Doug Jones RIP

[Randolphkeys]

Represented the Tribe three times in the All Star game, third in all time saves for the franchise. Honestly, if the team wasn't sub-par for most of his run with the franchise, he'd be #1 by far.

Loved old Doug Jones, a filthy junk baller who just knew how to beat the hitters without anything close to a fastball.

 

[2 For The Brew]

Made a really good career out of very limited talent. Did a hell of a job for the Tribe. Just an unassuming guy. Sad to see him pass away so young.

 

[Gson]

Made a really good career out of very limited talent. Did a hell of a job for the Tribe. Just an unassuming guy. Sad to see him pass away so young.

Doug Jones was directly responsible for nearly tripling the Tums consumption during his stay in our Tee Pee...

 

[2 For The Brew]

Doug Jones was directly responsible for nearly tripling the Tums consumption during his stay in our Tee Pee...

You ever see Victor Cruz try to save a game or Carmelo Castillo circle a fly ball?

 

[Randolphkeys]

Doug Jones was directly responsible for nearly tripling the Tums consumption during his stay in our Tee Pee...

I remember he fell apart his last season in Cleveland, which led to Jose Mesa being moved from starter to closer. Doug then went to the Astros and made the All Star game for the National League... and goddamn Mesa was on a collision course with fate for the biggest choke job in franchise history. Shoulda just kept Doug Jones!!

 

[2 For The Brew]

I remember he fell apart his last season in Cleveland, which led to Jose Mesa being moved from starter to closer. Doug then went to the Astros and made the All Star game for the National League... and goddamn Mesa was on a collision course with fate for the biggest choke job in franchise history. Shoulda just kept Doug Jones!!

Actually Jones lost the closer role to Steve Olin, who was tragically killed in the boat accident. We then had a closer by committee including Eric Plunk for 1993. Mesa had two saves in 1994 before he broke out in 1995.

Losing Olin was devastating because we also lost Wickander and Ojeda who were messed up after the tragedy and Tim Crews also was killed in the accident. Four guys out of the bullpen really hurt in 1995.

Still a very sad memory.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Actually Jones lost the closer role to Steve Olin, who was tragically killed in the boat accident. We then had a closer by committee including Eric Plunk for 1993. Mesa had two saves in 1994 before he broke out in 1995.

Losing Olin was devastating because we also lost Wickander and Ojeda who were messed up after the tragedy and Tim Crews also was killed in the accident. Four guys out of the bullpen really hurt in 1995.

Still a very sad memory.

I definitely forgot the Steve Olin factor. I just remembered watching that 1993 All Star game, I think Albert Belle went yard, and seeing Doug Jones in the bullpen thinking "Why the hell isn't he with the Tribe again?"

 

[2 For The Brew]

I definitely forgot the Steve Olin factor. I just remembered watching that 1993 All Star game, I think Albert Belle went yard, and seeing Doug Jones in the bullpen thinking "Why the hell isn't he with the Tribe again?"

Steve Olin was a tremendous relief pitching with the slinging sidearm delivery.

I distinctly remember the alarm going off and hearing the network news on 3WE where they mention an accident in MLB that killed two players. My first thought was "Oh no, has to be Cleveland, we're snakebit" - then realized how stupid that thought was. Then the local program came on and I heard what happened. Ojeda didn't come back - too many ghosts. Kevin Wickander couldn't stay in Cleveland - psychologically wrecked.

Don't remember the 1993 ASG though - was he Albert or still Joey? Inquiring minds want to know.

I went to the last game at Municipal Stadium. Naturally, the White Sox swept the series. Our only moment to cheer was when we walked the Big Hurt with runners on late in the game so he couldn't beat Albert for the RBI title. I had season tickets in 1994 BUT was sent to Germany for six months so I missed Opening Day and the early part of the season, came home to start going to the Jake in early August with the Tribe only a game out and an easy schedule remaining -- RIGHT when the strike hit.

 

[col63onel]

He actually came back in 98 for half a season an pitched pretty well in a set up role.

You always think of traditional closers as having a really good fastball that can occasionally hit triple digits. Jones is one of the few closers whose best pitch was his change-up.