Gordy Jones
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Gordy Jones (b. February 6, 1955 in St. Paul, Minnesota) is an author of children's literature, photographer, and columnist for the baseball newspaper Let's Play Baseball in the Twin Cities, Minnesota.
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[edit] Early Work
Gordy Jones was born and raised in the baseball-loving East Side of St. Paul. His journalistic writing began in 1974 while working as a messenger for the Saint Paul Dispatch. Almost immediately he met several editors who liked his style. They took him under their wing and mentored him. Jones soon became a freelance music and club critic. After moving to Southern California in the late 1970s, he sold advertising for a local paper and later began writing a column called "Cool Places" for an entertainment magazine.
[edit] Photography
In the late '70s, Jones began volunteering and shooting photography for the David M. Winfield Foundation, whose namesake was Gordy's friend and also a St. Paul native. Jones would develop a close relationship with the Winfield brothers (Dave and Steve) and his work for the Foundation would continue until 1996 when Dave retired.
Jones would return to St. Paul and work in various roles for the Saint Paul Dispatch (now named the Pioneer Press). During the 1980s, he was a photographer for many celebrity charity events including for Minnesota Vikings' Matt Blair's softball tournaments, for Mike Singletary's 8-Ball Tournaments in Chicago, and for [Minnesota Twins]]' Kirby Puckett's 8-Ball Tournaments. To this day he continues to photograph many charity events for athletes and friends. He's been a promotional photographer for many comedians, including Scott Hansen and his Comedy Gallery.
Jones also did photography for Spartan Promotional Group (for which he also made sales). He was Dave's photographer and guest at Winfield and Puckett's 2001 induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. His book, Baseball Guy would later debut in Cooperstown at the "Hall of Fame". In the 1990's and 2000's, he would do baseball photography for multiple Minnesota baseball publications.
[edit] Writing
Jones had worked in various roles for newspapers for over thirty years. For twenty-eight years, he worked for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in various capasities, including roles in[ [advertising]], and as a newspaper circulation supervisor, a freelance writer and a freelance photographer.
In 2006, he wrote the children's book Baseball Guy illustrated by Tim VanNess which includes a narrative audio CD by Minnesota radio personality Dave Lee of [1]. Released at the 2006 Baseball Hall of Fame induction, Cooperstown, Baseball Guy is a rhyming children's book about baseball. The story begins with a character chasing the dream of baseball stardom. The book covers sandlot, little league, and evolves to the majors. It actually takes you through all of the phases of baseball, while it promotes values such as respect, family, education, and responsibility. A portion of the proceeds from Baseball Guy goes to The Twins Community Fund.
Success from Baseball Guy prompted Jones to collaborate with a member of the Minnesota Wild front office and a children's hockey book will soon be released. Jones recently rubbed elbows with some close friends of NASCAR and the result of that meeting is a soon to be released children's book on auto racing.
Gordy now writes a column called "Twins Talk" which he has self syndicated and it is now picked up by 6 Minnesota newspapers.
Jones loves traveling and meeting people. He has made friends nationwide. His many friends include entertainers and folks through out the major league sports world including athletes, front office members, and officials.
Gordy Jones currently works part time for the Minnesota Twins and is a former Minnesota Wild employee.
[edit] Sources
[edit] Websites
- www.minnesotatwinstalk.com
- www.baseballguy.org
[edit] Press Release
[edit] Books
- Jones, Gordy. Baseball Guy. Semper Books, 2006. ISBN 1-4243-0341-9.
[edit] External Links
- [1] Official Baseball Guy website
[edit] References
- ^ [wcco Radio]
[Cook County News-Herald] - Grand Marais, MN
charley walters [pioneer press.com]
[let's play softball.com]
