Jones Really Did The Job In 1992, Part 1

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Doug Jones. He was an excellent closer wherever he went. By the time Doug retired in 2000, he'd pitched for seven teams. Cleveland twice. Milwaukee, twice.

Jones seemed to be ready for the majors from the get-go of his professional career. The Milwaukee Brewers drafted him in 1978, and there was no doubt he wanted to pitch for them that season. After struggling a bit with Newark of the New York / Pennsylvania league, Doug arrived in Burlington for some work at the "A" level the next season. It seemed like he had it in him to relieve, but there was little wrong with Doug Jones as a starter, either. He went only 10-10, but posted a amazing 1.75 earned run average. That topped the Midwestern League and earned Jones a spot on the postseason All-Star Team.

And progress up the minors the young man did. In fact, Jones made it all the way to "AAA" in 1980, posting a 3-2 record with a 3.23 ERA with Vancouver. Doug seemed to be almost ready for big-league action. Earlier, at "AA" level, he went 5-3 with Holyoke and 6-2 with Stockton at "A" ball. His earned run average was less than three at both "AA" and "A" ball.

So was Doug Jones ready for prime time? Back with Vancouver in 1981, he probably was better off not at the Major League level. That year, a strike greatly shortened the season. Jones was still learning his craft. But he went 5-3 with Vancouver. That was the good news. He'd struggled that season a level below, however, posting a bad earned run average of 5.80 and going just 5-7 with El Paso.

But, the Milwaukee Brewers were a team ready for a World Series appearance the following year. They were also a team that gave a young pitcher a look-see. Doug Jones spent nine days in early April with the Brew Crew, but was hit hard to the tune of an ERA over ten. The rest of the 1982 season was spent with the Vancouver Canadians.  Although only 5-8, Jones posted an earned run average was 2.97.

At this point, it appears Doug Jones was too good for "AAA" action, but not quite good enough for Major League life. But just when it appeared that Doug was a step away, things went backwards. Two steps back. He was only able to make three appearances with the Canadians in 1983, and his ERA was over ten. Though he pitched better with El Paso, Doug Jones was now not good enough for the "AAA" level.

It stayed that way in 1984. ERA with Vancouver? Again, ten. Again, only three appearances. With El Paso, things were again better, 6-8. But Doug Jones earned run average there was over four. That's not enough to get you to the big league level. And first, he had to prove he belonged above "AA" ball.

Well, Milwaukee was through with chances. So Doug found himself without a job. But not for long. The Cleveland Indians singed him in 1985. It took a full season, but eventually, the now 28-year old took that all-important step in his baseball career.

The first hurdle of 1985 was for Doug Jones to prove he was too good for life at the "AA" level. With Waterbury of the Eastern League, Jones went 9-4 with a 3.65 ERA. That might not seem like much, but he relieved 38 times that year and recorded seven saves. It was the most Doug Jones had ever recorded at any level of professional baseball.

But Jones still needed to prove himself at the next level. "AAA". So, in 1986, with the Maine Guides of the International League ("AAA" ball), Doug Jones proved he was ready to leave it all behind. Although only 5-6, his earned run average was great (Jones topped the International League in that category, 2.09). And where was Doug Jones come September of that year? Still in the minors? Nope.

Jones got into eleven games for the Cleveland Indians. And boy, did Doug make the most of it! 1-0, a save (His first at the big league level), and a 2.50 earned run average. So, the only question left: Where would he be in 1987? Would it be another stint in the minors?

Well, there was a brief demotion for the pitcher, who was now closing in on 30. The year started with Cleveland. Doug was back in the minors four about two months. But, like in 1986, Jones now seemed too good for the minors. In 23 games with the Buffalo Bisons, he went 5-2 with a 2.04 earned run average. No surprisingly, the Indians recalled him in late June. Following two tough outings, the budding star made 40 appearances from July 2nd to October 4th. Doug's ERA in this stretch was virtually identical to what it had been with the Bisons, 2.05. He also went 6-4 with 8 saves and a hold.

Jones would say "Good bye" to minor league ball with that. At least for a while. It was not until 1991 that he'd pitch outside of the majors. Cleveland had found a closer in Doug Jones.

