to the bigs until 1986 with the Indians. Despite not really get an extended big league look until his age-30 season, Jones emerged as a fixture in the bullpen by 1987. He worked 91 1/3 frames of 3.15 ERA ball that year before kicking off a three-year run of sub-2.60 ERA, 30+ save seasons.

Jones was selected to the All-Star game each year from 1988-90, garnering down ballot MVP support in two of those seasons. After some uncharacteristic struggles in 1991, he posted arguably his best ever season the following year. Jones worked 111 2/3 innings across 80 relief outings with the Astros in 1992, earning his fourth All-Star nod and his highest MVP finish (14th). He’d continue to be an effective bullpen workhorse deep into his 40’s, earning his fifth and final All-Star selection in 1994 and again appearing on MVP ballots in 1997 before retiring in 2000.

Jones twice led MLB in games finished, wrapping up 70 contests with the ’92 Astros and 73 games with the ’97 Brewers. He appeared in parts of sixteen major league seasons and worked 1128 1/3 innings of 3.30 ERA ball over 846 outings. Jones recorded 303 career saves and struck out 909 batters. His 129 saves with Cleveland ranks third in franchise history, and he ranks seventh in that category on Houston’s career leaderboard. Jones also pitched for the A’s, Pirates, Phillies, Cubs and Orioles over the course of his very impressive career. During his post-playing career, he served as a coach in the Rockies’ farm system.

MLBTR joins others around the game in sending our condolences to Jones’ family, friends, teammates and loved ones.

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View Comments (52)

Comments

  1. bucsfan0004

    1 year ago

    F Covid

    Reply
  2. orange2001

    1 year ago

    RIP Doug Jones

    Reply
  3. goastros123

    1 year ago

    RIP.

    Reply
  4. baseballguy_128

    1 year ago

    RIP Jones

    Reply
  5. Fever Pitch Guy

    1 year ago

    Thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
    • floridagators

      1 year ago

      I stopped dinner just to say a prayer

      Reply
      • titanic struggle

        1 year ago

        Well done sir…my condolences as well..

        Reply
  6. letsholdemandgohome

    1 year ago

    Don’t remember him very well if at all, but all our condolences to his friends and family. Will make the holidays a very sad time instead of a joyous time. My heart goes out to them. I lost a brother-in-law on Christmas morning one year. Very difficult holiday season that year.

    Reply
    • thecoffinnail

      1 year ago

      I remember Jones from when it looked like the Cubs were trying to find the most intimidating looking closers in baseball. Jones then Beck looked like they rode with the Hells Angels in the off-season.

      Reply
      • Rsox

        1 year ago

        Beck literally lived in a trailer down by the river…

        Reply
  7. bucsfan0004

    1 year ago

    RIP Doug Jones. I remember the old baseball card of him where he’s holding the ball and its on fire.

    Reply
    • Ully

      1 year ago

      That was the first image that popped into my head as well

      Reply
    • davengmusic

      1 year ago

      Studio 1993, I think?

      Reply
      • bucsfan0004

        1 year ago

        Older. 1990 Score maybe?

        Reply
        • MannyPineappleExpress9

          1 year ago

          If its Topps or Score, I might actually have it..somewhere.

        • sjwil1

          1 year ago

          1991 Score Dream Team

        • Perksy

          1 year ago

          I remember that well too. Solid closer.

    • Avory

      1 year ago

      Which is completely hilarious, and Doug would be the first one to wryly smile at that. Why? Because Doug Jones had two pitches: a slowball and a hellacious change-up. You never had to worry about Doug’s “heater” and his change would STILL get major league hitters out. Think Eli Morgan without Morgan’s stuff. Yeah, that’s right, Jones makes Eli Morgan look like Sandy Koufax. Watching Doug Jones pitch was one of the most entertaining things ever, and he ranks among my favorite members of the Tribe, ever. RIP, Doug, your mark on this realm will never be forgotten by anyone who saw you play. It took major cajones to think you could get guys out with what you took to the mound.

      Reply
  8. Lee Mazzilli for HOF

    1 year ago

    Really nice guy. As a kid at Yankee stadium chatting with fans signing autographs playing catch from bullpen to stands. Was the visiting team. RIP

    Reply
  9. getoffmylawn

    1 year ago

    He was a great reliever and a lot of fun to watch. He had one of the greatest change-ups ever, which is incredible considering he didn’t throw very hard. In today’s game he probably wouldn’t have been given a chance because he didn’t throw 95. Doug Jones had great composure on the mound, a perfect disposition for a closer, he never got rattled. Thanks for the memories, Doug, from this Indians fan. Prayers and thoughts for him and his family at this difficult time.

    Reply
    • thecoffinnail

      1 year ago

      I agree. I wonder what would have become of Greg Maddux in today’s game. I can’t remember him ever breaking 91mph in his prime and stayed in the upper 80’s in his 40’s. He was also rocked in his first couple of seasons. I doubt he would have ever have been given the chance to become what he did. Glavine was a lefty so I am sure he would have been given a long rope.

      Reply
      • Dunk Dunkington

        1 year ago

        Maddux would of made it, just look at Kyle Hendricks for an example.

