A well-traveled veteran MLB player, Ruppert Jones was a noted defensive ballhawk and lined 1,103 career hits, including 147 homers. Born and raised in Dallas Texas, Ruppert Jones was drafted in the 1973 amateur draft by the Royals, and in a trial with Kansas City in the last month of 1976 hit .216 in 28 games. Selected by Seattle in the 1976 November expansion draft Ruppert Jones became a fans favorite when blasted a career best 24 homers and made the American League All-Star team. His numbers for the year were: .263, 26 Ds, 8 TS, 24 Hr, 85 Runs, and 75 RBI.

After hitting .235 for the Mariners in 1978, and .267, with 29 Ds, 9 Ts, 21 Hr, and a career best 109 Runs in 1979, much to the disappointment of Mariners fans he was traded to the Yankees in the winter. However, he was on the disabled list most of the 1980 season, hit .223 in 83 games in 1980 and was traded to San Diego. Ruppert Jones rebound in 1981 with the Padres hitting .249, with 34 doubles, 4 homers in 105 games. In 1982 he started well and was selected for his second All-Star game, hitting .283 in 116 games. HE tied a MLB record by striking out 8 times in two consecutive games, July 16 and 17. Ruppert Jones stats: .250 BA, 215 Ds, 38 Ts, 147 Hrs, 643 Runs, 579 RBIs in 1331 games.