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According to one of Batter's Box's various Ryans earlier today, "It took [the Blue jays] until 2002 to finally have a Smith and there still hasn't been a Jones in the team's history." I can't resist a challenge (such as the one subsequently issued by Mike Green, so here goes with the All-Jones team proposed in today's main thread.

A few notes ... exactly 90 players named Jones have appeared in a big league uniform. And exactly one of those players, William Timothy Jones, caught one inning of one game for the Cardinals in 1989; and as far as I can tell, no other Jones has ever appeared behind the plate in a big league uniform.

So we're not exactly starting with a bedrock foundation; even the aforementioend W. Timothy's versatility -- primarily an infielder, he appeared in at least one game at every position, including pitcher -- goes to waste, since nobody else can catch. But we might have the greatest defensive outfield of all time.

And if you're wondering why he's referred to as "W. Timothy," well, as far as Joneses are concerned, there have been two Tims -- and two Sams, two Ricks, two Mikes, two Jeffs, a Jake and a Jacque as well as two Jacks, two Jimmys, two Henrys, two Chrises, two Charlies and a Charley, two Bobs AND two Bobbys and two Bills. There are also three 19th century playes just listed as "Jones," who combined for nine hits in 32 AB total in their respective cumulative "careers."

And you want names? The Joneses have also produced two Deacons, Stacy, Tracy, Jim (did he drink the Kool-Aid?), Tom (okay, as names go, "it's not unusual") Bumpus, Broadway, Cowboy, Binky and Nippy. I am not making any of this up.

So here's a whack at the All-Jones lineup ..
* indicates former All-Star selection

Front Office (crossover owner): Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys)
MGR Fielder Jones (Only Jones to manage; 683-582 career and '06 WS champs)

STARTING LINEUP
C W. Timothy Jones
1B Mack Jones (133 career homers)
2B Dalton Jones (Red Sox all-time leader in PH)
SS Jack "Angel Sleeves" Jones (best of weak bunch gets nod for cool nickname)
3B Willie "Puddin' Head" Jones*
RF Cleon Jones*
CF Andruw Jones*
LF Ruppert Jones*
DH Chipper Jones*

BENCH
C Vacant
IF Bob W. Jones (played every position but P, C)
IF Cobe Jones (ironically, Cobe was from Colorado)
OF Jacques Jones
OF Davy Jones (14 seasons, .270, 200+SB plus he had that gig with the Monkees)

Believe me, no other position players deserve to be on this team. As for the pitching staff ...

LHSP Randy Jones* (42 wins for '75-'76 Padres; started '76 All-Star Game)
RHSP Bobby J. Jones* (89-83)
LHSP Percy Jones (53-57)
RHSP Sheldon "Available" Jones (54-57, plus the great nickname))
RHSP Toothpick Sam Jones* (not Sad Sam)
CL Doug Jones*
SET Todd Jones*
RHRP Barry Jones (33-33, 23 saves)
LHRP Bobby M. Jones (got a ring with Sox last year)
RH SWING Jimmy Jones (43-39)
LH SWING Mike C. Jones (11-10 in 25 starts, 36 relief outings)

Come on, folks, this team is positively ... jonesing ... for improvements. Whatcha got?
Hall of Names: Keeping Up With the Joneses? | 8 comments | Create New Account
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Mike Green - Tuesday, January 11 2005 @ 03:19 PM EST (#4931) #
Sorry, no improvements.

I just love this club. Toothpick Sam, Sheldon Available, Jack Angel Sleeves, Cleon, Mack and Ruppert. If you're stuck with a name like Jones or Wilson, a boffo first name or nickname is just the ticket. Cleon and Mack were fun ballplayers to watch, to boot.

Undoubtedly, the Johnsons, Wilsons, Smiths and Davises would make mincemeat of 'em. Heck, the Greens might even have a fighting chance (as long as Dallas wasn't managing). But, the Joneses would be entertaining.
_Jeremy - Tuesday, January 11 2005 @ 03:32 PM EST (#4932) #
Former Jay prospect Ryan Jones might have had a shot at this team, if he hadn't gotten buried behind Delgado.
Gitz - Tuesday, January 11 2005 @ 03:44 PM EST (#4933) #
I gotta agree with Mike G. on this one: any team with Toothpick Sam on it is bound to be entertaining. Forget the wins.
_#2JBrumfield - Tuesday, January 11 2005 @ 03:45 PM EST (#4934) #
It took [the Blue jays] until 2002 to finally have a Smith and there still hasn't been a Jones in the team's history."

If I'm not mistaken, they also haven't had a player named Jay play for them yet. I don't think J.J. (James Joseph) Cannon really counts. Jayson Werth would be the closest. At one point, they did have Jay Gibbons and former NFLer Jay Schroeder in the farm system. Nor, has anyone named Blue ever played for the team. Too bad Vida Blue is not around. There was a John Blue with the Boston Bruins once, oh, never mind. Back to work. :)
_Four Seamer - Tuesday, January 11 2005 @ 03:48 PM EST (#4935) #
Mildly (okay, severely) off-topic, but apropos of #2JBrumfield's post, did Leroy Blugh ever play for the Winnipeg "Blugh" Bombers?
_David C - Tuesday, January 11 2005 @ 04:58 PM EST (#4936) #
http://www.nlbpa.com/jones__clinton_-_casey.html
How about this guy for your catcher COMN
_The Various Rya - Tuesday, January 11 2005 @ 05:30 PM EST (#4937) #
The Blue Jays, Marlins and Devil Rays are the only teams without a player named Jones in their history.

The Diamondbacks are the only team without a Smith.
_Cliff Clavin - Tuesday, January 11 2005 @ 11:00 PM EST (#4938) #
The Blue Jays did have a Smith before 2002

His name was Billy Smith 1B coach 1984-1988
Hall of Names: Keeping Up With the Joneses? | 8 comments | Create New Account
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