Doug Jones – Cause of Death – Doug Jones, 64-year-old, a former relief pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians (formerly the Cleveland Indians), passed away due to COVID-19-related complications on Monday, November 22, 2021. He was elected to the American League All-Star team three times (1988, 1989, and 1990) and to the National League All-Star team twice (1992 and 1994). He was the oldest player in the majors in 2000 at the age of 43. The news of his death was announced by the Cleveland Guardians on their official page on Facebook, They express their sadness over the death of their organization All-Time Relief Pitcher. “We are saddened by the loss of one of our organization’s all-time greats, relief pitcher Doug Jones.”
He was born on June 24, 1957, in Covina, California, the U.S. He attended Central Arizona College, He was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the third round of the January phase of the 1978 MLB draft. He spent seven years in their minor league system. In 1982 he had his only major league experience with the Brewers took place in just four games. He was released after the 1984 season, and he signed with the Indians. He became the Indians’ full-time closer by 1988, breaking the Indians’ record for saves in a season with 37. He held the Indians’ all-time record for saves with 129 until Bob Wickman broke it on May 7, 2006.
He was signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros before the 1992 season. Jones and Jeff Juden were traded by Astros to the Philadelphia Phillies for Mitch Williams after the 1993 season. He became a free agent after the 1994 season, he signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He threw an immaculate inning during a save on September 23, 1997, by striking out Johnny Damon, Scott Cooper, and Rod Myers of the Kansas City Royals. On December 7, 2000, he announced his retirement. His 303 career saves ranked 12th in major league history upon his retirement, and his 846 career appearances ranked 21st. A changeup specialist, he was known for keeping hitters off balance by throwing extremely slow pitches. He threw a two-seam fastball that topped out in the low-to-mid 80s and a knuckle-curve on occasion. He coached Pusch Ridge Christian Academy to Arizona 2A High School Championship in 2009. In the early 2010s, he was the pitching coach for San Diego Christian College. He was named pitching coach for the Boise Hawks, a minor league affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. on January 22, 2015.
The tribute on Facebook by Cleveland Guardians read, “We are saddened by the loss of one of our organization’s all-time greats, relief pitcher Doug Jones. Doug ranked third in career saves in a Cleveland uniform with 129 and was a member of the club’s Top 100 roster, celebrated during the franchise’s 100th Year Anniversary in 2001. He enjoyed a 16-year big-league career, spending 7 in Cleveland as a 3X All-Star (1986-1991, 1998).”
Doug Jones’s obituary will be organized by the family.