Randy Jones, who was the San Diego Padres’ first ever Cy Young winner, died Tuesday, the team announced.
“With deep sorrow and heavy hearts, the Padres mourn the passing of our beloved left-hander, Randy Jones,” the Padres said in a statement Wednesday.
“He was a giant in our lives and our franchise history.”
He was 75. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Jones was diagnosed with throat cancer back in 2017 linked to tobacco use during his baseball career.
Jones was drafted by the Padres in the fifth round in 1972 out of Chapman University.
Jones got off to a fast start as a rookie in 1973, logging a 3.16 ERA in 20 games before losing 22 games in 1974 as the Padres lost 102 games for the second straight season.
Despite the team’s woes, Jones became one of the top pitchers in baseball in 1975, posting the best season of his career with a 20-12 record, 2.24 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 285 innings.
He finished second in the NL Cy Young voting that year to Mets legend Tom Seaver.
Jones captured the Cy Young the following season, going 22-14 with a 2.74 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 315 ⅓ innings — while recording just 93 strikeouts and earning his second straight All-Star nod.
Over Jones’ eight seasons with the Padres — who retired his No. 35 in 1997 — he recorded a 3.30 ERA.
One of Jones’ most memorable post-playing career stories included giving pitching lessons to future lefty Cy Young winner Barry Zito for five years, beginning when Zito was age 12.