Ronald Glen Jones (June 11, 1964 – June 4, 2006) was a professional baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He displayed great promise as a hitter, but his career was spoiled by two severe knee injuries.
| Ron Jones | |
|---|---|
| Right Fielder | |
| Born: June 11, 1964 Seguin, Texas, U.S. | |
| Died: June 4, 2006 (aged 41) Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 26, 1988, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 6, 1991, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .272 |
| Home runs | 13 |
| Runs batted in | 40 |
| CPBL statistics | |
| Batting average | .285 |
| Home runs | 18 |
| Runs batted in | 75 |
| Teams | |
Life and career
editBorn in Seguin, Texas, Jones was drafted in 1982 and 1983 but chose not to turn professional. Eventually, in 1984, he signed with the Phillies as a free agent. The stocky outfielder battled some problems with weight and injuries, but he displayed great hitting talent in the farm system. His ability at the plate and capable defense eventually earned him a spot with the big league club. However, after a promising first couple of months in August and September 1988, in April 1989 Jones suffered the first of two torn patellar tendons. The other, to his opposite knee, came in June 1990. Jones also came back from that injury; however, his time in the majors was all but finished. Nonetheless, he continued in the minors, Mexico, Taiwan, independent baseball leagues, and semi-pro ball through 2000.
Upon retirement, Jones began working as a hitting instructor and coach for youths, eventually forming the Big League Batting Academy in Houston, Texas, alongside another former major leaguer, Charlie Hayes. In June 2006, after Jones did not show up at the academy for a few days, he was found dead in his home. He is thought to have died of either an aneurysm, heart attack, or stroke.[1]
References
edit- ^ Hagen, Paul (August 28, 2015). "Charlie Hayes and Ron Jones had tight bond". MLB.com.
External links
edit- Career statistics from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- SABR BioProject
- Big League Baseball Academy
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