Todd Jones is retiring from the Tigers (1 Viewer)

[Futz]

Has there been a more productive month in Detroit's history?

Todd Jones has closed his last game in Major League Baseball

ESPN

The former Tigers closer wrote in his Sporting News column that he plans to announce his retirement after this season.

So this is it," Jones wrote in this week's magazine. "If you're a Tigers fan, I'll never stress you out again. If you're not a Tigers fan, you'll never have me as your ace in the hole, convinced I'll blow a lead against your team."

Jones was injured for much of the second half of this season and he revealed to the Sporting News that he was pitching with a frayed labrum.

Jones is 4-1 with a 4.97 ERA and 18 saves in 21 chances this season. He started the season as Detroit's closer, but was removed from that role July 26.

He will retire as the Tigers' career leader in saves with 235. He has 319 career saves 16 seasons with Detroit, Houston, Minnesota, Colorado, Boston, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Florida.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Nice guy & the perfect mindset for a closer. Too bad he couldn't pitch.

 

[Futz]

Nice guy & the perfect mindset for a closer. Too bad he couldn't pitch.

I agree with you. He's a good guy but he was a bit too sensitive and his pitching reflected that.

 

[Keerock]

a) Thank God!

b) I'll catch some flack for this, but I think Robertson would make a good closer... even though he's a lefty.

 

[Mark Davis]

As shaky as he was, he made a remarkable comeback for a guy sitting at home in Pell City, AL out of baseball and begging for a spring invite from the Reds and Rays just a few years ago. He managed to get a few more respectable years in. He used to do a segment here on the radio from time to time and talked about how he wanted to carry his son to Cooperstown to an induction one day. Said he would like to go for Bagwell's but said no way he would go to see Biggio.

 

[Eephus]

A long career, 319 career SVs and a better pension than anybody on this board. Jones may be a homophobe but nobody can say he didn't have a sense of humor.

 

[tangfoot]

"If you don't like it when I come into the game, get up and go fix yourself a sandwich. In fifteen minutes it will all be over, either way."

I'm paraphrasing here, but this is the best quote I ever heard from him.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

a) Thank God!b) I'll catch some flack for this, but I think Robertson would make a good closer... even though he's a lefty.

How about Willis, maybe the pen would clear his nerves.

 

[Futz]

b) I'll catch some flack for this, but I think Robertson would make a good closer... even though he's a lefty.

I believe I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. A closer needs a little more than just one pitch which happens to be a poorly placed 90 mph fastball.

 

[Clifton]

Worst day in the history of Detroit sports?

 

[Futz]

Worst day in the history of Detroit sports?

Uhhhh....

 

[Keerock]

b) I'll catch some flack for this, but I think Robertson would make a good closer... even though he's a lefty.

I believe I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. A closer needs a little more than just one pitch which happens to be a poorly placed 90 mph fastball.

I think he could be converted. He's got the 'bulldog' mentality. Most closers have only one pitch... (well, plus a changeup)

 

[Kal El]

a) Thank God!b) I'll catch some flack for this, but I think Robertson would make a good closer... even though he's a lefty.

I think Zumaya could do good in the role if he'd stay off of the DL. But Robertson does at least look like a closer, and he may be the thing we need there.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Worst day in the history of Detroit sports?

Millen + Jones = JACKPOT

 

[Dexter]

Even though Todd Jones got a lot of grief for his pitching he still closed 87% of his SVO.

In that same time F Rod closed 90% and Rivera 91%

He was a lot better pitcher than people gave him credit for. And Detroit will miss him in the bullpin.