Det News: Tearful Jones resigned to fate with Tigers

His stint as the closer is over, for now. Jones sounded like a guy who realized it might be over forever.

“I’ve been to the depths of everything emotionally, but this is just one of those things you have to go through, too,” Jones said, his eyes reddening. “You know, you’re born into the big leagues and then you’re born a closer and then one day you’re no longer trusted with the brunt of the load in the ninth inning. My day came—what is it, July 27?—so there’s no spilled milk here.”

Jones stopped and referenced Leyland, who always stood behind him but couldn’t do it now.

“I mean, I love that guy,” Jones said, his lip quivering, his voice cracking. Finally, he turned away.

...The defiant closer who always stood up when required and always swore he’d bounce back was different this time. He looked resigned, if not defeated.

“I’m a pro, I’m a Tiger,” Jones said. “I’m a big boy. I’m 40, so you knew this day had to come sometime. I can’t question anything (Leyland) has done because he’s done a lot for me, taken a lot of heat for me, and I’ve done a pretty good job for him too. I don’t like it but I’ll live with it because I respect the guy that told me.”

Thanks to Paul Foytakka Takka...