The baseball world is mourning the loss of Randy Jones, the celebrated left-handed pitcher who captured the Cy Young Award with the San Diego Padres in 1976. Jones passed away at 75 years old, as confirmed by the Padres organization.
A Distinguished Baseball Career
Randy Jones died on Tuesday, though the team did not disclose the location or specific cause of death when making the announcement on Wednesday. The pitcher enjoyed a remarkable 10-year major league career that spanned from 1972 to 1982, spending eight seasons with the Padres and two with the New York Mets.
His career statistics reflect both his durability and skill: 100-123 record with a 3.42 ERA. Jones remains the Padres' franchise leader in several categories, including 253 starts, 71 complete games, 18 shutouts, and 1,766 innings pitched.
Peak Performance Years
Jones reached the pinnacle of his career during the 1975 and 1976 seasons, establishing himself as one of baseball's elite pitchers. He earned two All-Star selections and made history by becoming the first Padres player to win the Cy Young Award since the team's inception as an expansion franchise in 1969.
In 1975, Jones finished second in Cy Young voting behind Tom Seaver after posting a 20-12 record with an NL-leading 2.24 ERA for a San Diego team that managed only 71 wins. The following season, he claimed the award with 22 victories for a 73-win team, pitching 315 1/3 innings over 40 starts with 25 complete games - all major league highs that year.
His popularity soared during this period, with the Padres experiencing significant attendance boosts whenever he took the mound. Fans connected with his everyman persona and resourceful pitching style, and his fame reached national recognition with a Sports Illustrated cover feature.
Legacy and Later Years
Jones showcased his talent on the All-Star stage as well, earning the save in the 1975 All-Star Game and securing the victory for the National League in 1976. Unfortunately, he never fully regained his dominant form after suffering an arm injury during his final start of the 1976 season, though he continued as a major league starter through 1982 with the Mets.
Known as "The Junkman," Jones built his success on deception and control rather than velocity, specializing in ground balls. His career numbers reflect a different era of baseball: 285 starts and 1,933 career innings with only 735 strikeouts, including a remarkably low 93 strikeouts during his Cy Young season.
The Padres organization released a heartfelt statement honoring their legendary pitcher: "Randy was a cornerstone of our franchise for over five decades. His impact and popularity only grew in his post-playing career, becoming a tremendous ambassador for the team and a true fan favorite."
After his playing days, Jones remained connected to San Diego, becoming a visible presence at games and community events. He even operated a barbecue restaurant that originally opened at Qualcomm Stadium before moving to Petco Park with the team.
In 2017, Jones revealed he had been diagnosed with throat cancer, which he attributed to his longtime use of chewing tobacco. He announced he was cancer-free the following year. The Padres retired his No. 35 jersey in 1997, and he was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 1999.
