The legendary San Diego Padres pitcher Randy Jones has died at the age of 75. His loss is deeply felt by the organization and fans in general. He was a beloved legend on and off the field. He became an important figure in the community.
Jones was selected by San Diego in 1972 and remained a key part of the roster for eight years. His arm was considered one of the most dominant in MLB in the 1970s. It is no wonder that he led the National League in 1975 with a 2.24 ERA, as well as achieving 20 wins.
In 1976, the pitcher produced one of the best pitching seasons in Padres history. He pitched 25 complete games, won 22 and won the National League Cy Young Award. Just when it seemed he would finish his career in San Diego, Jones moved to the New York Mets in 1980 and retired in 1982.
He posted a 92-105 record with a 3.30 ERA during his time with the Padres. His resume also includes being the franchise’s all-time leader in starts, complete games, shutouts and innings pitched.
Merv Rettenmund, a former teammate who also played alongside Hall of Famers such as Jim Palmer and Nolan Ryan, defined Jones as an “outlier” when he was in tune with the physical, mental and athletic.
When he was at his best, I never saw a better pitcher
For a man who was admired and revered for his pitching in the 1970s, the only unfinished business was winning a World Series. The might of the Oakland Athletics, Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees at that time was overwhelming. But even without that title, the pitcher shone brightly.
Symbol of identity and belonging
While he played with the Padres, Randy Jones endeared himself to the people with his pitching and his off-field demeanor. He was one of them, an ordinary individual who felt part of the city despite being born in Fullerton. He lived in North County and was a fixture at Petco Park for many years until his death.
Randy was a cornerstone of our franchise for more than five decades, excelling as the Padres’ first Cy Young Award-winning pitcher. Inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame in 1999, his impact and popularity only grew after his playing career, becoming an extraordinary ambassador for the team and a true fan favorite
Annie Heilbrunn, a San Diego reporter, had the pleasure of working with him. In addition to appreciating him as an emblem of the organization and as an individual who was always kind to the fans, she valued him as a work colleague. In this sense, the legend knew how to maintain a good relationship with the press.
Randy Jones has passed away. Those who know Randy know how special he was. Always with a kind word, a hug and a joke. He made everyone laugh. He gave everything for the Padres. I will always treasure our time driving Padres Social Hour and what I learned from him while we watched the games. The best.
The shadow of smoking
Jones was distinguished by chewing tobacco during his playing days. He was a compulsive smoker, and the cigarette accompanied him throughout his life. In 2016, he was diagnosed with throat cancer as a result of smoking. He received treatment to combat it and eventually overcame it.
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