Randy Jones, the beloved left-hander who became an early face of the San Diego Padres franchise and won the National League Cy Young Award, has died at the age of 75, the Padres announced.
Born on January 12, 1950, in Fullerton, California, Jones made his major-league debut in 1973 after being drafted out of Chapman College the previous year.
Over his 10-year MLB career (1973–1982), he became best known for his eight seasons in San Diego and two with the New York Mets.
Jones rose to national prominence in the mid-1970s with back-to-back standout seasons. In 1975, he posted a 20–12 record and led the National League with a 2.24 ERA, finishing second in Cy Young voting.
The following year, his 1976 campaign cemented his legacy: he won 22 games, led the league in starts, innings pitched, and complete games, and earned the Cy Young Award despite playing for a team that finished well below .500.
Jones was not a power pitcher instead, he relied on remarkable control and a sinking fastball to induce ground balls.
His understated style and unassuming personality earned him the nickname “the Junkman,” and he became a fan favorite in San Diego during an era when the franchise was still building its identity.
Even after his playing days, Jones remained deeply connected to the Padres and the San Diego community. He stayed in the region, worked as a team ambassador, appeared in broadcast segments, and ran a popular “Randy Jones BBQ” stand at both Qualcomm Stadium and, later, Petco Park.
In 1997, the Padres retired his jersey number 35, and in 1999, he was inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame a testament to his lasting impact.
His career was eventually hampered by injury: during his final start of the 1976 season, he tore a nerve near his left biceps tendon, which required surgery and curtailed his dominance.
Off the field, Jones faced serious health challenges. In 2017, he announced he had been diagnosed with throat cancer, which he attributed to his years of chewing tobacco. Remarkably, by 2018 he declared himself cancer-free, and he remained publicly active in the years after.
In their statement on his passing, the Padres mourned his loss “with deep sorrow and heavy hearts,” calling him “a cornerstone of our franchise for over five decades.”
They described him as a “giant in our lives and our franchise history,” committed not just to the Padres but to his family and the San Diego community.
He is survived by his wife, Marie, and members of their family. The Padres extended their “heartfelt sympathy” to them as they mourn his loss.
For fans, teammates, and the broader baseball world, Randy Jones was more than just a great pitcher: he was a symbol of humility, grit, and genuine connection.
As many have noted, his legacy goes far beyond the mound he embodied the heart and soul of San Diego baseball, and he will be deeply missed.
