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Jones has a story you've got to love: it's not cool to be a fan when you're in this business. But I happily admit this: I root for Todd Jones, one of the most special regular dudes in sports

Sporting News, The, August 19, 2005 by Stan McNeal

Todd Jones likes to say he's just a guy passing through the game. And in some ways, he is the classic journeyman, pitching for seven teams in the past five years, one of dozens of relievers trying to hold down a job in the major leagues.

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But Todd Jones is far more than just another guy. To begin with, not many guys have lasted 13 seasons in the majors, recorded more than 200 saves and pitched in an All-Star Game. What really sets Jones apart, though, is this: He's the only guy in the majors who can beat deadline during the day and save a game that night. Shortly after noon last Thursday, he turned on his computer, IMed his editor and said, "Start the clock." Time to write. Fifty-three minutes later, his column popped into my e-mail inbox (you can find it on page 60). That night, I turned on the Cardinals-Marlins game, and there was Jones, being summoned with the tying run on third and two outs in the eighth. A nice play by his second baseman got him out of the inning. Two routine grounders and a strikeout finished off the Cards in the ninth. For those scoring at home, that was 22 saves and 28 columns for the year.

Closing is as different from columnizing as the salaries for the two jobs would suggest, but one trait helps Jones in both: his preparation. Although the majority of relievers pay cursory attention to scouting reports, Jones studies them as closely as most starters do. He has been known to pull out a cheat sheet on the mound when facing an unfamiliar hitter. As a writer, he reads, observes, contemplates and questions--all of which make him a standout, no matter what topic he's tackling. He doesn't duck tough issues (he has written about gays in the clubhouse, steroids and Pete Rose) and he can be funny ("sportswriters are the guys who wore blue socks in gym class"), but his strength as a writer--and, for that matter, as a person--is his direct approach. He doesn't waste words or pitches. A proud product of the South--raised near Atlanta and residing in Alabama--Jones is as down to earth as Georgia clay. "We do what we do," he tells his two kids when they want something because the neighbor down the street got it.

When Jones started writing his "Closer" column for the SPORTING NEWS five years ago, he actually was a closer. His career stumbled in 2002 where so many other pitchers' careers have tumbled, at Coors Field. He admits the place got to him, and it took awhile--until last year, in fact--to regain his confidence. He pitched well for the Reds last season but struggled after he was traded to the Phillies. Now 37, he's enjoying one of his best seasons. Jones ranks second among N.L. relievers with a 1.29 ERA, is holding opponents to a .194 batting average and has blown only two saves since moving into the closer role in late April.

Jones says the biggest difference is an improved cutter. Marlins pitching coach Mark Wiley says the righthander's stuff has been better than advertised. "He throws four quality pitches for strikes and with good late movement," Wiley says. "I told him that I thought it was amazing he hasn't been closing all these years." Teammate Brian Moehler says Jones has been on something of a mission after not getting the job offers he felt he deserved in the offseason. Jones said in May that he was feeling good this year. In June, he talked about covering the All-Star Game for the SPORTING NEWS.

"As a writer or a pitcher?"

"As a pitcher," he replied, a hint of indignation that the question was asked. But recognition hasn't knocked down his door. Jones got barely a sniff of consideration for the N.L. All-Star team even though his numbers were among the best for relievers. Recently, a story got back to Jones about a general manager who was talking about the Astros' and Marlins' postseason chances. The guy said he favored the Astros because the Marlins "don't have a closer." Soon after, Jones closed out a tight victory against that G.M.'s club.

Jones grins as he tells this story. As both a pitcher and a writer, he knows it's a good one.

Jones has a story you've got to love: it's not cool to be a fan when you're in this business. But I happily admit this: I root for Todd Jones, one of the most special regular dudes in sports

Sporting News, The, August 19, 2005 by Stan McNeal

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