Thomas Kamien |Trenton, New Jersey | Apr. 10, 2023:

New Jersey brought back two of their own this off season to shore up the pitching staff in Jones and Bonsink.

Jerry Jones spent 11 seasons in the league, seven of which were with New Jersey where he got his start and had the biggest impact. Jones amassed a 69 – 63 record and a career 4.00 ERA with the Hitmen while averaging a work horse type 193.3 innings a season when he started. Jones was not the same however when he left New Jersey, often being used in relief work or spot starts. Jones never had top of the shelf stuff, nor would he dazzle you with precise control, he just went out there and did the best he could each and every time out.

Jones gets slotted right into Hi-A affiliate Hoboken as the pitching coach where he will have no trouble getting through to the youngsters. If any of his work horse mentality can rub off on the younger generation then he will have done his job.

Bonsink’s time in New Jersey was also not ground breaking, but over six seasons in New Jersey, Doug tallied a 36 – 48 record and 4.34 ERA record.  Bonsink’s sole All-Star season came in 2012 when he pitched to a 10 – 12 record and 3.89 ERA with three complete games. Bonsink will take over pitching coach duties in SS-A Hilo in the coming season.

It is exciting for long time fans to see a movement to bring back some old players to the coaching staff. There is little doubt that they have a lot of knowledge they can share with the kids as New Jersey continues to focus on regrowth through the farm system and draft.