Randy Jones, the southpaw who won the National League Cy Young Award in 1976, has died at age 75. His passing marks the end of an era for baseball fans and the San Diego Padres, who consider him a cornerstone of their franchise. Jones made his MLB debut with the Padres in 1973, where he quickly impressed with a 3.16 ERA in 20 appearances, 19 of them starts. His strong debut earned him recognition and set the stage for his future achievements in the sport.
His 1976 season was a defining moment in his career, as he led the National League with an ERA of 2.24, earning his first All-Star selection and finishing second in the Cy Young Award vote behind Tom Seaver. Jones’ performance was remarkable not only for his ERA but also for the 25 complete games he pitched, which placed him at the top of the majors. His 22 wins and 1.03 WHIP further underlined his dominance during that season, which culminated in his Cy Young Award win.
Despite his magical 1976 season, injuries began to take a toll on Jones’ performance. In his final game of that season, he suffered a nerve injury in his left arm, which affected his ability to recover his form. This led to a decline in his stats, with an ERA higher than 4.50 in three of his final six seasons. Despite this, Jones continued to contribute to the Padres, even as he joined the New York Mets for his final two seasons in 1981 and 1982.
Jones’ career was also defined by his unique pitching style. He was not known for striking out batters, with only 93 strikeouts in his Cy Young-winning season and a career best of 124 in 1974. He remains the only Cy Young Award winner with a losing career record. His career statistics, including four top-10 rankings in innings pitched, walks per nine innings, starts, and home runs per nine innings, further showcase his impact on the game.
The Padres’ statement expressing their grief over Jones’ passing emphasized the significant role he played in the team’s history. They noted his contributions as a Hall of Famer, community ambassador, and his lasting legacy as the one who put the expansion franchise on the map. His No. 35 jersey was retired in 1997, and he remains a symbol of the Padres’ early struggles and eventual success.