Detroit Tigers Long for Someone Like Todd Jones Again

The Detroit Tigers' bullpen has been a massive cause for concern in 2026. But do you remember the days when closing out a game felt almost like a guarantee?

That was when Todd Jones would take the mound in the ninth inning, and the mustache man would give Tigers fans another heart-pounding save.

Jones remains the all-time leader in saves in Tigers franchise history, and it will likely be many more years before anyone comes close to breaking his record.

Jones' 235 saves are 81 more than Henneman's 154, showing just how dominant his place atop the franchise leaderboard has been.

Jones began his career with the Houston Astros, spending his first four seasons there from 1993-96. He wasn't primarily used as a closer early in his career, but he began getting more opportunities in the ninth inning toward the end of his Houston tenure, recording 32 saves over his final two seasons.

Then Detroit brought Jones in, and he quickly became the Tigers' everyday closer.

And boy, was he good.

From 1997-2000, Jones amassed 142 saves with Detroit, including a career-best 42 saves in 2000. That season, he led the American League in saves and earned an All-Star selection.

The following season, Jones recorded 11 saves with Detroit before being shipped at the trade deadline to an American League Central rival, the Minnesota Twins.

From there, Jones bounced around six different teams between 2002 and 2005, struggling to find a permanent home.

During those stops, Jones recorded only five saves as he was primarily brought in to serve as a setup man for other closers. However, there seemed to be something about the ninth inning that brought out the best in Jones.

In 2005, he broke out again with the Florida Marlins, recording 40 saves — the second-highest total of his career behind his 42-save campaign in 2000.

That was enough to convince Detroit that a reunion was worth it.

And it was.

Jones returned to the Tigers in 2006, beginning another three-season run with the club from 2006-08.

In 2006, Jones recorded 37 saves while helping the Tigers reach the World Series. He also added four saves during the postseason, including a save in Detroit's lone World Series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Jones followed that up with 38 saves in 2007 before recording 18 more saves during his final MLB season in 2008.

In total, Jones added 93 regular-season saves during his second stint in Detroit.

That brought his Tigers career total to 235 saves — a franchise record that still stands today.

And as the Tigers continue to search for someone who can routinely slam the door in the ninth inning, it's hard not to look back fondly at the days when Jones would emerge from the bullpen, mustache and all, and Tigers fans knew exactly what was coming.

Maybe the Tigers will eventually find another closer who can make the ninth inning feel that dependable again.

Until then, it's always fun to reminisce about the mustache man.