On 108th birthday, Evelyn Jones throws record-setting first pitch

Seattle Mariners fan Evelyn Jones celebrated her 108th birthday in epic and record-breaking fashion on Saturday.

Jones, who’s been a Mariners fan for their entire existence, not hers — she was 69 years young when they debuted in 1977 — was invited to Safeco Field to throw out ceremonial first pitch.

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In doing so, Jones became the oldest person to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a major league game. The previous record holder was 105-year-old Agnes McKee, who threw out a pitch before a San Diego Padres game on July 20, 2014.

According to the Mariners news release, Jones is a faithful viewer of Mariners games. She was also a happy viewer on Saturday, as Seattle celebrated her birthday with a 5-0 win against the Los Angeles Angels. 

Jones is a current resident of Fairwinds-Brittany Park retirement community in Woodinville, and when it’s time for the Mariners to come on she’ll retreat to her room to watch the broadcast by herself so the other residents can’t disrupt her focus.

That’s some dedication.

When the Mariners aren’t on TV, Jones passes the time doing crossword puzzles, reading and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. That probably makes for long winters, but the calling of spring never gets old.

Here’s more from the Seattle Times: 

Jones was born in 1907 in the small town of Leahy, in central Washington. She graduated from Brewster High School in 1925.

Along with her husband of 55 years, Stanley, she raised two daughters on a wheat farm/cattle ranch outside of Almira.

To put it into perspective, Joe Beimel, the oldest player on the Mariners at age 38, was born in 1977 when Jones was 70.

Meanwhile, when Taijuan Walker, the youngest player on the Mariners at 23, was born in 1992, Jones was 85.

Further proof that age is but a number, and that loyalty and passion are the true driving forces in life.

For Evelyn Jones, the Mariners and baseball especially ignite that passion. For many of us, the latter is something we’ll always have in common with her and each other.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813