Bobby Jones (left-handed pitcher) facts for kids

Robert Mitchell Jones (born April 11, 1972) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for six seasons. His career spanned from 1997 to 2004. Bobby Jones made his MLB debut on May 18, 1997, with the Colorado Rockies. After his playing days, he became a manager. From 2016 to 2022, he managed the Sussex County Miners. This team plays in the Frontier League. Currently, he is a Vice President for the New Jersey Jackals. He also works as their Chief Baseball Officer.

Jones moved to Rutherford, New Jersey, in 1981. He played in the Rutherford Little League from 1982 to 1984. In 1991, the Milwaukee Brewers drafted him. He signed with them before the 1992 draft. He then played for Helena in the Pioneer Baseball League. This was a rookie league. He finished that season with a 5–4 win-loss record.

Jones also ran his own baseball academy. It was called Bobby Jones Sports. The academy was located in Montville, New Jersey. He later closed it down. Jones also coached baseball. He was a pitching coach for two high school teams. These were Don Bosco Prep and Montclair Mounties. He also taught pitching at the Academy of Pro Players. This academy is in Hawthorne, New Jersey.

Bobby Jones' Minor League Journey

Jones moved up through the Brewers' system. He played for Beloit in 1993. This was in the Midwest League. In 1994, he played for Stockton. This team was in the California League. After the 1994 season, the Colorado Rockies picked Jones. They chose him in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.

In 1995, Jones played mostly for the New Haven Ravens. This team was in the Double-A Eastern League. They lost the league championship series that year. Around the All-Star break, he spent a month with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. This was a Triple-A team. He returned to the Sky Sox in 1996 and 1997. In 1997, he had a 5-1 record. The Rockies then called him up to the major leagues. He replaced an injured player named Bill Swift.

Bobby Jones' Major League Career

Jones played his first major league game at Shea Stadium. He played against the New York Mets, his favorite team growing up. He did not get a win or loss in that game. The Mets ended up winning. He earned his first victory in his next game. This was against the Houston Astros.

Jones played for the Colorado Rockies in 1998 and most of 1999. He worked as both a starter and a bullpen pitcher. In early 2000, the Rockies traded Jones to the Mets. This meant he was on the same team as another pitcher named Bobby J. Jones. The two had actually pitched against each other in 1999. The Rockies' Jones won that game.

Jones spent the 2001 season on the disabled list. He came back to the Mets in 2002. Later that year, he was traded to the San Diego Padres. There, he was reunited with Bobby J. Jones again. In 2003, he played in Triple-A. He started with the Richmond Braves. He finished the season with the Omaha Royals.

In 2004, Jones joined the Boston Red Sox for spring training. He made the main team. After that, he went into rehabilitation. In 2005, he played briefly for the Newark Bears. This was an independent team. The Chicago White Sox then signed him. They sent him to their Triple-A team, the Charlotte. In 2006, the Detroit Tigers signed Jones. He pitched for their Double-A team, the Erie.