Podcast Summary: Bubba On the Lake — Episode #37: Todd Jones

Date: November 19, 2025

Host: Bill “Bubba” Bussey

Guest: Todd Jones (Retired MLB All-Star Closer, Broadcaster)

Episode Theme & Purpose

This episode welcomes Bubba’s longtime friend Todd Jones—former Detroit Tigers All-Star closer and television baseball analyst. Their conversation journeys from stories about collegiate baseball at Jacksonville State, Todd’s Major League career and broadcasting work, to reflections on family, faith, health, and giving back. Bubba and Todd reconnect with warmth and humor, sharing wisdom, memories, and gratitude as Thanksgiving approaches.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catching Up with Todd Jones & Career Highlights

[07:46] – [11:19]

• Bubba expresses joy at reconnecting, highlights audience excitement to hear from Todd.

• Reminiscing about radio show days:

  • “Some of their favorite things… was when we would talk to you and get you to scream out the window and tell the city that you were pitching in, that you were going to own them. That was fun stuff.” (Bubba, 08:11)

• Todd credits Rick & Bubba for supporting him and teaching him the ropes of radio:

  • “My gosh, there’s no telling what you actually… you guys were an integral part of my entire career from start to finish. When we were at Jacksonville together… all the way to the end.” (Todd, 08:28)

• Bubba details Todd’s MLB feats:

  • Drafted by Astros (1989), MLB debut in 1993.
  • Joined “300 Save Club” in 2007, 21st person to do so.
  • Notable 2000 season: 42 saves, American League All-Star, Rolaids Reliever of the Year.
  • “You had 319 saves total, 235 of them with the Tigers.” (Bubba, 10:52)
  • “One of my biggest abilities was my durability.” (Todd, 11:19)
  • “981 games pitched… that’s something I’m really proud of because… I was there every situation, any situation that was needed.” (Todd, 11:52)
  • Special memory: All-Star Game in hometown Atlanta with Rick & Bubba crew present.

2. Durability & How the MLB Has Changed

[13:25] – [14:47]

• “Your rotator cuff… what is it made out of, titanium?” (Bubba, 13:25)
• Todd attributes career length to early coaching, health, and “being just dumb enough to stay healthy.”
• Compares his era to today:
  • Pitchers now hit higher velocities but often suffer more injuries.
  • Durability and getting ground balls fueled his longevity.

3. Jacksonville State Memories & Moving for Baseball

[15:28] – [17:50]

• Todd’s college days:

  • Humble about performance (“I think I’m still the all time walks leader there”), didn’t command strikes until MLB.
  • “I met my wife there… 36 years. Two kids… all that came from Jacksonville State.” (Todd, 15:58)
  • “We moved 29 times” during his 15-year MLB career.
  • Praises wife Michelle: “She is, and she was, a wonderful baseball wife. She understood… what was demanded.” (17:48)

• Bubba and Todd share gratitude for supportive wives.

4. Connecting Through Athletics & Evolving Sports at Jack State

[19:32] – [26:51]

• Both families enjoy attending Jacksonville State football games.
• Rapid growth at the university:
  • Record stadium crowds.
  • High-level recruits and national attention.
• New coaching staff:
  • Charles Kelly and Eric Davis contributing to program success.
• Talent pool now drawn nationwide (not just local).
• Discussion of NIL era:
  • “It’s all about playing time. It’s all about getting on the field and being able to compete and if you’re good enough…” (Todd, 25:17)
  • Todd underscores opportunity regardless of school, drawing on his own D2 background.

5. Infrastructure, Analytics, and Coaching

[30:02] – [33:56]

• Bubba lauds Jacksonville State’s level of coaching—Rich Rod, Charles Kelly, Greg Sites.
• Todd highlights athletic director Greg Sites’ vision:
  • Invests in infrastructure (analytics, departments).
  • “That’s where his true vision is… to help players develop faster, compete on an even field with the big, sexy programs.” (Todd, 31:20)
• Analytics now identify why players succeed or fail: “The analytics can reveal that in a third person party… it just is what it is, so to speak.” (Todd, 33:33)

6. Life After Baseball: Broadcasting

[34:14] – [38:52]

• Todd works with Bally Regional Detroit broadcast team:

  • Pre/post-game, occasional color commentary.
  • Enjoys staying close to the game.
  • Modern game is “still the same… you’ve got all this information to make all these different decisions.”

• Analytics and instant information have transformed player adjustments in the majors.

• Broadcasting is a “learning experience,” and humor, timing, and genuine personality are key (skills learned from Bubba and Rick & Bubba years).

7. Family Update: Broadcasting Daughter & Coaching Son

[38:52] – [41:52]

• Daughter Abby is a sideline reporter and content creator in Dallas:
  • “She’s a great follow… she’s been doing it four or five years. Her first night of broadcasting… Dirk Nowitzki’s jersey retirement.”
  • Covered a World Series, NBA Finals, All-Star Game.
• Son Alex is a college hitting coach, praised for his ability to help young hitters.
• Todd appreciates seeing “both… following in your footsteps, too, and things that you’ve done.”

