COVID Takes The Life Of Former MLB All-Star Closer

 

A tragic loss for the Cleveland Guardians family, and all of baseball, as news broke of the death of former All-Star closer Doug Jones, reportedly due to complications from COVID-19. 

Sad to tweet, that a long time friend, teammate, husband father grandfather and one hell of a pitcher Doug Jones has passed from complications from COVID.
RIP JONSEY. Please keep the family in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/4hoWRjYt0e

— greg swindell (@GregSwindell) November 22, 2021

Former Cleveland teammate Greg Swindell tweeted the news, and voices from around baseball reacted with shock and sadness, including his former team.  

We are saddened by the loss of one of our orgs all-time greats, Doug Jones.

His 129 saves is 3rd in franchise history. He was a member of the club’s Top 100 roster, celebrated in 2001. He enjoyed 16 big league seasons, 7 in Cleveland (1986-1991, 98) including 3X as an All-Star. pic.twitter.com/aRYuBDPVNr

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) November 22, 2021

Jones played 16 years in the majors, was a 5-time All-Star, and enjoyed most of his success with Cleveland, racking up 129 saves, which is 3rd on the franchise all-time list. He played until well into his 40s, and even had one of his best seasons at the age of 40, with 36 saves and a 2.02 ERA for the Milwaukee Brewers. 

He will be remembered not only for his very slow changeup, and his recognizable mustache, but also as one of the game's true gentlemen. 

Jones was 64.