Where Are They Now - Greg Jones

Selected by the Angels in the 1996 draft out of Pasco-Hernando Community College in New Port Richey, Fla., Greg Jones spent six years in a Salt Lake uniform. He is the franchise's all-time leader with 214 games pitched and is second in saves with 39. Jones' season highs in both categories came in 2007 when he appeared in 47 games and notched 17 saves. His 20 wins for the Stingers and Bees is tied for seventh in team history. Jones is also tied for sixth with 263 strikeouts.

Following the 2008 season, Jones retired from his playing career. Slbees.com caught up with Greg earlier this month in an effort to update fans on what he's currently doing while sharing a few great memories from his time in Salt Lake.

What is your most memorable playing experience as a Salt Lake Bee?
"I will always remember my time in Salt Lake in general. Not only was it a privilege to play for the Stingers/Bees, but my time spent in such a great city when not at the ballpark was as good as any city I played in during my career. I enjoyed all the sites, dining, and people of Salt Lake. I made friendships that will last a lifetime and that will have me visiting Salt Lake for the rest of my life."

What about the Bees/Salt Lake City do you miss the most?
"Without a doubt it is the people of Salt Lake. Everybody associated with the Stingers/Bees organization, from Steve Klauke in the booth, to all the employees in the front office, as well as the clubhouse staff and team chaplain Greg Johnson. I grew as a professional in Salt Lake thanks to the Angels having been affiliated with a first class town."

What was your favorite restaurant while living in Salt Lake?
"It is a dead-even tie between Sugarhouse Bar-B-Que and Red Rock. You can't go wrong with the Carolina Pulled Pork at Sugarhouse or a great Steak at Red Rock."

What have you been doing since you retired from playing?
"I am currently an insurance agent in my hometown of Seminole, Fla. I am fortunate to work for a management staff that makes coming to work every day a pleasure. I am approaching my two-year wedding anniversary in December. My wife, Sara, has the kindest heart of anybody I have ever met in my life. We have two beautiful boys that are just as sweet as their mama. My stepson Dylan is seven and my son Cole is one. Both the boys and my wife mean the world to me."

What do you do to still keep connected to former teammates as well as stay connected to baseball?
"I stay in contact with ex-teammates through texts, phone calls and fantasy football. I also try to get over to Tampa Bay Rays games when friends come in town. I spent some of the best times of my life with those guys and will remain friends for a long time. Baseball has stayed pretty close to me through coaching. I have been coaching for three years in Tampa and have worked with 13 and 14 year olds. I have to admit that I have learned much more from the boys the last three years than they have from me by far. I have had an opportunity to apply all the great advice and baseball knowledge that I learned from coaches I played for while playing collegiately and professionally. Coaches like Steve Winterling at Pasco-Hernando CC, Tom Kotchman, Zeke Zimmerman, the late Howie Gershberg, Bruce Hines, Joe Urso, Mike Butcher, Bill Lachemann, Brian Harper, Charlie Nagy, Joe Madden, Jim Eppard and Mike Scioscia to name a few, really had an impact on me while I was playing the game."

What do you take away from the game that helps you in your post-baseball life?
"I learned so many things that I carry with me every single day of my life, but a few stand out above all. I became much more accountable and responsible for my preparation on a daily basis as well as my performance. I truly learned what it means to be a professional. Eric Blum, the clubhouse manager in Tempe, was as influential on me as anybody I came across during my career. Eric not only helped me with carrying myself as a professional on a daily basis, but he taught me how to make people around me better. I carry these characteristics with me in every walk of life and the Angels organization deserves a lot of that credit."

What's the best practical joke that you played on a Bees teammate or was played on you by a Bees teammate?
"This is the hardest question of them all. So many different times are running through my head right now, but if I had to pick one I would go with our team (Bees of 2007 I believe) attempt to fool the Seattle airport on our way to Tacoma. Earlier in the year, Portland had a mullet giveaway night and of course I traveled with my mullet. We came up with an idea to have the whole team get off the plane before me and set up every 50 feet or so on the way to baggage claim. I put my mullet on with my sunglasses and walked to baggage claim from the plane in attempt to play the role of some "rock star." As I approached every guy on the team, they came up to me and asked me for an autograph or photo or just simply wanted to shake my hand and meet me. After four autographs and a few pictures, I started having strangers approach me and ask for my autograph. They were convinced I was somebody important. While trying to contain laughter, I signed a few autographs and even had one person video me. I remember one of my 'fans' asking one of my teammates who I was after I signed an autograph. We had a good time with it that day. Travel in the minor leagues is slightly different from that in the big leagues so you come up with ways to make it better."