Andruw Jones
Curaçaoan Hall of Fame center fielder known for 10 Gold Gloves and a 51-homer season.
Andruw Rudolf Jones (born April 23, 1977) is a Curaçaoan former professional baseball center fielder who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), most notably for the Atlanta Braves. He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Jones was a strong defensive player for much of his career, winning the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for outfielders every year from 1998 through 2007. He had a strong throwing arm in addition to his elite fielding. He was an MLB All-Star five times, and he won both the Hank Aaron Award and a Silver Slugger Award for outfielders in 2005.
- team_tenure
- 1996–2008
- position
- Center Fielder
- gold_gloves
- 8 Consecutive Awards
- all_star_selections
- 7 Times with Braves
- debut_year
- 1996
- status
- Retired Legend
Lore & Background
Jones made his MLB debut during the 1996 season with the Atlanta Braves. In the 1996 World Series, he became the youngest player ever to hit a home run in the postseason, and just the second player ever to homer in his first two World Series at-bats. The following season, he finished fifth in voting for Rookie of the Year. He continued to improve his offensive production the next two seasons, and in 2000, he batted .303 with 36 home runs and 104 runs batted in (RBIs), making his first All-Star team. Jones started to draw many comparisons to Willie Mays and was considered one of the top center fielders in baseball. He proved to be a top defensive player, leading all center fielders in putouts and total zone runs five years in a row from 1998 to 2002. In 2001, he again hit more than 30 home runs and drove in 104 runs but his average dipped to .251 while his strikeouts increased. Jones improved with All-Star seasons in 2002 and 2003. In 2004, he failed to hit at least 30 home runs for the first time since 1999 and exceeded 100 strikeouts, which became a regular occurrence thereafter. In 2005, he led the National League (NL) with 51 home runs and 128 RBIs, finishing second to Albert Pujols for NL Most Valuable Player. In subsequent seasons, his average continued to dip and his strikeouts increased. After a productive season in 2006, including a career-high 129 RBIs, in 2007 Jones had his weakest season to that point, batting just .222. During his time with Atlanta, Jones became one of the youngest players in MLB history to reach 300 career home runs.
In Their Own Story
The humid air hung heavy over Turner Field as the ninth inning unfolded. A towering fly ball arced toward deep center field, testing the limits of the warning track. Andruw Jones sprinted back, eyes locked on the spinning leather against the night sky. He planted his feet near the wall, secured the catch with a gloved hand, and turned to fire a laser back to the plate, silencing the opposing runner and preserving the lead in a roar of deafening applause.
Reader's Guide
After the 2007 season, Jones signed with the Dodgers as a free agent to a two-year deal, worth $36.2 million. However, Jones struggled with the Dodgers, batting just .158 with three home runs and 14 RBIs. Shortly after the season, Jones was released. Jones concluded his MLB career with brief stints for the Rangers, White Sox, and Yankees, transitioning from a starting center fielder to designated hitter and backup outfielder role. Jones hit his 400th career home run in 2010 while playing for the White Sox. In 2026, Jones was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He became the first Curaçaoan player to be elected into the Hall of Fame.
Did You Know?
- Jones was born in Willemstad, Curaçao, not Venezuela.
- He won 10 consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1998 through 2007, not 8.
- Jones was an MLB All-Star five times, not seven.
- He played for the Atlanta Braves from 1996 to 2007, not 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Andruw Jones to the Atlanta Braves?
He was a defining center fielder who spent thirteen seasons with the franchise from his debut in 1996 until 2008. Jones is remembered for transforming the position with his elite defensive range and powerful hitting ability.
What were Andruw Jones's key strengths on the field?
Jones anchored the Braves' defense by winning eight consecutive Gold Glove Awards while providing significant power from the right side of the plate. His combination of arm strength and home run capability made him a complete player during his tenure.
How many All-Star selections did he receive in Atlanta?
During his time with the organization, Jones was selected to seven Major League Baseball All-Star Games. These honors highlight his consistent performance as one of the league's top talents throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Why is Andruw Jones considered a franchise legend?
He defined the turn-of-the-century lineup by serving as a defensive anchor who could also drive in runs with his bat. His presence helped maintain the team's competitiveness during a long period of playoff contention for the organization.
When did Andruw Jones play for the Braves?
He made his major league debut in 1996 and played every season through 2008 before leaving the club. This thirteen-year run remains a significant chapter in franchise history for this now-retired player.
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