Randy Jones, who won a Cy Young Award with the San Diego Padres before finishing his career with the Mets, died Tuesday at age 75.
His death was announced Wednesday by the Padres, who remembered the former left-hander as “a giant in our lives and our franchise history.”
“His impact and popularity only grew in his post-playing career, becoming a tremendous ambassador for the team and a true fan favorite,” the Padres said in a statement. “Crossing paths with RJ and talking baseball or life was a joy for everyone fortunate enough to spend time with him. Randy was committed to San Diego, the Padres, and his family.”
A cause of death was not released for Jones, who went 100-123 with a 3.42 ERA over 10 MLB seasons from 1973-82.
Jones spent the first eight of those seasons with the Padres, during which he delivered a two-year peak that rivaled any pitcher of his era.
Former San Diego Padre Randy Jones throws a ceremonial first pitch prior to the 87th Annual MLB All-Star Game at PETCO Park on July 12, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)
In 1975, Jones went 20-12 with a 2.24 ERA over 285.0 innings. But Jones finished second in National League Cy Young Award voting that year behind the Mets’ Tom Seaver, who went 22-9 with a 2.38 ERA in 280.1 innings.
In 1976, Jones won the NL Cy Young Award after going 22-9 with a 2.74 ERA over 315.1 innings, which spanned 40 starts. Jones led the majors in innings and complete games (25) that season, and he tied for the most wins.
Jones became the first Cy Young winner in Padres history. The Mets’ Jerry Koosman (21-10, 2.69 ERA) was the runner-up that year.
Those proved to be the only seasons in which Jones was named an All-Star or received Cy Young votes.
He spent his final two seasons with the Mets from 1981-82 and went a combined 8-18 with a 4.69 ERA over 41 appearances, including 32 starts.
FILE – Former San Diego Padres pitcher Randy Jones, left, laughs while talking with manager Pat Murphy prior to a baseball against the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Diego on June 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File)
Jones was inducted into the Padres’ Hall of Fame in 1999.
“Rest in peace, RJ. I’m gonna miss the hell out of you man,” wrote Tony Gwynn Jr., the son of late Padres great Tony Gwynn and now a broadcaster for the team’s radio network.
“It didn’t matter what kind of day I was having, you always seem to bring a smile on my face. Let’s all keep his lovely wife Marie and the entire Jones family in our prayers.”