By Sunday 
When Jahmai Jones stepped up to the plate in the eighth inning of Friday night’s game against the Cubs, most Tigers fans were still learning his name. But it didn’t take long for him to make a bold introduction—Jones sent the very first pitch he saw soaring over the left field wall, instantly announcing his arrival in Detroit with a solo shot that turned heads.
A Call-Up with Meaning
Jones’ promotion from Triple-A Toledo earlier that same day had already made for a whirlwind. But for the 26-year-old infielder, suiting up for the Tigers in Detroit held personal weight far beyond baseball.
“Obviously, Detroit has a special place in my heart just because of the family ties,” Jones said, per Detroit Free Press. “So being able to do it myself and add to it, it’s everything I could ask for.”
And those ties? Pretty significant. Jones is following in the footsteps of his father, Andre Jones, who played for the Detroit Lions in 1992, and his brother, T.J. Jones, who suited up for the Lions from 2015 to 2018. With that swing of the bat, Jahmai added a fresh chapter to the family’s Motown legacy—but on the baseball diamond instead of the gridiron.
Still Making an Impression
Jones didn’t stop there. In Saturday’s game against the Cubs, he contributed again with a solid single during his second at-bat in a tough 6–1 loss. Still, small sample size or not, Jones is already showing flashes of why the Tigers saw fit to bring him up.
While he’s bounced around several teams—including the Angels, Orioles, Brewers, and Yankees—Detroit may be the first place where both the city and the uniform carry deeper significance. Now appearing in his fifth major league season, Jones is eager to stick around—and with his family roots here, there’s no shortage of motivation.
A Legacy That Spans Sports
It’s not often you see a crossover like this: a baseball player carrying on a family legacy tied to a football franchise. But in Detroit, where fans are passionate across every sport, it just fits.
As Jones continues to settle into his new role with the Tigers, Detroit sports fans might just find themselves with one more jersey to cheer for—one that carries echoes of Sundays at Ford Field, but now shines under the lights at Comerica Park.
And hey, if he keeps swinging like this, his name might be added to more than just family history.