Happy 70th birthday to Padres’ legend Randy Jones
Credit: USA Today Sports
Today is the 70th birthday of San Diego Padres’ legend Randy Jones. We wish him the best as he much loved among Padres fans.
Happy 70th birthday to one of the best to ever put on a San Diego Padres uniform, Randy Jones.
The Padres drafted the left-hander in the 5th round of the 1972 draft.
He made his debut in 1973, winning seven games with a 3.16 ERA, with an ERA+ of 110.
In 1974, things didn’t look good for the young lefty. He led the entire MLB with 22 losses and a 4.45 ERA in 40 games, 34 of them starts.
As Jones has time and time again on and off the field, he battled back and rebounded nicely. His 1975 season was one of the best by a Padres pitcher ever. Jones won 20 games with a National League-best 2.24 ERA in 36 starts and 156 ERA+, both career-bests as well. He earned his first All-Star selection and finished second in Cy Young voting (we will forgive him for losing to Hall of Famer Tom Seaver).
In 1976, however, the pitcher would not be denied. He won a career-high 22 games in a Major League-high 40 starts with an astounding 25 complete games (that’s how many Clayton Kershaw has in his 10-year career). With a 2.74 ERA and 315 innings to boot, Randy Jones won the NL Cy Young. He also earned his second consecutive All-Star appearance. That season, the hurler also set the single-season record for most fielding chances by a pitcher without an error.
Jones pitched for the Padres until 1980. In those eight seasons, he had four 11+ win seasons, five seasons with at least 34 starts and over 200 innings, and four seasons over 100 ERA+ (meaning he was an above-average pitcher for those years).
After the 1980 season, Jones was traded to the New York Mets. He never quite reached the numbers he did in San Diego. His last season was in 1982 when the pitcher won seven games and recorded a 4.60 ERA. Randy Jones finished his career with an even 100 wins.
The lefty had his number 35 retired by the Padres in 1997.
He still lives in San Diego and joins the Padres radio team from time to time on the air. Jones is seen in and about the ballpark and always open to talk to the fans. He is fully invested in his community. And well-loved. Happy Birthday, RJ.
Originally written by Nick Lee
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.
Love to remember that curve ball – you’re one of the greatest Padres Randy!