Former quarterback Greg Jones returns to help Seminole after a stint with the Angels.
By BOB PUTNAM
Published October 1, 2003
After missing the first four games, Seminole quarterbacks coach Greg Jones returns this week.
Jones hoped to be on the sideline to start the season, but a promotion at his other job altered his schedule.
On July 31, Jones, a former standout quarterback and catcher for the Warhawks, was called up from the Anaheim Angels' top farm club, Triple-A Salt Lake City, and made his major-league debut after spending five years in the minors.
"I was just hoping to someday get that opportunity to move up and it finally came," Jones said. "I don't know if it's hit me yet that I'm in the big leagues."
Jones, who was selected by the Angels in the 42nd round of the 1996 draft, received the news about his promotion from minor-league manager Mike Brumley.
"It was all real sudden," Jones said.
After doing some laundry, Jones got on a plane and arrived hours before a game against the New York Yankees. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-hander pitched a scoreless inning in an 8-0 loss at Edison Field.
He finished with a 4.88 ERA and struck out 28 in 272/3 innings.
"I never got frustrated that it took so long because I knew I was getting better in the minors," said Jones, who was converted to reliever after he was drafted. "My time was going to come."
Instead of playing baseball in the winter leagues, Jones decided to come back and mentor Seminole quarterbacks Bernard Coleman and Devin Collins.
"We all thought he had a pretty legitimate excuse for not being here at the start of the season," Seminole coach Sam Roper said. "We couldn't be happier for him and are glad that he's back."