From 1988-1990, the Indians could depend on Jones to close. These really were his prime years. Although just 15-19, Doug saved 112 games and posted an earned run average of just 2.39. The good times seemed to hit a bump in the road in 1991, alas.

After five excellent outings that year, the wheels appeared to come off of Doug Jones' chariot. From April 24th to July 16th, Doug was having all sorts of troubles. His ERA in that stretch was 8.89, and his record was 1-7 with 5 blown saves. So a return to the minor leagues did happen.

With Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League ("AAA" Level), things got better. However, Doug didn't seem to be the same pitcher he'd been the last time he was at this level. He went 2-2, but his earned run average was just that, average. 3.28. Nothing truly outstanding.

Back in the big leagues come September, Doug was put in an odd spot by Cleveland. He was in the starting rotation. Surprisingly, he looked capable for a while. Jones' first three starts that month resulted in wins, putting his season record to 4-7. But a loss in his fourth start of the season on October 2nd meant it was back to the bullpen. There, Doug Jones got the save in the second last game of the season. It proved to be his last appearance in an Indians' uniform until 1998.

But it wasn't like Doug's career was over. Houston signed him for the 1992 season, and suddenly Jones had a new lease on life. But was the 34-year old past it?

No way.

Jones won a career-best eleven games in '92, and that's only half the story. He also appeared in 80 games, besting his previous career-high of 66 (Set in 1990). His job as a closer was his and only his. And the Astros were only to happy to allow him to do his thing. Houston had won just 65 games in 1991, but improved to exactly .500 with their new closer in 1992.

A look at Houston's starting rotation in 1992 shows no pitcher won more than ten games. But the bullpen did a masterful job of taking over from there. Doug Jones had two excellent pitchers setting him up in Joe Boever and Xavier Hernandez. Yet, Jones pitched just one fewer game than Boever, and he did the job when called on.

Doug finished 70 of his 80 appearances (88 percent). He was actually part of a bullpen that, as you can guess from the paragraph above, got plenty of action. But you'd think maybe Doug wouldn't quite have as many innings pitched as Joe Boever or Xavier Hernandez. The truth is, Jones ended up with 111 2/3 innings pitched. Boever had 111 1/3 and Hernandez 111. The three relievers would keep Houston in the ballgame. Hernandez finished 9-1, while Doug Jones had to settle for less of a winning percentage. Doug still won eleven, although he also lost eight.

