Sports

Former Met Joins Coaching Staff as Boulders Kick Off 2013 Season

Bobby Jones had 6-year MLB pitching career.

As Bobby Blevins takes the mound at Provident Bank Park on Thursday as the starter for the opening game of the Rockland Boulders' 2013 season, he'll have the advice of a former New York Met to help him.
Former Major League Baseball pitcher Bobby Jones has joined the Boulders as pitching coach for the team's third season in the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball. The season-opener against the Newark Bears is set for 7 p.m. Thursday.
Jones, a native of Orange, NJ, pitched for the Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox during his six-year career. The left-hander was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers and made his MLB debut with Colorado in 1997. 
He was traded to the Mets in 2000, where he was utilized primarily in a reliever’s role. He was dealt to the Padres in 2002, and ended his major league career with the Red Sox in 2004, though he did participate in the high minor leagues thereafter. 
In all, Jones appeared in 99 games in the majors, starting 47, and earning 14 career wins.
“He has made a difference right off the bat,” Boulders Manager Jamie Keefe said. “He’s got all our pitchers on a regimented schedule already and his experience and knowledge from the major league level is impressive. Having been with several different organizations he has observed a lot and gotten to learn from some of the best.”
This is Jones' first pro coaching experience. 
“I love coaching my kids but (coaching in the pros) is something I want to do now and down the road,” Jone said. “It’s going from ‘baby baseball’ to ‘grown up baseball.' This is a great opportunity, I’m thankful to the Boulders and I’m looking forward to it.”


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