A fond fairwell to Todd Jones

In the midst of Yankee Stadium closing, the Rays clinching, the Tigers being swept into last place, and the Mets and Brewers backing into the wild card - Todd Jones announced his retirement. He will retire with 319 career saves. Todd won't get to walk the mound at Comerica one last time, he won't hear the crowd chanting his name, or get to hear the loud speaker play the Counting Crows' 'Mr Jones'. He deserves better. His nickname the last few years in Detroit has been "roller coaster" because he would always have men on base and have to wriggle out of trouble. Yet, he always seemed to get the job done. I think the term "a pro's pro" was coined for a guy like Todd. He never had good stuff - Zumaya, Rodney, Farnsworth, and Leyland all throw harder. Yet, he wanted the ball in the 9th with the game on the line. I think when people look back at the 2006 Tigers team that turned around the franchise, he will be the forgotten man. But he was vital - just ask this year's Mets and Cardinals what they would give to have a reliable closer. Five year's from now Cooperstown won't come calling. I don't even know if Detroit will retire his number. He will retire with 319 career saves, and the most all-time in Tigers history, but he was never flashy, never dominant, but always good. I have decided to start a wall-of-fame here on the blog, and Todd Jones is going to be the first inductee. This wall-of-fame will exist to honor those players that had great careers, not very flashy, and plenty of fantastic facial hair. I think my favorite story of Todd Jones (his impersonation of Maggs during a rain delay would come a close second) is when Jim Leyland was asked about his closer - he referred to Todd as his "pack closer", because every time he took the mound Leyland was going to have to smoke a pack of cigarettes just to get through the outing.

Here's to your Mr. Jones