Greatest Relief Seasons of All-Time Stat Set 1

Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Bernhard	1899	21	9	0.429	132.1	6	6
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Walsh	1904	18	10	0.556	110.2	6	3
Griffith	1905	25	17	0.680	101.2	9	6
Ferguson	1906	22	19	0.864	52.1	2	0
Keefe	1907	19	14	0.737	57.2	3	5
Chappelle	1908	13	6	0.462	70.1	2	4
Leever	1909	19	12	0.632	70.0	8	1
Dygert	1909	32	13	0.406	137.1	9	5
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Phillipe	1910	31	19	0.613	121.2	14	2
Benz	1911	12	4	0.333	55.2	3	2
Baskette	1912	29	18	0.621	116.0	8	4
Crandall	1913	35	27	0.771	97.2	4	4
Wolfgang	1914	24	12	0.500	119.1	9	5
Bressler	1914	29	15	0.517	147.2	10	4
Conzelman	1914	33	16	0.485	101.0	5	6
Mays	1915	38	27	0.711	131.2	6	5
Hughes	1916	40	19	0.475	161.0	16	3
Danforth	1917	50	26	0.520	173.0	11	6
Bender	1917	20	9	0.450	113.0	8	2
Coumbe	1917	34	15	0.441	134.1	8	6
Dubuc	1919	36	22	0.611	132.0	6	4
Luque	1919	30	9	0.300	106.0	10	3
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Morton	1921	30	15	0.500	107.2	8	3
Baumgartner	1925	37	9	0.243	113.1	6	3
Marberry	1926	64	47	0.734	138.0	12	7
Clark	1927	27	19	0.704	73.2	7	2
Haid	1928	27	14	0.519	47.0	2	2
Rommel	1929	32	15	0.469	113.2	12	2
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Lindsey	1931	35	19	0.543	74.2	6	4
Quinn	1932	39	29	0.744	64.1	5	4
Russell	1933	50	31	0.620	124.0	12	6
Malone	1936	35	25	0.714	134.2	12	4
Brown	1938	51	32	0.627	132.2	15	9
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Beggs	1940	37	27	0.730	76.2	12	3
Murphy	1941	35	31	0.886	77.1	8	3
Adams	1943	70	52	0.743	140.1	11	7
Heving	1944	63	38	0.603	119.2	8	3
Maltzberger	1944	46	41	0.891	91.1	10	5
Berry	1944	53	47	0.887	111.1	10	8
Karl	1945	67	41	0.612	180.2	8	8
Christopher	1947	44	38	0.864	80.2	10	7
Wilks	1948	57	27	0.474	130.2	6	6
Page	1949	60	48	0.800	135.1	13	8
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Konstanty	1950	74	62	0.838	152.0	16	7
Aloma	1951	25	11	0.440	69.1	6	0
Wilhelm	1952	71	32	0.451	159.1	15	3
Paige	1952	46	35	0.761	138.0	12	10
Kinder	1953	69	52	0.754	107.0	10	6
Mossi	1954	40	18	0.450	93.0	6	1
Sain	1954	45	39	0.867	77.0	6	6
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Narleski	1955	60	36	0.600	111.2	9	1
Craig	1955	24	4	0.167	90.2	5	3
Freeman	1956	64	47	0.734	108.2	14	5
Farrell	1957	52	32	0.615	83.1	10	2
Zuverink	1957	56	37	0.661	112.2	10	6
Hyde	1958	53	44	0.830	103.0	10	3
Duren	1959	41	29	0.707	76.2	3	6
Staley	1959	67	37	0.552	116.1	8	5
Face	1959	57	47	0.825	93.1	18	1
Henry	1959	65	36	0.554	134.1	9	8
Sherry	1959	23	10	0.435	94.1	7	2
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Brosnan	1960	57	27	0.474	99.0	7	2
McDaniel	1960	63	47	0.746	104.1	12	4
Arroyo	1961	65	54	0.831	119.0	15	5
Fox	1961	39	25	0.641	57.1	5	2
Radatz	1963	66	58	0.879	131.1	15	6
Perranoski	1963	69	47	0.681	129.0	16	3
Baldschum	1963	65	44	0.677	112.0	11	7
Lee	1964	64	39	0.609	137.0	6	5
Ellis	1964	52	32	0.615	122.1	10	3
Schultz	1964	30	22	0.733	49.1	1	3
D. Hall	1964	45	28	0.622	87.2	9	1
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Miller	1965	67	55	0.821	112.1	14	7
Regan	1966	65	48	0.738	116.2	14	1
Drabowsky	1967	43	26	0.605	95.1	7	5
Abernathy	1967	70	61	0.871	106.1	6	3
Wyatt	1967	60	43	0.717	93.1	10	7
Wood	1968	88	46	0.523	159.0	13	12
Segui	1968	52	24	0.462	83.0	6	5
V. Romo	1968	41	30	0.732	84.1	5	3
Tatum	1969	45	33	0.733	86.1	7	2
Watt	1969	56	41	0.732	71.0	5	2
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Williams	1970	68	36	0.529	113.1	10	1
McMahon	1970	61	44	0.721	94.1	9	5
Grant	1970	80	54	0.675	135.1	8	3
Richert	1970	50	25	0.500	54.2	7	2
Sanders	1971	83	77	0.928	136.1	7	12
Carroll	1971	61	40	0.656	93.2	10	4
Giusti	1972	54	44	0.815	74.2	7	4
Knowles	1972	54	29	0.537	65.2	5	1
Brewer	1972	51	41	0.804	78.1	8	7
Hiller	1973	65	60	0.923	125.1	10	5
Jackson	1973	43	33	0.767	80.1	8	0
Borbon	1973	80	36	0.450	121.0	11	4
Beene	1973	19	11	0.579	91.0	6	0
Marshall	1974	106	83	0.783	208.1	15	12
Gossage	1975	62	49	0.790	141.2	9	8
Hrabosky	1975	65	41	0.631	97.1	13	3
McEnaney	1975	70	38	0.543	91.0	5	3
