Ruppert Jones – #32
The 1984 season was an embarrassment of riches on so many levels. And when the Tigers signed Ruppert Jones to a minor-league deal on April 10, 1984, it was almost too much to comprehend.
Jones started the year in Evansville for what amounted to an extended spring training. That didn’t stop my friends and me from wondering:
When will he get called up?
Where will he play?
When will he play?
- The answer to the first question was early June, after lighting up the American Association, batting .313, 9 HR, 45 RBI and a .986 OPS in his 45 games with the Triplets.
- Jones made his Tigers debut, fittingly, against the Blue Jays at Tiger Stadium on June 6 — two days after Dave Bergman‘s 13-pitch, walk-off at bat. He started in centerfield, batting sixth, and went one for three with a double, a walk and a run scored.
- The answer to the second question was left field and centerfield, with spot DH duty.
- As for question three: 79 games. He finished the year with a .284 average, 12 HR, 37 RBI and a .862 OPS.
In the postseason, Jones played in just four games — ALCS games one and two, and World Series games two and four — and notched only a walk and a run scored in nine plate appearances.
After the ’84 season, the Tigers let him walk — not a popular move in my eyes at the time (or now!). In January 1985, Jones signed with the Angels and played for them until his final big-league game, Oct. 4, 1987.
Check out this full bio on Jones by Adam Ulrey as part of SABR’s Bio Project.
Birthdays
Zach Miner, Craig Dingman, Ruppert Jones, Larry Rothschild and the late Eulogio “Frankie” De La Cruz and George Maisel
Today’s Grid
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 345 9/9 — Rarity: 11
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