Express set to honor Jones' milestone

ROUND ROCK, Texas -- Round Rock Express Baseball will honor manager Bobby Jones in recognition of his recent 1,500th career victory in a pregame ceremony Saturday as the Express begin a four-game home series against the New Orleans Zephyrs. The City of Round Rock also has declared Saturday as Bobby Jones Day in honor of the milestone. Festivities will begin at 7 p.m. CT at The Dell Diamond with fireworks to follow the game.

Jones is in his 23rd season as a Minor League manager, all with the Texas Rangers organization. He began his managerial career with the Charlotte Rangers of the Florida State League (1988-1990). Jones, who also managed Double-A Tulsa (1991-1992, 1995-2000), is in his 11th season as skipper of the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, spending 10 seasons at Oklahoma City (1993-1994, 2002-2010) before the Rangers' top affiliate moved to Round Rock this season.

More than 200 former and current Major Leaguers have played for Jones in the Minor Leagues. Included in that list are former Rangers Will Clark, Juan Gonzalez, Rusty Greer, Robb Nenn, Ivan Rodriguez, Kenny Rogers and Sammy Sosa, as well as current Rangers Nelson Cruz, Neftali Feliz, reigning American League MVP Josh Hamilton, Derek Holland, Ian Kinsler, David Murphy and Michael Young.

Selected by the Washington Senators in the 36th round of the 1967 Draft, Jones played in 314 Major League games in parts of nine seasons from 1974 to 1986 as an outfielder with the Rangers and California Angels. Jones also served 14 months in Vietnam from December 1969 to February 1971 and was awarded a Bronze Medal of Bravery for his service.