The team has announced that Randy Jones died on Tuesday, aged 75. He was a left-handed pitcher who won the Cy Young Award for the San Diego Padres, becoming the first to do so.
Jones played his first eight years of professional baseball in San Diego, where he became one of the toughest pitchers. He was drafted in 1972 and he made a rapid rise. He led the National League in 1975 with a 2.24 ERA, and won 20 matches. He had one of his most dominating seasons ever, with 25 wins and 22 complete games. In 1976, he won the NL Cy Young Award.
After completing his baseball career in New York, he stayed with San Diego Mets until 1980. Jones was a fixture of the San Diego Padres and Petco Park even after he retired.
In a press release, the team stated that the Padres “with deep sadness and heavy hearts” mourned the death of their beloved left-hander Randy Jones. “Pandy has been a part of the Padres for more than five decades. He was the first Padres pitching to receive the Cy Young Award.”
After being inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame, in 1999, the impact of his popularity and his influence on the team only increased. He became a fan favorite and an ambassador of the team. “Spending time with RJ, and discussing baseball or the world in general was an honor for anyone who had the good fortune to meet him.”
“Randy’s commitment to San Diego was unwavering. He loved the Padres and his family. “He was a legend in our history and lives,” continued the statement.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Marie Jones and his entire family at this time of sorrow. RJ is greatly missed.”
Jones was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2016. His wife Marie, his daughters Staci, Jami and several grandchildren survive him.
During the Padres’ run, Jones was 92-105, with a 3.30 ERA. He still holds records in terms of starts, completes games, shutouts, and innings. He was regarded as a pitching master by his peers. Merv Rettenmund said that he had never seen a pitcher better.
Annie Heilbrunn, a San Diego journalist, paid tribute to Randy Jones on X. She wrote, “Randy Jones is no longer with us.” Randy is a special man. Randy was always ready with a friendly word, a warm hug and some trash talk. Everyone laughed. All for #Padres. Will forever treasure the time we spent hosting Padres Social Hour and learning from him as we watched games. “The best.”
