Ron Jones
PositionRight fielder
BatsLeft
ThrowsRight
Birth dateJune 11, 1964
Birth placeSeguin, Texas, U.S.
Death dateJune 4, 2006 (aged 41)
Death placeHouston, Texas, U.S.
DebutleagueMLB
DebutdateAugust 26
Debutyear1988
DebutteamPhiladelphia Phillies
FinalleagueMLB
FinaldateOctober 6
Finalyear1991
FinalteamPhiladelphia Phillies
StatleagueMLB
Stat1labelBatting average
Stat1value.272
Stat3labelRuns batted in
Stat3value40
Stat2labelHome runs
Stat2value13
Stat2leagueCPBL
Stat21labelBatting average
Stat21value.285
Stat23labelRuns batted in
Stat23value75
Stat22labelHome runs
Stat22value18
Teams

Ronald Glen Jones (June 11, 1964 – June 4, 2006) was an American 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.

Life and career

Born 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

  1. ^ Hagen, Paul (August 28, 2015). "Charlie Hayes and Ron Jones had tight bond". MLB.com