The Hoosier Gunslinger

First appeared on July 23rd, 2008
in The Lebanon Reporter

Al Michaels had the call as Cleveland Indian reliever Doug Jones strode across the lime green Astroturf to take the mound under the bright lights of Riverfront Stadium. In front of a frenzied crowd of 55,000 screaming fans, American League Manager Tom Kelley handed the ball to Jones. The skipper was placing full trust in the young pitcher and his deceptive two seam fastball. Jones came through for the stars of the Junior Circuit, striking one batter out in 2/3 of an inning. His performance helped the American League earn a 2-1 victory in the 59th annual midsummer classic.
To be honest the only thing I remember about that particular evening is that it was the first time I had ever even heard of game MVP Terry Steinbach. However this past July 12th did mark the 20th anniversary of that first major league All Star appearance for Indians Pitcher and Lebanon native Doug Jones.
Drafted out of Butler by the Brewers in the third round of the 1978 draft, Jones made his Major League debut in April of 1982 with Milwaukee. Even the most diehard Brewers fan, you know the one who dresses up like Bernie Brewer for Halloween and has a lifetime subscription to beer illustrated, could not have predicted the type of career the right hander from small town Indiana would have.
After logging a solid and productive16 seasons in the majors Jones stands 20th all time in saves with 303. For me personally, he will most likely forever be associated with the Houston Astros teams I loved to hate. Looking back, my hatred/jealousy was most likely a combination of one part Jones was a great closer who always seemed to be slamming the door on my beloved Cubs and two parts the Astros were often having the type of success Chicago was not.
Closers have to be confident and intimidating as theirs is often a position filled with “meet me in the street at high-noon” type pressure. To Jones’ credit, his ability coupled with a six foot plus frame and Wyatt Earp-like stache helped him fill the role of Texas gunslinger well and during his time in the majors he dueled down a wide array of tremendous players. A formidable list that includes everyone from Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson, Cal Ripken, George Brett, Ryne Sanberg and Tony Gwynn to future Hall of Famers Derek Jeter and Manny Ramirez.
In a career that saw time spent with 7 different teams, Jones averaged 24 saves per season and retired with over 900 strike outs. Perhaps the high-water mark of his career came in 1990 when he saved a personal best 43 games for Cleveland. That season Jones made his 3rd of 5 All Star appearances and finished 15th in the balloting for the American League Most Valuable Player. For those unfamiliar with MVP balloting, it is quite impressive for a reliever to receive such consideration.
Jones pitched his final game in September of 2000 for the Oakland Athletics. After a successful career in Major League Baseball, Doug Jones is a name that is slowly fading from the Lebanon community lexicon. However he does stand as yet another example of the rich athletic heritage garnered by the Friendly City. A heritage of proud accomplishments this community should never hesitate to celebrate. For more information, Jones’ doting father can be found hanging around Memorial Park cheering on the Lebanon Merchants most Thursday nights during the summer. He’ll be the one sporting the Indians cap.