It’s really not all that surprising, but Todd Jones has announced his retirement. This was likely to be Jones last season regardless, but the injury and resulting ineffectiveness likely sealed the deal.
Jones is the Tigers all time saves leader and his 319 career saves places him 14th in the history of the game.
I’m hoping that he joins the team this weekend and that he can be honored in some way. He deserves to go out to cheers instead of the cavalcade of boos he was serenaded with his last time on the mound.
Congrats on a great career Jonesy.
There’s no way around it: Jonesy did a hell of a job as the Tigers’ closer. His teammates could do a lot worse than following his example of doing more with less. Best wishes, Rollercoaster!
Vaya Con Dios, Jonesie. Thanks for 319 good, if frightening, memories. Hope to see ya this Sunday!
The funny thing is, tough-minded though he may be, I never saw him as having the personality of a closer–there’s something too humble (I mean that in the good sense of the word) and, I don’t know, earnest, about the guy. None of the cocky confidence or agressive, intimidating way about him…I wonder how he would have done as a starting pitcher?
When you say “closer” the mental picture I still get is Eckersley, with his long hair and tight pants (just seeing if you’re awake) and gunfighter way of squinting one eye when he pitched, and his “let’s make this quick, they’re all gonna be strikes, you might as well swing” way of working (which I’m sure for fans of both teams was attractive after going through the LaRussa “OK, for this batter I’m gonna bring in a lefty, then the fastball righty for the next guy, and then the sinker righty for the guy after” 7th and 8th innings…)
Jonesy always seemed to be…I don’t know, TRYING (in much the same way Kitna quarterbacks actually). Which is something the team could sure use about right now!
Ryan: “Thanks for 319 good, if frightening, memories.”
Actually I miss the suspense of the Roller-Coaster save. As opposed to the inevitable certainty of doom the current bullpen inspires…now it’s more like a Sky Dive with a broken chute…
He’ll be missed, both on the bump and as a quote.
Here’s to hoping he takes Jim Price’s spot in the booth!
Not that there isn’t potential with the bullpen arms the Tigers have right now, but I think getting 2 established quality bullpen guys from the outside – most importantly a closer – by hook or crook, whether they have to beg, steal, or borrow, no matter who they have to trade (aside from Verlander, Granderson, and Cabrera), has got to be Job #1 for the offseason, outweighing any concern about starters, SS, 3B, or C.
I could live with Renteria’s expensive mediocrity, Inge’s bad and getting worse bat, Ryan’s growing pains, and even Sheffield’s expensive lack of production. The bullpen since the break has almost single-handedly dragged the Tigers from mediocrity down to laughingstock.
Loony: It is rare that I disagree with you, but this time I must. Don’t break the piggy bank for a reliever from the outside. Bad business. They could come back with the same group and have the best bullpen in the league for all we know. It happens. Look at Cleveland. ’06 = Crapapalooza, ’07 = same guys, lights out.
Oh goodness, it is true Smoking Loon, isn’t it? The Tigers are the laughing stock of the AL. Ouch.
Sorry to see him go, it was time of course. And he deserves recognition from the team and the fans this weekend.
I second the idea of putting him in the booth to replace Jim Price. I’d be glad to see him take over that role tonight.
Jonesy is a good guy, and certainly entertained us here mightily in the late innings these last few years.
Well done Todd!
Saddest Season Ever.
thanks jonesy, i always enjoyed the ride. i don’t know if you have decided to just go home, enjoy your family and do some fishing (god knows i do enough of that in my retirement) however something tells me that with your patience and positive outlook you might make a pretty good pitching coach.
cheers anyway you go
My personal favorite Todd Jones moment: every time he would pull out his little notepad with the scouting reports written down while he was on the mound. High comedy.
Yes, pulling out his notebook. I’d forgotten about that. He could see the handwriting on the wall and did the right thing. But it still makes me sad because he was part of the ’06 team that we loved so much.
Rollercoasters, they can be fun, exciting, the can make you sick and make you scream, they even give people heart attacks and kill them. Some people like them, some people hate them, but its always sad to see one go. Thank Jonesy for all the ups and downs. It was fun, except for when it wasn’t. Happy retirement.
“They could come back with the same group and have the best bullpen in the league for all we know.”
I know that’s right, Chris. That’s the rub. It (the bullpen solution) is a question I’ll vacillate on right up till the Tigers have made their choice. Then I’ll try not to second guess, because it’s not an easy call.
I still think a great closer, at the least, would be worth shelling out some money or some players for. The bank might already be broken.
His comments do seem somewhat depressing, whether or not they were in jest. I can only feel bad for him for so long before my lingering hatred for him and his bevy of blown saves rears its ugly head again.
Enjoy retirement and good riddance.
Now if we can just get rid of Farnsworth…
love ya todd. TOO BAD LEYLAND DOESNT RETIRE
This season is just so Detroit, is all I’m saying.
The problem with just going out and getting bullpen help from outside is that everybody else wants bullpen help too. Hopefully we’ll get lucky!
“Ryan: “Thanks for 319 good, if frightening, memories.”
Actually I miss the suspense of the Roller-Coaster save. ”
Me too..
It meant we had a lead late in the game….
“It meant we had a lead late in the game….”
That’s a good point.
Thanks for the memories Jones. I will never forget the Magglio impression during the rain delay. That may be the highlight of your career for me. It was always an adventure.
Todd Jones pays tribute to himself on the DTW! Dude, isn’t the Sporting News column enough? Retire already.