Former Mariners reliever Calvin Jones has passed away from cancer, as relayed by Bob Nightengale of USA Today on Twitter. He was 58 years old.
Jones was taken by the Mariners with the first overall selection in the 1984 January draft. (At the time, there was a second entry draft in January, largely for those who had graduated in the winter.) After initially working primarily as a starter in the minors, he made more appearances out of the bullpen as he climbed the minor league ladder. He made his MLB debut in 1991, throwing 46 1/3 innings over 27 relief appearances with the Mariners. He put up an ERA of 2.53 and recorded a couple of saves. In 1992, he logged 61 2/3 innings over 38 games with an ERA of 5.69. Although that was his the end of his time pitching in the majors, he continued playing for another decade, spending time in the minors, the CPBL, the Mexican League and The Atlantic League. He finished his MLB career with an ERA of 4.33 and 91 strikeouts over 108 innings in 65 games.
After his playing days were done, Jones worked as a scout for the Dodgers. This 2016 story from Scott Miller and Bleacher Report highlights how Jones was fundamental to the Dodgers making the franchise-altering decision to select Clayton Kershaw with the seventh overall pick in the 2006 draft.
We at MLB Trade Rumors pass on our condolences to the Jones family, and Calvin’s many friends and fans.
Thoughts and prayers.
Man….F cancer.
R.I.P. Calvin Jones.
That was such a good read about the Kershaw scouting, seems like he was a great guy. Condolences.
RIP, Calvin.
We seem to be seeing a lot more passings lately. I wonder if any of them are related to people having to postpone checkups and appointments due to Covid?
Yeah. And there are people wondering if perhaps he wasn’t fully vaccinated or he wouldn’t die , and I bet there are as many wondering if the Covid jabs caused him to die. Everyone has their own Covid narrative.
Cancer doesn’t care. RIP
You are right. Cancer does not give a crap. Just about any form can be,fatal. My wife died from a very rare cancer. Met several people and their families while my wife was going through her treatment. While many forms are treatable, none are 100% survivable, Would not wish any form of cancer on even my worst enemy.
I said what I said because I know someone who put off getting checked up because of Covid, and had a re-occurrence and died. Nothing political or judgemental.
I was merely answering from personal perspective. I feel bad that the person that you know put off the checkup. I did put in my response that patients could opt to cancel appointments. Personal choice is the option of the patient. I put the last point in that if state or local mandates took the decision for appointments or treatments/procedures out of the patient’s hands would be unforgivable in my mind. Again, so sorry for the person that you know passed away.
Not sure if you were answering my first response or not. Just realized it is being moderated.
This was my original response to you and I changed 2 words that probably caused the moderation that is still ongoing.:
I know people that have had cancer during the pandemic. They did not miss any appointments for check ups, scans or treatment. The only difference was that unlike when my wife was fighting her cancer, no one could go into the treatment center with them.. The only way one would miss an appointment would be if the the patient opted out of it. That was at least the way it was in the Pittsburgh area. Can’t speak for other areas and if politicians forced restrictions on their hospitals. If they did and prevented non Covid-19 patients from treatments for other life threatening diseases, they deserve a special place in h*ll as a result. As aptly said above F Cancer!
“”And there are people wondering if perhaps he wasn’t fully vaccinated or he wouldn’t die””
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I’m calling bs. Where are you finding a prevalence of people associating or attributing cancer deaths to a lack of vaccination?
We’re talking about a disease, in cancer, that kills people of all age groups in large numbers. It stands apart from other illnesses in that regard. I don’t think many people are expressing the suspicions you claim… I also believe it’s very unlikely for cancer to reach advanced stages so quickly from its onset.
You didn’t get the sarcasm my friend. And yes as a two time survivor I appreciate your awareness.
Ok, glad to see you were being sarcastic.. With the Covid situation specifically, distinguishing sarcasm from attempts to mislead isn’t always easy, at least not for me apparently.
I got exactly what you were,saying. To be honest, I have seen the stupid comments from people who have made such comments on many other boards including on this site. Can’t tell if they are joking or serious half the time. Either way it diminishes the Major fight that every cancer patient goes through. Congratulations for for succeeding twice.
This is sad. One day we will beat cancer… just wish it was now.
RIP Calvin
Sad.
No Baseball on the field and so many former players passing away at too young of an age.
R.I.P. Calvin
Link to his stats page?
Just Click on C;ayton Kershaw’s name. And put any players name in the search box.
Cancer, such a ugly thing
One of the worst things you can witness is a loved one dying from cancer. I’ve got to see it 4 times in my 31 years. There’s something in the water here? They call her Coldwater Creek
RIP Calvin Jones
RIP Calvin. Cancer has taken loved ones away from us all. Probably one of the few actually universal things in life.
All too true. Some types of cancer may discriminate, but cancer in general attacks without regard for race, religion, height, wealth, etc. F-cancer!
RIP. Prayers for comfort for his loved ones.
Oddly, he is the second former player to pass from cancer in the last week and no article mentioned what type of cancer attacked either one of them. A few weeks ago a former Mets reliever passed on and in his final weeks he made a point of encouraging men to get regular check ups. His was a particularly aggressive form and he went quickly.