8. Coaching, Retirement, and Priorities

[41:52] – [43:58]

• Volunteer coaching at high school and USA Baseball.
• Experience with elite young talent: “Saw Corey Seager in high school… just crazy.”
• Has coached in the Tigers minor league system.
• Chooses not to coach full-time: “Don’t want to take away from the family anymore.”
• Enjoys flexibility in retirement—traveling to see kids, time with wife Michelle.

9. Faith Journey, Giving Back, and Life Perspective

[44:14] – [56:19]

• Faith is “the core of where everything started.”

  • “I gave what I knew of myself to what I knew of God.” (Todd, 44:14)
  • Saved at 21; Bible study, marriage, and mentorship continued to shape his faith.

• Retirement allows Todd to help family, serve at church, lead weekly Bible studies:

  • “There’s a Bible study at my house every Tuesday night. We’ve done it for sixteen years… walking life out.” (Todd, 46:16)

• Speaks for Man Church, encouraging men’s groups.

• Bubba and Todd reflect on legacy:

  • Bubba: “There is a cemetery right behind the Coliseum… it’s a reminder, you know, that day is coming… have you done everything you need to do before that day comes?” (48:46)
  • Todd: “You have to live out each day intentionally… realize you can’t do it on your own.” (50:07, 50:43)

• Emphasize:

  • Grace is available “right where you are”—no need to “get right” first.
    • “He wants to meet you right where you are today…” (Bubba, 53:05)
  • The importance of humility, repentance, living faith daily (“not just on Wednesday and Sunday mornings”).
  • “That’s the easiest gift of all. It’s free. It’s to anybody that asks.” (Todd, 50:44)

• Notable Quote:

  • “First part of my life I just wanted to be, I wanted to be important… and now I just want to be significant.” (Todd, 45:31)

10. Lighthearted Memories & Thankfulness

[56:19] – [59:09]

• Revisit the “Rick and Bubba” hat at the All-Star Game:

  • “It started out as a hateful letter and a five-thousand-dollar fine… My agent called the commissioner’s office… I never went to another All-Star Game, so the joke’s on them!” (Todd, 56:33–57:00)

• Bubba expresses gratitude for Todd’s friendship and example.

• Thanksgiving reflection:

  • “Really thankful to just be here, be present in the moment, paying attention to what needs to be taken care of and trying to help out where you can.” (Todd, 58:12)

• Both grateful for health (“health is wealth”), family, and faith.

Notable Quotes

• “One of my biggest abilities was my durability. I was able to go out there each night and, good or bad… show my teammates I was there every situation.”
  – Todd Jones, [11:19]

• “First part of my life I just wanted to be important… now I just want to be significant.”
  – Todd Jones, [45:31]

• “He wants to meet you right where you are today, right where you are… in the middle of divorce, in the middle of … bankruptcy, in the middle of health issues…”
  – Bubba, [53:05]

• “Health is wealth. If you don’t have that, it doesn’t matter how much money you got.”
  – Todd Jones, [58:58]

• “That’s the only question that I feel like matters: What do you know about Jesus and what does He mean to you?”
  – Todd Jones, [47:07]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 07:46 – Todd joins the show, radio show memories
• 10:52 – Bubba recites Todd’s MLB stats and achievements
• 13:25 – Durability and pitching career, dealing with injuries
• 15:28 – Reflections on Jacksonville State and meeting his wife
• 19:26 – Bubba and Todd on their wives’ support and friendship
• 22:00 – Growth of Jacksonville State’s athletic programs
• 25:17 – College sports landscape (NIL, exposure, transfers)
• 31:02 – JSU’s coaching staff, analytics, and athletic infrastructure
• 34:14 – Broadcasting career after baseball
• 39:01 – Abby Jones’ rise in sports media; Alex Jones, hitting coach
• 41:52 – Coaching paths, retirement priorities
• 44:14 – Faith’s role, giving back, men’s ministry
• 48:46 – Bubba’s reflection on mortality and purpose
• 54:18 – Grace and the misconception of “getting right” before faith
• 56:33 – All-Star Game “Rick and Bubba” hat story
• 58:12 – Thanksgiving gratitude and health reflections

Memorable Moments

• Legacy and Faith: Both men reflect on the brevity of life, what lasts, and practical faith.
• Banter & Humor: Lighthearted banter about their wives, game day traditions, and Todd’s TV style.
• Hat Story: Todd’s tale of putting “Rick and Bubba” on his All-Star Game hat, resulting in a fine and a promise to never do it again—“But I never went to another All Star Game, so the joke’s on them.” (56:33)
• Heartfelt Friendships: Repeated mutual thankfulness, both for sports memories and personal support.

Tone & Style

• Warm, down-home, and genuine; humor and humility run throughout.
• Blends storytelling with practical life lessons.
• Faith-based perspective and “coach’s wisdom” flavor the advice.

Summary

This Thanksgiving episode of "Bubba On the Lake" offers a heartfelt, laughter-filled, and sometimes poignant conversation between two old friends. Todd Jones, with humility and gratitude, recounts a life in professional baseball, family adventures, and growing roles in broadcasting and faith-based service. Bubba brings out stories of teamwork, trial, and triumph—and together they affirm what really matters: faith, family, health, and making a positive impact while you can.

For further details or more episodes, visit bubbaonthelake.com.