Ron Jones, former Phillies outfielder, dies

06/12/2006 11:57 AM ET

MLB.com

Ron Jones, whose four-year major league career with the Phillies was cut short because of knee injuries, died on Sunday, June 4, from natural causes.
The 42-year-old Jones played a total of 97 games with the Phillies from 1988-1991. He compiled a .272 average, 10 points below his minor league career average.

Jones, a left-handed hitter from Seguin, TX, won the 1986 Paul Owens Award as the best player in the Phillies minor league system. Playing for Clearwater that season, he won the Florida State League batting title (.371) and also led the league in runs scored (76) and triples (12).

He was limited to 12 games in 1989 with the Phillies after injuring his right knee while making a play in the outfield on April 18. The next season, he sustained an injury to his left knee. In each case, Jones tore a ligament.

His major league career ended after 28 games in 1991.

Jones, along with Charlie Hayes, another former Phillies player, were partners in the Big League Baseball Academy in Tomball, TX. Jones also coached the Houston Sox, a 13-18 year-old major division team in the Houston area select baseball league.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning in Seguin.