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Eastwick	1976	71	59	0.831	107.2	11	5
Johnson	1977	71	54	0.761	146.2	16	7
Lyle	1977	72	60	0.833	137.0	13	5
Sutter	1977	62	48	0.774	107.1	7	3
Blair	1978	70	56	0.800	100.1	7	6
Stanley	1978	52	35	0.673	141.2	15	2
Lolich	1978	20	7	0.350	34.2	2	1
Tekulve	1979	94	67	0.713	134.1	10	8
Lopez	1979	61	49	0.803	127.0	10	5
R. Davis	1979	44	21	0.477	85.1	14	2
E. Romo	1979	84	25	0.298	129.1	10	5
Monge	1979	76	53	0.697	131.0	12	10
Sosa	1979	62	41	0.661	96.2	8	7
Palmer	1979	36	13	0.361	122.2	10	2
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
McGraw	1980	57	48	0.842	92.1	5	4
Garvin	1980	61	24	0.393	82.2	4	7
Fingers	1981	47	41	0.872	78.0	6	3
Caudill	1982	70	64	0.914	95.2	12	9
Reardon	1982	75	53	0.707	109.0	7	4
L. Smith	1983	66	56	0.848	103.1	4	10
Stewart	1983	54	25	0.463	135.0	10	4
Quisenberry	1983	69	62	0.899	139.0	5	3
Orosco	1983	62	42	0.677	110.0	13	7
Hernandez	1984	80	68	0.850	140.1	9	3
Lamp	1985	53	11	0.208	105.2	11	0
D. Smith	1985	64	46	0.719	79.1	9	5
Lahti	1985	52	31	0.596	68.1	5	2
Moore	1985	65	57	0.877	103.0	8	8
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Eichhorn	1986	69	38	0.551	157.0	14	6
Righetti	1986	74	68	0.919	106.2	8	8
Todd Worrell	1986	74	60	0.811	103.2	9	10
Henke	1987	72	62	0.861	94.0	0	6
Burke	1987	55	30	0.545	91.0	7	0
Daley	1987	53	29	0.547	61.0	9	5
Henneman	1988	65	51	0.785	91.1	9	6
Parrett	1988	61	34	0.557	91.2	12	4
Pena	1988	60	31	0.517	94.1	6	7
Lancaster	1989	42	15	0.357	72.2	4	2
Russell	1989	71	66	0.930	72.2	6	4
McDowell	1989	69	56	0.812	92.0	4	8
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Eckersley	1990	63	61	0.968	73.1	4	2
Thigpen	1990	77	73	0.948	88.2	4	6
Nelson	1990	51	17	0.333	74.2	3	3
Dibble	1990	68	29	0.426	98.0	8	3
Henry	1991	32	25	0.781	36.0	2	1
Aguilera	1991	63	60	0.952	69.0	4	5
Ward	1992	79	35	0.443	101.1	7	4
Rojas	1992	68	26	0.382	100.2	7	1
Olin	1992	72	62	0.861	88.1	8	5
D. Jones	1992	80	70	0.875	111.2	11	8
Wetteland	1993	70	58	0.829	85.1	9	3
Harvey	1993	59	54	0.915	69.0	1	5
Beck	1993	76	71	0.934	79.1	3	1
Martinez	1993	65	20	0.308	107.0	10	5
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Myers	1997	61	57	0.934	59.2	2	3
Hoffman	1998	66	61	0.924	73.0	4	2
Urbina	1998	64	59	0.922	69.1	6	3
Williamson	1999	62	40	0.645	93.1	12	7
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Rhodes	2001	71	16	0.225	68.0	8	0
Smoltz	2003	62	55	0.887	64.1	0	2
Tim Worrell	2003	76	64	0.842	78.1	4	4
Cormier	2003	65	21	0.323	84.2	8	0
Lidge	2004	80	44	0.550	94.2	6	5
Timlin	2005	81	27	0.333	80.1	7	3
Nathan	2006	64	61	0.953	68.1	7	0
Ryan	2006	65	57	0.877	72.1	2	2
Putz	2007	68	65	0.956	71.2	6	1
Rivera	2008	64	60	0.938	70.2	6	5
Jenks	2008	57	52	0.912	61.2	3	1
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Bell	2010	67	57	0.851	70.0	6	1
Soriano	2010	64	56	0.875	62.1	3	2
Aceves	2011	55	15	0.273	114.0	10	2
Axford	2011	74	63	0.851	73.2	2	2
Downs	2011	60	10	0.167	53.2	6	3
Cook	2012	71	23	0.324	73.1	6	2
Chapman	2012	68	52	0.765	71.2	5	5
Johnson	2012	71	63	0.887	68.2	2	1
Smyly	2013	63	9	0.143	76.0	6	0
Davis	2014	70	11	0.157	72.0	9	2
Clippard	2014	75	6	0.080	70.1	7	4
Rondon	2015	72	47	0.653	70.0	6	4
O'Day	2015	68	19	0.279	65.1	6	2
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Britton	2016	69	63	0.913	67.0	2	1
Osuna	2016	72	61	0.847	74.0	4	3
Brach	2016	71	16	0.225	79.0	10	4
Miller	2016	70	23	0.329	74.1	10	1
Robertson	2017	61	34	0.557	68.1	9	2
Jansen	2017	65	57	0.877	68.1	5	0
Albers	2017	63	23	0.365	61.0	7	2
Kimbrel	2017	51	67	0.761	69.0	5	0
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L
Morrow	2018	35	30	0.857	30.2	0	0
Trivino	2018	69	10	0.145	74.0	8	3
Treinen	2018	68	58	0.853	51.0	9	2
Jeffress	2018	73	24	0.329	76.2	8	1
Yarbrough	2018	38	3	0.079	147.1	16	6
Hader	2018	55	14	0.255	81.1	6	1
Strop	2018	60	20	0.333	59.2	6	1
Workman	2019	73	30	0.411	71.2	10	1
Robles	2019	71	51	0.718	72.2	5	1
Walden	2019	70	8	0.114	78.0	9	2
W.Smith	2019	63	52	0.825	65.1	6	0
Oberg	2019	49	18	0.367	56.0	6	1
Littell	2019	29	7	0.241	37.0	6	0
Whitlock	2021	46	11	0.239	73.1	8	4
Pitcher	Year	GP	GF	GF%	IP	W	L

