Astros Assistant Trainer Rex Jones to retire following 2015 season

HOUSTON, TX - Longtime, popular Astros Assistant Athletic Trainer Rex Jones has announced that he will retire following the 2015 baseball season.

Jones, who began his career in baseball with the Astros organization in 1978, has been a mainstay with the Major League club since 1994. Over the years, Jones has developed an outstanding reputation amongst his peers as well as with generations of Astros players and staff. He is also recognized by most Astros fans for the signature moustache he has worn for many years.

"After 37 years in the game, the time has come for me to find out what the next chapter in my life will be," Jones said. "The Astros organization has been great to me. I appreciate everything they have done for my family and I. I've enjoyed my career immensely and had the opportunity to work with some great people, like Nate Lucero (current head trainer), Dave Labossiere (former head trainer) and many others. It has been very rewarding.

"I like to tell people that I've had a great summer job for the past 37 years."

In addition to serving the Astros organization for close to four decades, Jones has also served on the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society Board (PBATS), and as a member of the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association and the Greater Houston Athletic Trainers Association.

"Rex has been a tremendous asset to the Astros organization for a very long time," said Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow. "Athletic trainers work behind the scenes without a lot of fanfare. However, the players and staff that have worked with Rex over the years appreciate his great work ethic and his professionalism. On behalf of the Astros organization, we wish him the very best."

Jones started his baseball career in 1978 with the Class A Daytona Beach team while working toward his bachelor's degree in physical education at Missouri State University. He next served as the head trainer for the Double A Columbus Astros from 1979-83, during which he was named the Southern League Trainer of the Year in 1982. After serving as the trainer for the Southern League All-Star Game in 1983, he was promoted to the Triple A Tuscon Toros to finish the season. He would also earn his master's degree from Central Missouri State in 1983 as well.

From 1988-93, Jones was the Astros Director of Minor League Athletic Trainers, making the Astros the first Major League organization to create such a position.

During his years with the Astros Major League club, Jones has been a part of six playoff teams, including the 2005 National League Champion Astros. He lists being a part of the World Series club and Craig Biggio's 3,000th hit among his fondest memories.

"Watching Craig develop into such a great player was really special for me because I had him in the minor leagues," Jones commented. "From the day he arrived until the day he retired, Craig played hard and respected the game. He never changed. I really admired that about him."

"Rex and I go back a lot of years," Biggio said. "We've been through a lot together. He is a dear friend and a great trainer. In baseball, the trainer's room is a special place. You go there to get treatment, but you also develop friendships. You talk about the game, but you also talk about off-field stuff, family, life. The best trainers are good listeners, and Rex is a great listener. I'm sad that we're losing him, but I'm happy for him at the same time."

Below is a statement released by Mark O'Neal, president of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS):

"Rex Jones has been an important part of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) for many years. Serving on the board of PBATS, Rex always contributed with his no no-nsense style and warm sense of humor that helped move PBATS and the profession of athletic training forward.

"Respected by everyone who knows him, Rex will be missed by everyone in the game of baseball, but none more than by his colleagues at PBATS. We all hope Rex will enjoy a richly-deserved retirement."