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.
F Covid
RIP Doug Jones
RIP.
RIP Jones
Thoughts and prayers.
I stopped dinner just to say a prayer
Well done sir…my condolences as well..
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.
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.
Beck literally lived in a trailer down by the river…
RIP Doug Jones. I remember the old baseball card of him where he’s holding the ball and its on fire.
That was the first image that popped into my head as well
Studio 1993, I think?
Older. 1990 Score maybe?
If its Topps or Score, I might actually have it..somewhere.
1991 Score Dream Team
I remember that well too. Solid closer.
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.
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
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.
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.
Maddux would of made it, just look at Kyle Hendricks for an example.
Good pitchers find a way.
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.
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.
RIP
Prayinggg
Why?
For his family and loved ones who are hurting right now?
Doug had three speeds – slow, slower, slowest. It was fun to watch his mastery of the change.
I remember watching a game and the announcers said that.
He was a closer without traditional closer stuff. I enjoyed watching him.
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…
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.
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!
RIP old school legend of epic facial hair *pours out beer*
paved the way for legends like Rod Beck.
You just don’t see epic staches like that anymore and this makes me sad in an old man sad way.
Very good pitcher. RIP
That’s too bad
Did a SOLID job with the Stros.
Rest easily, Doug.
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
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
RIP Doug Jones. I’m sure I still have your baseball card somewhere.
Great closer. Will be missed. Prayers for the family that remain.
Now, about him having played for the Pirates…
One of the best mustaches in the game.
Ditto prayers for family. I grew up with this guy! He is 3 years younger than me! Makes me feel old!
“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
Don’t think he ever played for the pirates
Bill Virdon passed away today and is also deserving of an article here.
Shout out to Bill!!
RIP. Great memories of him. Good player.