DETROIT -- Prior to throwing out Tuesday night’s ceremonial first pitch, former Tigers closer Todd Jones said he had "a little trick up his sleeve."

Turns out, it wasn’t so little. It was actually pretty "grande."

Jones, the club’s closer from its 2006 postseason team, removed his jacket after being announced before a rowdy sellout crowd at Comerica Park, revealing a Tigers uniform that donned current closer Jose Valverde’s last name on its back.

Jones, the Tigers’ all-time saves leader, proceeded to throw a strike to designated first-pitch catcher Brandon Inge with a delivery that matched Papa Grande’s signature style. Following his pitch, Jones mimicked Valverde’s postgame fist-pumping celebration.

"I never had a chance to do this," said Jones, who -- like Valverde -- was notorious for working out of stress-filled ninth inning jams. "This is all kind of new and cool for me. I’m just going out there and having a little fun."

Following his pitch, several Tigers players greeted Jones at the top of the dugout, including Valverde and manager Jim Leyland.

Valverde recorded 49 consecutive saves this season, passing Jones as the Tigers' single season saves leader. Jones, now a high school pitching coach in Pell City, Ala., said he has a newfound respect for late-inning relievers following his retirement in 2008.

"When you’re out there, you feel like you have a little bit of control," Jones said. "But when you’re watching on TV, you feel for the (closer). You just want to see him make pitches and try to get outs.

"As a player, I never really realized how important it was to everybody, and how big a deal these games are."