Jacque Jones

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Jacque Jones
File:Jacque Jones 2007.jpg
Jones with the Chicago Cubs
Washington Nationals
Outfielder / Coach
Born: (1975-04-25) April 25, 1975 (age 48)
San Diego, California
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
June 9, 1999, for the Minnesota Twins
Last MLB appearance
June 10, 2008, for the Florida Marlins
MLB statistics
Batting average .277
Home runs 165
Runs batted in 630
Teams
Jacque Jones
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's Baseball
Summer Olympics
Bronze medal – third place 1996 Atlanta Team

Jacque Dewayne Jones (born April 25, 1975) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and currently assistant hitting coach with the Washington Nationals under his former manager Dusty Baker

Early life

He graduated from San Diego High School in 1993, and the University of Southern California, where he had a stellar career. In 1994, he was a first team all-American outfielder for the Trojans. In 1996, he was a member of the US Olympic Baseball team. In 1993, he was named player of the year in the SCL with, .332 batting average, 33 home runs, and 124 RBI.

Professional career

Minnesota Twins

Jacque was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the second round of the 1996 amateur draft. He played three seasons in the minor leagues, and was brought up to the majors in 1999. He started off in center field, but moved to left to accommodate Torii Hunter. Between 2002-2003, he batted over .300, and went to the playoffs with the Twins. The Twins outfield was one of the fastest in baseball in 2005, boasting Jones, Hunter and Shannon Stewart. With the acquisition of Stewart, Jones was moved to right field. Jacque was able to hit for power and averaged 20 home runs between 2000-2005.

Jones officially ended his relationship with the Twins by turning down arbitration on December 19, 2005. After considering a deal to play for St. Louis, he signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Cubs just a day later.[1]

Chicago Cubs

On August 15, 2006, Jones hit a home run over the center field wall against Roger Clemens at Minute Maid Park, well over 440 feet. He finished the 2006 season strong with a .285 batting average, tied his career best with 27 home runs.

After the 2006 season, it appeared Jones' future with Chicago was uncertain. It was rumored that he had requested a trade and a deal as in the works, but on February 17, 2007, he asked to not be traded, and that he was hoping to have a comeback year. Jones remained with the Cubs to start the 2007 season, though he was never really accepted by the fan base, partly due to his lack of production and partly due to questionable comments regarding the teams decision to fire Dusty Baker, whom Jones said he came to Chicago to play for. Baker was replaced by Lou Piniella in December 2006. Early in the 2007 season he became disgruntled with his playing time and the Cubs again sought to trade him. Trades with the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers fell through in June 2007 because of new owner Sam Zell's unwillingess to transfer money to another team to cover Jones' remaining salaries.[2]

Detroit Tigers

On November 12, 2007, Jones was traded to the Detroit Tigers for infielder Omar Infante. After getting off to a poor start, batting just .165 in his first 24 games, he was designated for assignment by the Tigers on May 5, 2008. As a Tiger, Jacque Jones's best game was against the Texas Rangers where he had his only home run in a Detroit uniform as well as a triple, which came in back to back at bats. However, on May 13, he was released by the Tigers.

Florida Marlins

File:Jacque Jones.jpg
Jacque Jones with Marlins in 2008.

On May 19, 2008, Jones signed a minor league deal with the Florida Marlins.[3] Jones first reported to extended spring training in Jupiter, Florida. On May 23, he was added to the major league roster and made his Marlin debut in center field on May 25. He was designated for assignment on June 11 and became a free agent on June 20 after rejecting his assignment to the minors.[4]

Cincinnati Reds

On February 5, 2009, Jones signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Cincinnati Reds.[5] He did not make the team, and was reassigned to the minor league camp on March 30. He was cut after a poor spring training. He chose to leave the Reds, rather than accept a minor league contract.

Return to Minnesota

Jones signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins on February 9, 2010. He was assigned to the minor league after that.[6] He received very loud standing ovations during his at-bats during two exhibition games against the St. Louis Cardinals at Target Field.[7]

Post MLB career

Jones was on the ballot for 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame but did not receive the minimum 5% of votes needed to keep him the ballot in subsequent years.

Jones was named hitting coach for the El Paso Chihuahuas by the San Diego Padres for the 2014 season. He resigned from the job during his first season.

References

  1. ↑ ESPN.com news services, Cubs agree to terms with outfielder Jacque Jones, ESPN.com, Retrieved on July 28, 2007
  2. ↑ Berardino, Mike, Crucial position must be Marlins' center of attention, Sun-sentinel, Retrieved on July 28, 2007
  3. ↑ Marlins ink Jones to Minors deal
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Twins Sign Jacque Jones To Minor League Contract
  7. ↑ [1]

External links


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