        Good pitchers find a way.

        Reply
      • lordd99

        1 year ago

        With his command and late movement? He’d eat apart hitters swinging hard.

        When he was signed he threw 93/94, but that was not his game. Fans in retrospect like to decrease his velocity.

        Reply
  10. stymeedone

    1 year ago

    Jones got his outs with his off speed stuff. I remember listening to WWWE radio and hearing them talk about how he didn’t look good when he was getting people out, and that was why he had such a hard time making the team over players with blazing fast balls. Always rooted for him.

    Reply
  11. all in the suit that you wear

    1 year ago

    RIP

    Reply
  12. floridagators

    1 year ago

    Prayinggg

    Reply
    • fffbbb

      1 year ago

      Why?

      Reply
    • orange2001

      1 year ago

      For his family and loved ones who are hurting right now?

      Reply
  13. stevetampa

    1 year ago

    Doug had three speeds – slow, slower, slowest. It was fun to watch his mastery of the change.

    Reply
    • imissbaseball2020

      1 year ago

      I remember watching a game and the announcers said that.

      Reply
  14. Oscar Gamble

    1 year ago

    He was a closer without traditional closer stuff. I enjoyed watching him.

    Reply
  15. Louholtz22

    1 year ago

    Bummer. Good dude. Too bad he wasn’t ready til ‘87. Could’ve used his stuff in the 82 series against the red birds. No Rollie, no title. P.S. Pete Ladd got jobbed on a strike right down the middle that was called a ball…

    Reply
  16. Monkey’s Uncle

    1 year ago

    RIP to the “Mild Thing”: he got that nickname as a play on the Major League movie character, both because Doug didn’t throw hard and because he was a quiet and laid back guy. It was truly a joy to watch him pitch because he really knew “how to pitch”. He wasn’t going to throw the fastball by you, so he relied on command, intuition and brains, and he had plenty of all of them. Considering that his bread and butter was his outstanding changeup it’s really remarkable that he was so successful as a lights-out closer, usually the domain of the hard throwers. I’ll bet he was an interesting guy to talk baseball with too.

    Reply
  17. Dunk Dunkington

    1 year ago

    Damn! That stinks, I remember him well as a Cubs fan and when he was playing for the Astros, you knew when he came into the game it was over and try again tomorrow.

    RIP DOUG!

    Reply
  18. 2001morecowbell2001

    1 year ago

    RIP old school legend of epic facial hair *pours out beer*

    Reply
    • Dunk Dunkington

      1 year ago

      paved the way for legends like Rod Beck.

      Reply
      • 2001morecowbell2001

        1 year ago

        You just don’t see epic staches like that anymore and this makes me sad in an old man sad way.

        Reply
  19. cards1985

    1 year ago

    Very good pitcher. RIP

    Reply
  20. Eatdust666

    1 year ago

    That’s too bad

    Reply
  21. thickiedon

    1 year ago

    Did a SOLID job with the Stros.

    Reply
  22. The Einheri

    1 year ago

    Rest easily, Doug.

    Reply
  23. bucketbrew35

    1 year ago

    RIP
    https://www.google.com/search?q=1991+score+dream+team+doug+Jones&client=ms-android-sprint-us-sscr-revc&biw=412&bih=774&tbm=isch&prmd=sinxv&sxsrf=AOaemvK2qT1WtVVbNLcARTU-7fiV10goZw:1637633955794&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjR0tLxta30AhUil3IEHd9qDpAQ_AUIKCgC#imgrc=sv-101708562-154261179674

    Reply
  24. Rsox

    1 year ago

    It seemed for a couple of years there he had the unenviable task of filling in some big Closers shoes replacing Mitch “Wild Thing” Williams in Philadelphia in 1994 and future (one time) all time saves leader and future Hall of Famer Lee Smith in Baltimore in 1995

    R.I.P. Doug

    Reply
  25. YankeesBleacherCreature

    1 year ago

    RIP Doug Jones. I’m sure I still have your baseball card somewhere.

    Reply
  26. skeebwilcox

    1 year ago

    Great closer. Will be missed. Prayers for the family that remain.

    Now, about him having played for the Pirates…

    Reply
  27. Jim Sinicki 2

    1 year ago

    One of the best mustaches in the game.

    Reply
  28. UWPSUPERFAN77

    1 year ago

    Ditto prayers for family. I grew up with this guy! He is 3 years younger than me! Makes me feel old!

    Reply
  29. OIC2021

    1 year ago

    “Special Delivery” Jones was a real bright spot on some lousy Indians teams (yes they were the Indians in the late ‘80s so don’t say Guardians).
    His change up was awesome and he threw it at 3 different speeds- slow, slower, and slowest.
    RIP

    Reply
  30. joew

    1 year ago

    Don’t think he ever played for the pirates

    Reply
  31. toycannon

    1 year ago

    Bill Virdon passed away today and is also deserving of an article here.

    Reply
    • Ron Tingley

      1 year ago

      Shout out to Bill!!

      Reply
  32. AstrosWS20

    1 year ago

    RIP. Great memories of him. Good player.

    Reply

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