Andruw Jones
Andruw Jones | |
---|---|
Center fielder | |
Born: Willemstad, Curaçao | April 23, 1977|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
Professional debut | |
MLB: August 15, 1996, for the Atlanta Braves | |
NPB: March 29, 2013, for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles | |
Last appearance | |
MLB: October 3, 2012, for the New York Yankees | |
NPB: October 1, 2014, for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .254 |
Home runs | 434 |
Runs batted in | 1,289 |
NPB statistics | |
Batting average | .232 |
Home runs | 50 |
Runs batted in | 165 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
MLB
NPB
|
Andruw Rudolf Jones (Papiamento pronunciation:
Jones made his MLB debut during the 1996 season with the Atlanta Braves. In the
After the 2007 season, Jones signed with the Los Angeles 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 center fielder to designated hitter and a
Early life
This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (April 2021) |
Jones was born on April 23, 1977, in the capital city of Willemstad on the Caribbean island nation of Curaçao. By the age of 11, Jones was on a youth select team that traveled all the way to Japan to play in a tournament. He could handle any position on the field, but because of his powerful arm, Jones often found himself at catcher or third base. He switched to the outfield a couple of years later.[citation needed]
Early professional career
Jones signed with the Atlanta Braves organization as a
Professional career
Major League Baseball
Atlanta Braves (1996–2007)
The Braves brought Jones up to Atlanta on August 15, 1996, when he was just 19 years old. In his first career Major League game, Jones went 1-for-5 with a run batted in and a run scored. In his second game, he went 2-for-5 with a home run and a triple. He had his first multi-homer game against the Reds on August 22. He spent his early time in the majors playing in right field because established center fielder Marquis Grissom was already entrenched in the position. He finished the season batting .217 with five home runs and 13 RBIs. [citation needed] Jones was selected to the Braves' postseason roster in 1996. In the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals, Jones batted .222 with a home run and 3 RBIs. The Braves won the Series and advanced to the World Series.
In Game 1 of the 1996 World Series on October 20, 1996, Jones was able to demonstrate his talents on the national stage. He connected for two home runs to left field on his first two at bats as the Braves routed the New York Yankees 12–1. Jones became the youngest player ever to homer in the World Series[2] at the age of 19 years, 180 days, breaking Mickey Mantle's record of 20 years, 362 days — on what would have been Mantle's 65th birthday. Jones joined Gene Tenace as the only other player to hit home runs in his first two World Series at bats. Tenace did it in 1972 with the Oakland Athletics.
Jones became the Braves' everyday right fielder in 1997. Jones hit his first home run of the season against
Whether he was in the batter's box or gliding under a fly ball to make an easy basket catch, Jones played the game in a very relaxed manner.[3] This temporarily earned him the ire of manager Bobby Cox in June 1998 in an incident in which Cox pulled Jones out of a game, in the midst of an inning, because he felt Jones had lazily allowed a single to drop in center field. Jones went on to hit .271 with 31 home runs and 90 runs batted in and stole 27 bases. Still just 22 years old, Jones had similar numbers in 1999. He had a breakout season with his bat in 2000 with career highs up until that point in batting average (.303), home runs (36), and RBIs (104). He also earned his first All-Star Game appearance. He also led the National League in Plate Appearances (729) and At Bats (656). Jones struggled in the National League Division Series against the Cardinals. He went 1 for 9 with a home run. The Braves lost the series.
However, in 2001, Jones' batting average fell and his strikeouts went up. Jones finished with 34 home runs and 104 RBIs but his average dropped to only .251 and he struck out 142 times. By now, Jones had gained nearly 30 pounds since arriving in the Major Leagues, greatly diminishing his speed on the basepaths (he would not steal more than 11 bases after 2001).[4] He maintained a similar batting performance in 2002, but was still playing superb defense. On September 7, he belted two home runs in his last two at-bats. In his first two at-bats on September 10, he belted two more home runs. He became the 11th player in MLB history to homer in four straight at-bats. Then on September 25, Jones belted three home runs against the Phillies. Jones became the first Braves player to hit three home runs in a game since Jeff Blauser did it in 1992. Jones was named to his second All Star team. He ended the season with 35 home runs and 94 RBIs.
