July 1, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. -
Fresno State Athletics has had many memorable moments during its history. Each day during the month of July, Gobulldogs.com will highlight a great moment from Fresno State Athletics history.
July 1: Bobby Jones Named NCAA Baseball Player of the Year
In three years Bobby Jones became one of the greatest pitchers to pitch at Fresno State. He compiled a 32-9 record during his time as a Bulldog, including a 16-2 mark in 1991 when he was named to the Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year. He is the only Bulldog baseball player to be named NCAA Player of the Year.
He was also a Golden Spikes Award finalist, an accolade given to the best amateur player in the nation. He led the nation in complete games with 18, which also is the second most in college history.
He had four shutouts and had consecutive scoreless innings streaks of 29 and 28.1 during the 1991 season. The Jones led Bulldogs finished the season ranked sixth in the nation and made their second College World Series appearance in four years. Fresno State finished the year 42-23 and won the Big West and the NCAA West II regional championships.
Following the 1991 season Jones earned All-American honors by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball America Magazine and Collegiate Baseball. He went on to have a very successful professional career as he was drafted by the New York Mets in the first round in the 1991 draft.
Jones made quick work of the minors, moving to the Mets roster after two years. Jones pitched in nine games for the Mets in 1993, going 2-4 in his first season in the league. In 1994, he joined the major league roster for good, racking up a 12-7 record for the Mets while recording a career-best 3.15 ERA in his first full season.
Continuing to be consistent, Jones won 10 games in 1995, was sixth in the league with 30 starts, and joined the National League leader board from the other side of the plate, laying down a league-best 18 sacrifice hits. Jones made his first opening day start in 1995, tossing a shutout against Colorado. In 1996, Jones made his second consecutive opening day start and made a career-high 31 starts.
1997 was one of the finest years of Jones' career. He won a career-high 15 games and was named to the National League All-Star team for the first time in his career. Jones pitched a scoreless eighth inning in the Fall Classic, retiring Nomar Garciaparra and striking out Ken Griffey Jr. and Mark McGwire. His 15 wins were ninth in the league that season, and he was named the National League Pitcher of the Month in May after he went 5-0 with a 1.15 ERA.
Jones continued to pitch for four more years with the Mets, going 9-9 in 1998 before pitching in only 12 games in 1999 due to injuries. He returned to form in 2000 however, finishing 11-6 overall, but was 10-3 with a 3.69 ERA in his final 19 starts as the Mets earned the National League Wild Card.
The postseason proved to be a fine showcase for Jones and for Fresno State, as Jones faced off against fellow Fresno State alumnus Mark Gardner in game four of the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants. The Mets clinched the Division title that night as Jones out-dueled Gardner, throwing a complete game shutout to seal a 4-0 win for the Mets. Jones allowed just one hit on the night, a double to Jeff Kent, and struck out five on the way to the win.
Finishing up his career in San Diego, Jones pitched for two seasons with the Padres before announcing his retirement. In a ten-year professional career, Jones finished with an 89-83 record, a career 4.36 ERA and struck out 887 batters. He had seven seasons where he made 20 starts or more, and was one of only eight pitchers to finish .500 or better every year between 1994-2000.
Coming tomorrow: Margie Wright becomes the NCAA all-time winningest softball coach.
"We Are Your Team" - For Fresno State ticket information log onto gobulldogs.com or call 559-278-DOGS.
