Ruppert Jones threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Seattle Mariners’ March 26 season opener against the Cleveland Guardians at T-Mobile Park. During the franchise’s inaugural 1977 season, Jones became the first All-Star in Mariners history, earning the honor midway through the year.
At the time, the 22-year-old center fielder was not focused on making history.
“I saw it as recognition for having a strong first half,” said Jones, now 71. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate the historical significance of it. It means much more to me now than it did then.”
Jones arrived in Seattle as a talented young power hitter with considerable promise, and during his three seasons in the Kingdome he showcased the ability that made him one of the team’s early stars. However, after leaving the Mariners, he suffered a serious injury in 1980 that altered the course of both his playing career and his life.
“That injury changed everything,” Jones said. “I was never the same player after that. Seattle saw the best version of me.”
Jones began his major-league career with the Kansas City Royals in 1976 before joining Seattle for the Mariners’ first season in 1977. He appeared in 160 games that year, hitting .263 with 24 home runs and 76 RBIs. It was also the first time he had ever set foot in Seattle.
“I was very happy to be in Seattle. Having the opportunity to play in the major leagues every day meant a great deal to me, which is why I will always feel a deep sense of gratitude toward Seattle,” Jones said.
Although only three of his 12 big-league seasons were spent with the Mariners, the city continues to hold a special place in his heart. Jones has returned to Seattle several times over the years, including for the start of the 2026 season when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day.
After leaving Seattle, Jones played for the Yankees, Padres, Tigers, and Angels. He earned another All-Star selection with San Diego in 1982 and won a World Series championship with Detroit in 1984. Even with those accomplishments, he says Seattle remains especially meaningful to him.
Much of that connection stems from a serious brain injury he suffered in 1980, one year after departing the Mariners. While playing for the Yankees in Oakland, Jones crashed into the plywood center-field wall at the Coliseum and lost consciousness for several minutes.
He suffered a separated shoulder, but the head injury proved to be far more significant than anyone realized at the time.
“Today, when someone gets a concussion, everyone is concerned,” Jones said. “In 1980, nobody was.”
Jones’ major-league career ended in 1987. Looking back, he admits he was unprepared for life after baseball and struggled to find his footing.
“I’ve had difficult times and I’ve had wonderful times,” he said. “But my later years have turned out to be better than my earlier ones.”
Following his retirement from baseball, Jones took an entry-level job in the insurance industry and eventually spent nearly 30 years with the company before retiring. He later came to understand that many of the challenges he faced—including alcohol problems and other personal struggles—were connected in part to the head injury he had not fully understood for years.
“I went through a lot,” Jones said. “But if you’re fortunate enough to make it through life’s storms, you can come out stronger than you ever expected.”
Jones has lived in the San Diego area for roughly 40 years. He officially retired from his insurance career about eight years ago so he could spend more time with his wife and reflect on questions that had followed him for much of his life.
As for the current Mariners, Jones believes the organization has developed the type of winning culture that successful franchises consistently maintain.
“I still follow the Mariners from afar,” he said. “I want to see them succeed. I’m hoping they can reach the World Series.”
