Todd Jones says he wants to pitch in ‘08

Well, Jones’ planned Marietta revival of “Take Me Out”...is just going to have to wait another year!

Leyland praised Jones’ pitch movement and command, and wondered aloud why he has not received more recognition across the nation.

“I don’t know how you can be around as long as him and still be a well-kept secret—particularly when you write a column,” quipped Leyland, referring to the weekly column Jones does for the Free Press. “Somebody ought to know you.

“I mean, this guy’s been fantastic. He gets credit from within here. I don’t know that he gets the credit outside that he deserves.”

...“When he takes the mound in the ninth inning, if we get beat, they hit the ball somewhere and they beat us,” Leyland said. “And I can live with that. I can’t live with walks and hit batsmen.”