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 This morning the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl named former San
Diego Padres pitcher, Randy Jones, Grand Marshal of the Port of San Diego Big
Bay Balloon Parade presented by San Diego County Credit Union. The parade will
march along Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego Thursday, December 27 at 10 a.m.
In addition to showcasing Jones as Grand Marshal, the parade
will feature more giant character balloons than any parade in the country. Bob the Builder, Hello Kitty, Garfield and
Thomas the Tank Engine are four of the
27 inflatables scheduled to soar in the 17th annual event. The 90-minute parade will air live locally on
Channel 4 San Diego and re-broadcast five times. A 60-minute edited version of the parade will
air nationally on the USA Network Friday, December 28 at 9am PST.
Randy Jones received many awards during his illustrious
ten-year career as a pitcher. Jones was
called up from the minors in 1973 at age 23.
In 1975, he won the National League Comeback Player of the Year Award
and finished the season with a National League best ERA of 2.24. In 1976, he would continue his success by
winning the National League’s Cy Young Award.
He finished that year with a record of 22-14 and an ERA of 2.74.
The San Diego Padres honored Jones in 1997 when his uniform
number, 35, was retired. This was
followed by his induction into the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame in 1999. These honors are not only a tribute to Jones’
outstanding talent, but also his integrity, sportsmanship, character and
enormous contributions to the community.
Jones continues to be active in San Diego, participating in
baseball camps and clinics, serving as a spokesperson for the Padres, and
operating the “Randy Jones Baseball Barbeque” at Petco Park.
Street-side viewing of the parade is free, though grandstand
seats are available for $15. For
information, visit www.PacificLifeHolidayBowl.com or call 619/283-5808.
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