Randy Jones, the beloved left-handed pitcher who became the San Diego Padres’ first Cy Young Award winner and remained a fixture in the franchise for over five decades, died Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at age 75. The Padres announced his death on Wednesday.
Born January 12, 1950, in Fullerton, California, Jones was drafted by the Padres in the fifth round in 1972 out of Chapman College. He made his MLB debut with San Diego in 1973, beginning a career that would transform him into one of the most popular players in franchise history.
Jones achieved unprecedented success for the young expansion franchise during the mid-1970s. In 1975, he posted a 20-12 record with a league-leading 2.24 ERA, finishing second in National League Cy Young Award voting behind the New York Mets’ Tom Seaver. He also earned his first All-Star selection that year, securing a save in the 1975 All-Star Game.
The following season brought Jones his greatest achievement. In 1976, he captured the NL Cy Young Award after leading the majors with 22 wins while making 40 starts and completing 25 games. He pitched 315.1 innings with a 2.74 ERA, dominating hitters despite striking out only 93 batters the entire season. Jones won the 1976 All-Star Game for the National League and earned his second consecutive All-Star selection.
What made Jones remarkable was not overpowering velocity but rather craftiness and deception. The left-hander relied heavily on his sinker, with a fastball that topped out at just 80 mph. His ability to succeed without power made him relatable to fans and turned his starts into major events at San Diego Stadium, where attendance averaged significantly higher when he pitched compared to other home games.
Jones’ remarkable 1976 season came at a cost. He injured a nerve in his left arm during his final start of the year, requiring postseason surgery. The injury prevented him from ever returning to his previous form, though he continued pitching for the Padres through 1980, compiling an impressive body of work during his eight seasons with the franchise.
Following the 1980 season, Jones was traded to the New York Mets, where he played his final two MLB seasons in 1981 and 1982. Reports indicate he finished his career with a 100-123 record and a 3.42 ERA over 10 seasons.
After retiring from baseball, Jones returned to San Diego County and became deeply embedded in the community. He worked as a Padres ambassador and remained a regular presence at games, greeting fans and sharing his love for baseball. His Randy Jones BBQ stands became staples first at Qualcomm Stadium and later at Petco Park, where they continue to serve fans today.
The Padres organization honored Jones’ contributions by retiring his No. 35 jersey in 1997 and inducting him into the Padres Hall of Fame in 1999. These recognitions cemented his status as one of the franchise’s most important figures during its formative years.
In 2017, Jones revealed he had been diagnosed with throat cancer, which he linked to his use of chewing tobacco during his playing career. After undergoing treatment, he announced in May 2018 that he was cancer-free, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support from the San Diego community.
The Padres released a statement expressing their sorrow: “Randy was a cornerstone of our franchise for over five decades. Inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame in 1999, his impact and popularity only grew in his post-playing career, becoming a tremendous ambassador for the team and a true fan favorite. Crossing paths with RJ and talking baseball or life was a joy for everyone fortunate enough to spend time with him. Randy was committed to San Diego, the Padres, and his family. He was a giant in our lives and our franchise history.”
The organization extended condolences to his wife Marie and the entire Jones family, noting that he would be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Jones’ legacy extends beyond statistics. He became the first Padres pitcher to win the Cy Young Award, establishing a standard of excellence for a franchise that struggled in its early years. His approachable personality and consistent presence in the San Diego community for decades after his playing career ended made him a beloved figure who transcended his on-field accomplishments.
His unique pitching style, which emphasized control and movement over velocity, demonstrated that success in baseball could come through intelligence and guile rather than pure physical dominance. This approach endeared him to fans who saw him as an everyman succeeding at the highest level of professional sports.
Jones remains one of the most significant figures in Padres history, remembered not only for his exceptional 1975 and 1976 seasons but for his decades of dedication to San Diego and its baseball community.
