Ruppert Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ruppert Jones |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Jones in 1978
|
|||
| Center fielder | |||
| Born: March 12, 1955 Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: August 1, 1976, for the Kansas City Royals | |||
| NPB: July 29, 1988, for the Hanshin Tigers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| MLB: October 4, 1987, for the California Angels | |||
| NPB: October 13, 1988, for the Hanshin Tigers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .250 | ||
| Home runs | 147 | ||
| Runs batted in | 579 | ||
| NPB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .254 | ||
| Home runs | 8 | ||
| Runs batted in | 27 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
Ruppert Sanderson Jones, born on March 12, 1955, is a former American baseball player. He played as a center fielder in Major League Baseball. He was the very first player chosen by the Seattle Mariners in the special 1976 Major League Baseball expansion draft.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Start
Ruppert Jones was born in Dallas, Texas. When he was a pre-teen, his family moved to California. He was a talented athlete at Berkeley High School in Berkeley, California. He played baseball, basketball, and football. He was even recognized as one of the best players in the East Bay area for all three sports.
Jones received offers to play football at big universities. However, he decided to focus on baseball. He felt he was a better outfielder than a wide receiver in football.
Joining the Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals picked Jones in the third round of the 1973 Major League Baseball draft. He spent three seasons playing in their minor league teams, also called the farm system. During this time, he hit well, with 38 home runs and 173 runs batted in (RBIs).
In 1976, Jones tried out for a spot on the Royals' main team. Even though he played well, another player got the job. Jones was sent to the Triple-A team, the Omaha Royals, to start the season.
After playing half a season in Omaha, Jones was called up to the major leagues in the summer of 1976. In his second major league game, he helped the Royals win by getting two hits and driving in three runs. For the rest of that season, he played as a backup outfielder and a left-handed hitter.
Becoming a Seattle Mariner
The Royals' manager, Whitey Herzog, thought Ruppert Jones was one of the best young players in their team. He knew the Royals might lose Jones in the 1976 expansion draft. Since the Royals had many young players, Jones was not protected from being chosen by new teams.
Danny Kaye, a famous actor and part-owner of the Seattle Mariners, picked Ruppert Jones as the very first player in the expansion draft. This meant Jones would join the brand-new Seattle Mariners team.
Jones's Impact in Seattle
Fans in Seattle quickly loved Jones because of his powerful hitting and great fielding in center field. By the All-Star break in 1977, he was hitting well and had 17 home runs. He was chosen to be the first-ever All-Star player for the Mariners at the 1977 game.
He finished the 1977 season with 24 home runs and 76 RBIs. He was named the 1977 Topps Rookie All-Star center fielder.
In 1978, Jones tied a major league record for outfielders. He made 12 putouts in a long game against the Detroit Tigers. His season was cut short in June when he had surgery for appendicitis. He returned later but didn't hit as well for the rest of the year.
A Strong 1979 Season
Jones was healthy again in 1979 and had his best season yet. He set career highs in runs scored (109), hits (166), triples (9), RBIs (78), and stolen bases (33). He played in all 162 games that season. He was the first Mariner to hit at least 15 home runs and steal 15 bases before the All-Star break.
After the 1979 season, Jones was traded to the New York Yankees. He left the Mariners holding team records for runs scored in a season and for runs and walks in a single game.
Time with the New York Yankees
In 1980, Jones was playing center field and batting second for the New York Yankees. On August 25, he separated his shoulder while chasing a fly ball. This injury needed surgery and ended his season. The Yankees won 103 games that year and won their division, but Jones could not play in the playoffs.
After the season, there were rumors that Jones might be traded to the Boston Red Sox. This would have been a rare trade between the two rival teams. However, the Yankees signed another star player, Dave Winfield, and the trade didn't happen. Instead, Jones was traded to the San Diego Padres in the spring of 1981.
Playing for the San Diego Padres
In the strike-shortened 1981 season, Jones batted .249 and tied for the team lead in runs scored. In 1982, he was hitting very well by the All-Star break. He earned his second All-Star selection. He was the only player from the Padres chosen for the All-Star game, even though San Diego was doing well that year. In his only turn at bat, he hit a triple and then scored a run.
Jones was a fan favorite with the Padres in 1982. Fans often wore yellow "Rupe's Troops" T-shirts. In 1983, he played in 133 games, which was the fewest he had played in a full season without injury. After the season, he became a free agent, meaning he could sign with any team. The Padres then got another outfielder, so Jones moved on.
Joining the Detroit Tigers
Jones spent the spring of 1984 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he didn't make their team. A week into the season, he signed with the Detroit Tigers. He started in Triple-A, but after hitting well, he was called up to the Tigers in June.
He spent the rest of the season sharing playing time in left field and sometimes in center field. One memorable moment was on June 24, when he hit a home run that cleared the right field roof of Tiger Stadium. For the season, Jones batted .284 with nine home runs and 37 RBIs. Six of his home runs were hit at Tiger Stadium, earning him the nickname "Rooftop" Ruppert.
World Series Champion
The 1984 Tigers had a fantastic season, winning 104 games and easily making it to the playoffs. Jones played in the American League Championship Series and the World Series. He didn't get any hits in the playoffs, but the Tigers won the World Series! This meant Ruppert Jones became a World Series champion.
After the season, Jones became a free agent again. The Tigers thought he was more of a part-time player and offered him a contract based on that. After some discussions, he signed with the California Angels.
Years with the California Angels
In his first season with the California Angels in 1985, Jones played as a fourth outfielder and a designated hitter. His 21 home runs were the second-most on the team, only behind Reggie Jackson. In 1986, Jones played more in right field, while Jackson became the main designated hitter.
The Angels won their division in 1986, giving Jones his second trip to the playoffs. However, they lost the 1986 American League Championship Series to the Boston Red Sox in a very close series. Jones got three hits in the series, scored four runs, and drove in two.
His playing time became much less in 1987. He ended up with eight home runs and 28 RBIs in limited opportunities.
Later Career and Retirement
In 1988, Jones was invited to the Milwaukee Brewers' training camp, but he didn't make the team. He then signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers in May. He played well for their minor league team, the Oklahoma City 89ers.
However, his time in Oklahoma City was short. After 50 games, he left to play in Japan for the Hanshin Tigers. He returned to Oklahoma City in 1989, but due to serious shoulder injuries, he decided to retire after playing only 27 more games.
Life After Baseball
Ruppert Jones lives in Rancho Bernardo, California, which is a suburb of San Diego, California. He works for a company that helps government contractors with employee benefits.
He also coaches a youth baseball team called the Easton As for 13 and 14-year-olds. He coaches alongside former major league pitcher Dave Stewart.
