Former MLB pitcher Randy Jones, who won the National League Cy Young Award in 1976 and became a cornerstone of the San Diego Padres, has passed away at the age of 75.
Jones made his MLB debut with the Padres in 1973 and quickly impressed with a 3.16 ERA in 20 appearances, including 19 starts. After going 8-22 in his second season, he rebounded with an NL-leading 2.24 ERA in 1975, earning an All-Star nod and finishing second in the Cy Young Award vote behind Tom Seaver.
The following season, he delivered an outstanding performance, racking up an MLB-leading 315.1 innings, while maintaining a 2.74 ERA. His 25 complete games and 1.03 WHIP were dominant, and his 22 wins led the majors, enough to secure the Cy Young Award over Jerry Koosman, Don Sutton, Steve Carlton, and even Seaver. Despite these accolades, he faced challenges, including an injury in his final game of that season that affected his later performance.
Although Jones was not known for strikeouts, with only 93 in his Cy Young-winning season and a career high of 124 in 1974, he remains the only pitcher to win the Cy Young but have a losing career record. He was also recognized for his contributions to the Padres, helping the expansion team become competitive during his tenure, which the team struggled through for much of his time with them.
Jones’ legacy continued after his playing days, as he was inducted into the Padres’ Hall of Fame and his No. 35 was retired in 1997. The Padres expressed their deep sorrow over his passing, noting his significant impact on the franchise and the community.