Big League Chatter

There are thirty closers in the Major Leagues at the beginning of each season.  Chances are at the end of the season one-third of the original closers will no longer be in that position.  It is impressive to see a closer retain his job year after year.  Todd Jones is one of those guys who has been on top of the mountain, leading the American League in saves with 42 in 2000, and has also been in the depths of the sea barely hanging on in the Majors in 2003.  Jones doesn’t have electric stuff but he has been a reliable relief pitcher for most of his career and that’s why we salute Todd Jones of the Detroit Tigers.

Todd Jones was born April 24th, 1968 in Marietta, Georgia.  Jones attended Osborne High School in Marietta and went on to attend Jacksonville State University in Alabama.  Todd was drafted by the Houston Astros in the first round of the 1989 Major League draft.  Jones started his career for the Astros in 1993 going 1-2 with 2 saves, 28 holds, while posting a 3.13 ERA in 37.1 innings.  He got his first shot as a full-time closer in 1997 for the Detroit Tigers.  Jones saved 31 games for the Tigers that year while posting  a 3.09 ERA in 70 innings.  Jones’ best season was in 2000.  He was chosen to be a member of the American League All-Star Team and was named the "Rolaid’s Reliever of the Year" by saving 42 games.  The Tigers even sold a t-shirt that said, "Only the Lord saves more than Todd Jones."  Todd went on to save 142 games for Detroit from 1997-2001 before being traded to the Twins.  Jones floated from team to team from 2001 till 2005 playing for the Rockies, Red Sox, Reds, and Phillies before landing in Florida in 2005.  Todd replaced Antonio Alfonseca as the Marlins closer after Alfonseca succumbed to injury.  Jones revived his career as a closer by saving 40 games posting a 2.10 ERA in 73 innings for the Marlins.  After the 2005 season Todd was viewed as a valuable commodity again and was signed by his former team the Detroit Tigers to a two-year contract.  Jones’ Tigers came out of nowhere in 2006 to win the American League pennant before losing to the Cardinals in the World Series.  During the 2006 season Jones became the Tigers all-time saves leader passing former Tiger great Mike Henneman.  Todd saved 37 games for Detroit in 2006 while posting a 3.94 ERA in 64 innings.  On September 16th, 2007 Jones became the 21st member of the 300-save club by tying Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter. 

Todd Jones will never be remembered as a dominant closer, in fact many refer to him as "the roller coaster" for his close calls in the ninth inning.  But he always seems to get the job done no matter what situation presents itself.  Todd has never been one to receive high accolades from the media.  But looking at his total body of work it is easy to see that he has had a nice career.  Jones is known for more than being a successful closer in the Major Leagues.  He writes a weekly column entitled "The Closer" for the Sporting News.  Todd is also a devout Christian and is outspoken about his beliefs.  Jones isn’t flashy but he gets the job done and he is one of the really good guys in baseball on and off the field.  That is why we salute Todd Jones of the Detroit Tigers