Liverpool Reds
CHICAGO -- Closer Todd Jones has consistently recorded saves all year. The Marlins veteran right-hander has 29 on the season.
At Wrigley Field on Friday, Jones introduced the Marlins to recording artists Staind. Members of the band, which has numerous hit songs, including "It's Been Awhile," were on the field as Jones' guests during warmups.
The group will hold a concert on Saturday at Milwaukee, and guitarist Mike Mushok says they plan to tour South Florida in the fall.
Earlier this month, Staind released its latest album, "Chapter V," which already has a hit single, "Right Here." The group is touring with 3 Doors Down.
The members of Staind are from Springfield, Mass., and are naturally Red Sox fans. They also cheer on Jones, who was on stage with the band during a concert a few years ago in Biloxi, Miss.
"It's funny," Mushok said. "He said, 'I played in an All-Star Game and this is the best day of my life.' I think he was making it up. I put him next to me. You don't want him to sing. He was just into it. Ever since then, we've been good friends."
Jones, who played some air guitar on stage that day, says he became friends with the group when he was pitching for the Tigers.
"I met them through a mutual friend in the record business," Jones said. "They let me on stage. It was cool to see the energy from the crowd back to them."
Jones introduced the band to 74-year-old manager Jack McKeon, who is more into the music of Perry Como and Frank Sinatra.
When McKeon met the band members, he played along that he had heard of them, although he no clue.
"I told them I was more into classical musical," said McKeon.
McKeon doesn't listen to classical music, either, but says he does as a joke. McKeon has been known to take the names from vodka labels and tell people those are classical artists.
"He said [he's heard of us], but I know he's lying," Mushok said.
"I've heard of them," McKeon said afterward. "I heard of them earlier today."