Notes

Hughes appeared as a starter thirteen times.

Baumgartner and Bernhard appeared as a starter twelve times.

Wolfgang and Baskette appeared as a starter eleven times.

Craig and Coumbe appeared as a starter ten times.

Danforth, Malone, Stewart, Sherry, Luque and Conzelman appeared as a starter nine times.

Phillipe and Walsh appeared as a starter eight times.

Morton and Griffith appeared as a starter seven times.

Paige, Mays, Chappelle, Rommell and Yarbrough appeared as a starter six times.

Marberry, Mossi, Lee, Ellis and Dubuc appeared as a starter five times.

Leever, Aceves and Beene appeared as a starter four times.

Russell, Stanley, Adams and Keefe appeared as a starter three times.

Brown, McDaniel, Wood, Crandall, Brosnan, Lindsey, Karl, Wilks, Martinez, Clark and Lolich appeared as a starter two times.

Beggs, Quinn, Narleski, McGraw, Aloma, Robles, Ferguson, Vincente Romo, and Trivino appeared once as a starter.

Maltzberger, Hyde, Konstanty, Duren, Brosnan, Tekulve and Henke all wore glasses.

References

Riis, Richard. “Doug Jones.” Society for American Baseball Research, SABR, 23 Nov. 2021, https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/doug-jones/. 14 Jan. 2022.

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. https://www.baseball-reference.com/. 14 Jan. 2022.

Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/. 14 Jan. 2022.