Five-Time MLB All-Star Doug Jones Has Died

Jones pitched for seven teams during an impressive 16-year career.

Doug Jones, a five-time All-Star who pitched from 1982 until 2000, has died. He was 64 years old.

Greg Swindell, Jones's teammate with Cleveland from 1986–91 and again in Houston in 1993, broke the news this afternoon via Twitter. He says that complications stemming from COVID-19 are to blame.

Sad to tweet, that a long time friend, teammate, husband father grandfather and one hell of a pitcher Doug Jones has passed from complications from COVID.
RIP JONSEY. Please keep the family in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/4hoWRjYt0e

— greg swindell (@GregSwindell) November 22, 2021

Cleveland confirmed his passing later in the afternoon. Jones remains one of the franchise's best relief pitchers, setting multiple franchise save records during his first stint with the team. He remained the team's all-time saves leader with 129 until the mark was broken by Bob Wickman in 2006. 

At the time of his retirement in 2000, he ranked 12th in MLB history with 303 career saves.

We are saddened by the loss of one of our orgs all-time greats, Doug Jones.

His 129 saves is 3rd in franchise history. He was a member of the club’s Top 100 roster, celebrated in 2001. He enjoyed 16 big league seasons, 7 in Cleveland (1986-1991, 98) including 3X as an All-Star. pic.twitter.com/aRYuBDPVNr

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) November 22, 2021

Jones began his career in 1982, when he made four appearances with the Brewers. Four seasons later, he debuted for Cleveland. 

He'd return to both teams later in his career, with Milwaukee from 1996–98, before being traded back to Cleveland midway through the '98 season.  

Jones also pitched for the Astros (1992–93), Phillies ('94), Orioles ('95), Cubs ('96), and Athletics (1999–2000). He made the All-Star Game with Cleveland each year from 1988–90, and with Houston in '92 and Philadelphia in '94.

He finished his MLB career with a 3.30 ERA and 909 strikeouts to just 247 walks in 1,128.1  innings pitched.

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