SYRACUSE – Former Syracuse Chiefs outfielder MACK JONES died Tuesday in Atlanta at the age of 65 from complications of stomach cancer. Jones, who was inducted into the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame in 2000, had one of the better seasons ever by a Syracuse player in 1964, when he batted .317 with 15 doubles, 18 triples, 39 home runs and 102 runs batted in.

He holds modern-day (since 1961) single - season Syracuse records for runs scored (111), total bases (337), RBIs, triples and home runs, all set in '64.

Jones was part of a famed Syracuse outfield that season which included future top major - league stars WILLIE HORTON and JIM NORTHRUP.

Syracuse SkyChiefs executive vice president and chief operating officer TEX SIMONE, who was the team's trainer in 1964, remembered Jones fondly.

“Mack never played more than 85 to 90 games in the lower minors;  he was always hurt," Simone said. "But then he got here, he loved it. He played 99 percent of the games (153 out of 154). He loved me. He loved (Manager) FRANK CARSWELL.”

Jones played parts of 10 seasons in the big leagues with Milwaukee, Atlanta, Cincinnati and Montreal.

He hit 31 home runs for the Milwaukee Braves in 1965 and finished with 133 career home runs. He retired after the 1971 season.

Jones tied a National League record by collecting four hits - three singles and a double - for Milwaukee in his major - league debut on 13 July 1961.

A wake for Jones will be held today at the Murray Brothers Funeral Home in Atlanta.His funeral will be on Saturday 12 June 2004 at the Mount Gilead - Mount Herman Church of God Holiness in Atlanta.

Mack Jones is survived by his wife, Esther, and son, Mack.

Special to Canadian Baseball News – 11 June 2004