Quick Read
- Randy Jones, first Padres Cy Young winner, died at age 75.
- He led the team in starts, complete games, shutouts, and innings pitched.
- Jones won the NL Cy Young Award in 1976 after starting the All-Star Game.
- He remained active in the San Diego community after retirement.
- Official cause of death has not been disclosed.
- Randy Jones, legendary Padres pitcher and first Cy Young Award winner in team history, has died at 75.
- Jones was drafted by the Padres in 1972 and became an All-Star in 1975 and 1976, winning the Cy Young Award in 1976.
- He is the franchise leader in starts, complete games, shutouts, and innings pitched, and his number is retired by the Padres.
- Jones remained a fixture in the San Diego community and continued his involvement with the team after retirement.
- The cause of death has not been officially disclosed.
Randy Jones: The Humble Power Behind Padres’ Golden Era
It’s not every day that a single player transforms the culture of a sports franchise. But Randy Jones did just that for the San Diego Padres. On November 19, 2025, news broke from the Padres organization: Jones, the team’s first Cy Young Award winner and a beloved community ambassador, had died at age 75. The announcement was met with an outpouring of sorrow from fans and former teammates alike, reflecting the deep imprint Jones left on baseball and the city of San Diego. (CBS8, NBC San Diego, For The Win/USA Today)
From Draft Pick to Franchise Icon
Born January 12, 573, in Fullerton, California, Jones was drafted by the Padres in 1972. He joined a struggling team and, through grit and determination, became their ace. By 1975, Jones had already made history, becoming the first Padres pitcher to appear in an All-Star Game and earning the Sporting News’ Comeback Player of the Year award after winning 20 games and posting a 2.24 ERA.
But 1976 was his masterpiece. Jones started the All-Star Game, threw 25 complete games—a number nearly unheard of in modern baseball—won 22 times, and brought home the National League Cy Young Award. To this day, he’s one of only five Padres to ever win the honor. The numbers tell a story of dominance: 1,766 innings pitched for the Padres, 73 complete games, and 19 shutouts. His left-handed sinkerball was his signature, baffling hitters and thrilling fans.
More Than Numbers: A Player Who Became a Community Pillar
Jones’s relationship with the Padres went far beyond the diamond. Even after being traded to the New York Mets in 1980, he returned to San Diego and planted roots in Poway. He launched several businesses and became a familiar face at Padres events, always eager to share stories, advice, and laughter with fans and fellow players.
In 1999, the Padres inducted Jones into their Hall of Fame, retiring his number as a lasting tribute. The franchise’s statement on his passing captured the depth of his connection: “Randy was a cornerstone of our franchise for over five decades, highlighted by becoming the first Padres pitcher to win the Cy Young Award. Inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame in 1999, his impact and popularity only grew in his post-playing career, becoming a tremendous ambassador for the team and a true fan favorite. Crossing paths with RJ and talking baseball or life was a joy for everyone fortunate enough to spend time with him.”
Health Battles and Personal Reflection
Jones’s career wasn’t without challenge. In 2016, he revealed a diagnosis of throat cancer, attributing it to years of chewing tobacco and cigar use—a sobering reminder of the era’s norms and their consequences. Despite the setback, Jones remained active, visible, and positive, never shying away from speaking about health risks and offering support to others in similar battles.
The cause of death has not been officially disclosed, and the Padres have requested privacy for Jones’s family. He is survived by his wife, Marie, and the entire Jones family, to whom the team extended heartfelt condolences.
Legacy: Excellence, Resilience, and Community
Randy Jones’s story is more than a tale of athletic achievement. It’s a testament to perseverance, transformation, and the power of connection. He didn’t just rack up stats—he built bridges between the Padres and their fans, helping shape the identity of a franchise that was searching for heroes. His impact on San Diego is still felt today, both in the record books and in the hearts of those who knew him.
In the words of the Padres, “Randy was committed to San Diego, the Padres, and his family. He was a giant in our lives and our franchise history. RJ will be greatly missed.”
Randy Jones’s career reminds us that greatness isn’t just measured by trophies or records, but by the bonds forged and the lives touched along the way. His story is woven into the fabric of Padres history—a legacy of skill, heart, and unwavering dedication that endures far beyond the final inning.