As major league debuts go, Jimmy Jones' debut could hardly have gotten better.
Pitching for the Padres in September 1986, Jones threw a complete-game shutout, facing just one batter over the minimum, for a one-hitter.
"My family was here, so I wanted to do halfway decent," Jones told reporters afterward. "I was pretty nervous, but I guess that is pretty normal. I tried just to get past the first hitter and when I did, I knew I'd be OK."
It was the start of a career that saw Jones play in eight major league seasons, not ending until 1993.
Jones' path to that major league debut began in 1982, taken by the Padres in the first round of the draft, third overall, out of Jefferson High School in Dallas.
He started at short-season Walla Walla, going 4-6 in 14 starts. He made AA Beaumont in 1984 then AAA Las Vegas in 1986. That September, he made San Diego.
Jones debuted with the Padres with the stellar Sept. 21 outing. His second outing, though, wasn't as good. On Sept. 26, Jones went just two innings, giving up three earned runs. getting a no-decision.
Jones ended the year with three starts, and a 2-0 record. Coming into 1987, Jones hoped to secure a spot in the Padres rotation out of spring training. But, this time, Jones' nerves got the best of him, pitching his way back to the minors.
"I was more nervous in the first inning today than in my whole life," Jones told The Los Angeles Times after a late-spring start where he gave up three runs in four innings. Jones was nervous because he'd heard on the radio that day's start would be an important one.
After spending April back at AAA, Jones returned to San Diego for May. He got into 30 games, 22 of them starts. He went 9-7, with a 4.14 ERA.
In 1988, Jones got 29 starts with the Padres, going 9-14, with a 4.12 ERA. That July, though, Jones returned to form, throwing a complete-game, six-hitter in a 6-2 win.
That off-season, though, the Padres sent Jones to the Yankees in a five-player deal. Coming out of spring in 1989, Jones found himself back in the minors. He also found himself upset at the decision.
"They told me I'd be more prepared by starting regularly in Columbus. They're the bosses," Jones told The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "I'd rather be here. If I was pitching in relief, I'd get my chances. The big leagues is the only place to be, no matter what your position is."
Jones ended up getting into 11 games with the Yankees that year, six starts. In 1990, he got into 17 games, seven starts.
Jones moved to the Astros for 1991 and 1992. In 1993, his final season, Jones played with the Expos. He went 4-1 with Montreal that final year, with a 6.35 ERA.
In recent years, Jones has turned to coaching. For 2012, he's headed into his second season as pitching coach in San Antonio for the AA Missions.
- Milwaukee Journal, AP and UPI, Sept. 22, 1986: Impressive debut by Padres' rookie
- Los Angeles Times, March 26, 1987: Padre Notebook
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel, March 28, 1989: Yankees' Jones Upset Over Demotion
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