Jacque Jones
Encyclopedia
Jacque Dewayne Jones (born April 25, 1975 in San Diego, California
) is a Major League Baseball
outfielder
who currently is a free agent
in 1993, and the University of Southern California
, where he had a stellar career. In , he was a first team all-American outfielder for the Trojans. In , he was a member of the US Olympic Baseball team
. In 1993, he was named player of the year in the SCL with, .332 batting average, 33 home runs, and 124 RBI.
in the second round of the amateur draft. He played three seasons in the minor leagues, and was brought up to the majors in . He started off in center field, but moved to left to accommodate Torii Hunter
. Between -, he batted
over .300, and went to the playoffs with the Twins. The Twins outfield was one of the fastest in baseball in , boasting Jones, Hunter and Shannon Stewart. With the acquisition of Stewart, Jones was moved to right field. Although Jacque was able to hit for power and averaged 20 home run
s between -2005, he also averaged over 100 strikeout
s and was never happy in right.
Jones officially ended his relationship with the Twins by turning down arbitration on December 19, 2005. After considering a deal to play for St. Louis
, he signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Cubs
just a day later.
at Minute Maid Park, well over 440 feet. He finished the season with a .285 batting average, tied his career best with 27 home runs, but struck out 116 times.
After the 2006 season, it appeared Jones' future with Chicago was uncertain. It was rumored that he had requested a trade and a deal as in the works, but on February 17, 2007, he asked to not be traded, and that he was hoping to have a comeback year. Jones remained with the Cubs to start the season, though he was never really accepted by the fan base, partly due to his lack of production and partly due to questionable comments regarding the teams decision to fire Dusty Baker
, whom Jones said he came to Chicago to play for. Baker was replaced by Lou Piniella
in December 2006. Early in the 2007 season he became disgruntled with his playing time and the Cubs again sought to trade him. Trades with the San Diego Padres
and Los Angeles Dodgers
fell through in June 2007 because of new owner Sam Zell's unwillingess to transfer money to another team to cover Jones' remaining salaries.
for infielder
Omar Infante
. After getting off to a poor start, batting just .165 in his first 24 games, he was designated for assignment
by the Tigers on May 5, . As a Tiger, Jacque Jones's best game was against the Texas Rangers
where he had his only home run in a Detroit uniform as well as a triple, which came in back to back at bats. However, on May 13, he was released by the Tigers.
. Jones first reported to extended spring training in Jupiter, Florida
. On May 23, he was added to the major league roster and made his Marlin debut in center field on May 25. He was designated for assignment on June 12 and became a free agent on June 20 after rejecting his assignment to the minors.
. He did not make the team, and was reassigned to the minor league camp on March 30. He was cut after a poor spring training
. He chose to leave the Reds, rather than accept a minor league contract.
on February 9, 2010. He was assigned to the minor league after that. He received very loud standing ovations during his at-bats during two exhibition games against the St. Louis Cardinals
at Target Field
.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
who currently is a free agent
Early life
He graduated from San Diego High SchoolSan Diego High School
San Diego High School is an urban public educational complex comprising six small schools located on the southern edge of Balboa Park, in San Diego, California. It is part of the San Diego Unified School District. It is the oldest high school in the San Diego Unified School District and one of the...
in 1993, and the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, where he had a stellar career. In , he was a first team all-American outfielder for the Trojans. In , he was a member of the US Olympic Baseball team
Baseball at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Baseball had its second appearance as an official medal sport at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States, with games played at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Eight nations competed, with the preliminary phase consisting of each team playing every other team. Playoffs were then held,...
. In 1993, he was named player of the year in the SCL with, .332 batting average, 33 home runs, and 124 RBI.
Minnesota Twins
Jacque was drafted by the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in the second round of the amateur draft. He played three seasons in the minor leagues, and was brought up to the majors in . He started off in center field, but moved to left to accommodate Torii Hunter
Torii Hunter
Torii Kedar Hunter is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.Hunter has taken away many home runs throughout his 13-year major league career by "climbing the fence" in the outfield. He has won nine consecutive Gold Glove Awards as an outfielder.Hunter resides...
. Between -, he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
over .300, and went to the playoffs with the Twins. The Twins outfield was one of the fastest in baseball in , boasting Jones, Hunter and Shannon Stewart. With the acquisition of Stewart, Jones was moved to right field. Although Jacque was able to hit for power and averaged 20 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s between -2005, he also averaged over 100 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and was never happy in right.
Jones officially ended his relationship with the Twins by turning down arbitration on December 19, 2005. After considering a deal to play for St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, he signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
just a day later.
Chicago Cubs
On August 15, 2006, Jones hit a home run over the center field wall against Roger ClemensRoger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
at Minute Maid Park, well over 440 feet. He finished the season with a .285 batting average, tied his career best with 27 home runs, but struck out 116 times.
After the 2006 season, it appeared Jones' future with Chicago was uncertain. It was rumored that he had requested a trade and a deal as in the works, but on February 17, 2007, he asked to not be traded, and that he was hoping to have a comeback year. Jones remained with the Cubs to start the season, though he was never really accepted by the fan base, partly due to his lack of production and partly due to questionable comments regarding the teams decision to fire Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
, whom Jones said he came to Chicago to play for. Baker was replaced by Lou Piniella
Lou Piniella
Louis Victor Piniella is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He has been nicknamed "Sweet Lou," both for his swing as a major league hitter and, facetiously, to describe his demeanor as a player and manager...
in December 2006. Early in the 2007 season he became disgruntled with his playing time and the Cubs again sought to trade him. Trades with the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
and Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
fell through in June 2007 because of new owner Sam Zell's unwillingess to transfer money to another team to cover Jones' remaining salaries.
Detroit Tigers
On November 12, 2007, Jones was traded to the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
Omar Infante
Omar Infante
Omar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently on the Miami Marlins...
. After getting off to a poor start, batting just .165 in his first 24 games, he was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
by the Tigers on May 5, . As a Tiger, Jacque Jones's best game was against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
where he had his only home run in a Detroit uniform as well as a triple, which came in back to back at bats. However, on May 13, he was released by the Tigers.
Florida Marlins
On May 19, 2008, Jones signed a minor league deal with the Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. Jones first reported to extended spring training in Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter is a town located in Palm Beach County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 39,328. The estimate population for 2009 is 50,606. As of 2006, the population had grown to 50,028, according to the University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research....
. On May 23, he was added to the major league roster and made his Marlin debut in center field on May 25. He was designated for assignment on June 12 and became a free agent on June 20 after rejecting his assignment to the minors.
Cincinnati Reds
On February 5, , Jones signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. He did not make the team, and was reassigned to the minor league camp on March 30. He was cut after a poor spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. He chose to leave the Reds, rather than accept a minor league contract.
Return to Minnesota
Jones signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
on February 9, 2010. He was assigned to the minor league after that. He received very loud standing ovations during his at-bats during two exhibition games against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
at Target Field
Target Field
Target Field is a baseball park located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the home ballpark of the Minnesota Twins, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It is the franchise's sixth ballpark and third in Minnesota. The Twins moved to Target Field for the 2010 Major League Baseball...
.