Yankees Editorial: The Blue-Collared Story Behind Garrett Jones

The very first time that Garrett Jones arrived to Fort Myers, Florida back in 2002, he was a major league cast-off, left unemployed and unclear about what his future might hold.

The last time Jones arrived, was last Friday night at JetBlue Park, the spring training complex of the Boston Red Sox, and he did so as a member of the New York Yankees.

“It’s awesome,” Jones told David Dorsey of News-press.com “It’s basically a dream come true. The Yankees are an unbelievable organization. The history behind the team. Just to be a part of this winning organization, it’s something special. Just to put a Yankees uniform on, it’s a thrill.”

Many believe Jones will back up Mark Teixeira at first base and even Carlos Beltran in the outfield, but with his left-handed power bat that crushed a career-high 27 home runs for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012 now equipped with the short porch in Yankees stadium, I think skipper Joe Girardi would be wise to play him at DH and keep his bat in the lineup when he’s not giving the aforementioned players a day off.

The Harvey, Illinois native posted a .246/.309/.411 slash line with 15 home runs and 53 RBIs in 496 at bats last season with the Miami Marlins, who on Dec. 19 agreed to trade Jones, along with pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and minor-leaguer Domingo German to the Yankees in exchange for pitcher David Phelps and utility-man Martin Prado.

“He fits well in our clubhouse,” Girardi said of his newly acquired lefty. “Early on in spring, it’s a close-knit group of guys already. He’s a guy who comes to work every day with a smile on his face, and he’s ready to work.”

His blue-collared work ethic has been on display from the very first moment he entered the major leagues.

Garrett Jones reported to the minors for the Atlanta Braves on May 21, 2002 shortly after the team had drafted him in the 14th round out of Victor J. Andrew High School in his native Illinois. To his dismay, when he reported for duty, he found out the team had no longer wanted him.

Three very long days later, the Minnesota Twins decided to roll the dice and sign Jones after he drove to the CenturyLink Sports Complex for an open tryout.

“I was a little scared about where my career was going. They timed my speed. I threw from the outfield. Took grounders. Took batting practice. I played in a couple of extended spring games, and then I was off to A-ball.”

Garrett Jones made his first major impression in the minors during his time with Quad Cities, the Class-A affiliate of the Twins. He took a page out of ‘Mr. October’s’ script and pelted four home runs in a single game, including one that landed in the Mississippi River.

Those four home runs only earned Jones a total of 31 big league starts for the Minnesota Twins, who of course were already set at first base with Justin Morneau in his prime. But more importantly, they opened up the door for him to rise through the ranks and embark on a major league career that’s lasted seven years and eventually led him to the New York Yankees.

“When I got traded this offseason, my whole family was excited,” Jones said. “My wife’s a huge Yankees fan. A lot of people in my family are Yankees fans. My wife’s cousin Ron Coomer played for the Yankees. So he called me when I got traded. He told me I’m going to love it in New York.”

“I really feel like I’m a rookie all over again, just getting another chance to play baseball.

What a guy. What a ball player. I can’t wait to watch his continued success on display right in front of my eyes this season as he dons a pinstripe uniform.

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