Pat Sheridan

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Jones debuted with the Reds on April 7, 1986, against the Philadelphia Phillies. In his first at-bat, he flied out facing Hall-of-Famer Steve Carlton. In his next time, he walked, then singled off Carlton for his first MLB hit in his third plate appearance. Early in the 1988 season, Jones tripped over the bullpen mound while chasing a foul fly ball, injuring his knee and missing eight weeks. Twice in three games in June 1988, Jones had pinch hit walk-off walks to beat the San Diego Padres. On June 30, 1990, Jones was intentionally hit in the ribs by a pitch from Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Bob Sebra, setting off a 20-minute brawl that led to eight ejections.

In Their Own Story

The Kingdome crowd buzzed on June 30, 1990, as Tracy Jones stepped into the batter's box against Milwaukee's Bob Sebra. The pitch came in tight, intentionally hitting Jones in the ribs. In an instant, both benches cleared, and a 20-minute brawl erupted, leading to eight ejections. It was a raw, chaotic moment that captured the intensity Jones brought to the game. Earlier that season, he had been traded to the Mariners for Darnell Coles on June 18. Jones became the Mariners Opening Day left fielder in 1991, part of the club's revolving door of left fielders who played alongside Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. He played his final MLB game with the Mariners on October 6, 1991, drawing two walks in four plate appearances as the Mariners lost the last game of the season.

Reader's Guide

Tracy Jones played for five MLB teams from 1986 to 1991: the Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, and Seattle Mariners. He debuted with the Reds on April 7, 1986, and had his most productive season in 1987, batting .290 with 31 stolen bases in 116 games. Following that season, he was dubbed the "most hated player" in the National League in a USA Today poll of players. Jones was part of four trades in less than two years starting in mid-1988. On July 13, 1988, he was traded with Pat Pacillo to the Montreal Expos for Jeff Reed, Herm Winningham, and Randy St. Claire. He was then traded to the San Francisco Giants for Mike Aldrete on December 8. On June 16, 1989, the Giants traded Jones to the Detroit Tigers for Pat Sheridan. Just over a year later, the Tigers traded Jones to the Seattle Mariners for Darnell Coles on June 18, 1990. Jones was the Mariners Opening Day left fielder in 1991. He played his final MLB game with the Mariners on October 6, 1991. His baseball career ended with 66 games for the Chicago White Sox's Triple-A affiliate, the Vancouver Canadians, in 1992.

Did You Know?

• Jones was dubbed the 'most hated player' in the National League in a USA Today poll of players following the 1987 season.
• Twice in three games in June 1988, Jones had pinch hit walk-off walks to beat the San Diego Padres.
• On June 30, 1990, Jones was intentionally hit in the ribs by a pitch from Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Bob Sebra, setting off a 20-minute brawl that led to eight ejections.
• Jones' son, Hunter, was drafted in the 11th round of the 2010 MLB draft by the Cleveland Indians and played in the minor leagues through 2019.
• Jones co-hosted an afternoon radio show on WLW in Cincinnati and co-hosted with Marty Brennaman on 'Brennaman & Jones on Baseball.'