In 2003, with the power-hitting Gary Sheffield in the line-up, Jones achieved a new career high-water mark in RBIs, with 116. Jones made his third All Star team and homered in the game. The American League beat the National League, 7–6. In the 2004 season, he took a step backward when he hit fewer than 30 homers and struck out 147 times. During the season, Jones was the subject of trade rumors.[5][6]
Breakout in 2005
Prior to the 2005 season, Jones increased his workout regimen and followed advice given by Willie Mays to widen his batting stance.[7] The result was his most productive offensive season ever. After Chipper Jones went down with an injury early in 2005, Jones carried the Braves. By the All Star break, Jones was leading the National League in home runs with 27. Jones was named to the All Star team, the fourth of his career. Jones hit his 40th home run of the season on August 23 in a loss against the Cubs. It marked the first time in his career that he hit at least 40 home runs in a season. Jones became the first Braves hitter to hit 40 home runs in a season since Javy Lopez did it in 2003. On September 14, 2005, Jones hit his 300th career home run which went 430 feet (130 m) off Philadelphia Phillies reliever Geoff Geary in a 12–4 Phillies win.[8] The ball landed in the upper deck in left field at Citizens Bank Park.[9] Jones became the first hitter since Alex Rodriguez (57) and Jim Thome (52) to hit at least 50 home runs in a season. Jones also became the 12th player in history to hit 300 home runs before his 30th birthday.
Jones hit a major league-leading 51 home runs, surpassing
2006
Before the 2006 season, Jones played in the
Jones matched his career high with 6 runs batted in on July 18 against the Cardinals. He also went 5 for 5 with 2 home runs. On August 29, in a game against the Giants, Jones drove in 3 runs, which gave him his 1000th career RBI.[11] On September 26, in a game against the New York Mets, Jones hit his 40th home run of the season. He became the first hitter in Atlanta's history to have consecutive seasons of at least 40 homers. Jones finished the 2006 season with 41 home runs and 129 RBIs. Jones also became more selective at the plate (82 walks, as compared to 64 the prior season), which helped him score 107 runs during 2006, an increase of 12 over the prior year and his most in a single season since 2000. He won his ninth consecutive Gold Glove award. The Braves finished with a 79–83 record and missed the postseason for the first time since 1990.
2007
Coming into the last year of his contract with the Braves, many fans and sports analysts alike felt that 2007 would be his last year as a Brave, mostly because of his potential value on the market that the Braves would not be able to afford. [citation needed] Jones, however, had an unexpectedly poor start to the season, striking out 51 times in 41 games and carrying a batting average in the low .200s for the majority of April and May.
On April 30, Jones hit a three-run walk-off home run against the Philadelphia Phillies. On May 28, Jones hit his 350th career homer off Chris Capuano. After the All-Star break, Jones continued to have productive power numbers; however, his batting average remained poor. He was honored with a Fielding Bible Award as the best fielding center fielder in MLB.[12] Jones finished the 2007 season with 26 home runs and 94 RBIs. On the downside, Jones hit only .222 and struck out 138 times.
On October 2, the Braves announced they would not be bringing Jones back for the 2008 season.[13]
Los Angeles Dodgers (2008)
On December 5, 2007, Jones agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, worth $36.2 million.[14] After showing up out of shape and over 20 pounds overweight, he continued to struggle, hitting below .200 for most of the season. Additionally, he had only 10 hits in 116 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Due to his lack of production, Jones was dropped to eighth in the Dodger line-up. This was the first time since 1998 that Jones had hit eighth in any line-up.
Jones was put on the
On September 13, 2008, Jones was put on the 60-day disabled list, and removed from the playoff roster, putting an end to his season with the Dodgers. Jones finished the season with a .158 batting average, just three home runs, and 14 RBI.[18] Jones stated that he did not wish to return to the Dodgers in 2009, saying that the Los Angeles fans did not give him a fair chance.
During the 2009 off-season, the Dodgers reached an agreement with Jones to trade or release him before spring training in exchange for a deferral of some of the remaining money due on his contract. On January 15, 2009, Jones was officially released by the Dodgers.[19]
Texas Rangers (2009)
On February 8, 2009, Jones signed a one-year minor league contract with the Texas Rangers; the deal paid him $500,000 for making the major league team, and offered $1 million in incentives.[20] Jones reportedly turned down a similar offer from the New York Yankees to compete for their center field job[21] and expressed an interest in staying with the Rangers even though he would likely not be a starter.[22] He earned the Rangers' final roster spot.[23]
He was originally intended to be a pinch-hitter for the Rangers, but found a starting outfield role due to an injury to
Jones was also faced with an opportunity to play against his old club, the Dodgers. Jones played two games against them on June 13 and 14, homering in each game. On July 4, Jones went 2 for 5 with a home run and 4 runs batted in against the Rays. On July 8, in a game against the Angels, Jones hit three home runs and drove in four runs in an 8–1 win. It was his second career three-homer game. Jones had a chance to hit his fourth home run of the game in his final two at-bats, but he popped out and struck out. "I was thinking about it. I tried. I just didn't get it done," Jones said. "I'm just happy we won."[24] Jones ultimately hit only .214 for the season, but did have 17 home runs in 82 games.[17]
Chicago White Sox (2010)
On November 25, 2009, Jones signed a $500,000 deal for 2010 with up to an additional $1 million in performance bonuses. Unlike what he had done with the Braves and Dodgers in previous seasons, Jones showed up to camp in shape, a full 30 pounds under his previous weight.[25] On April 23, 2010, Jones hit two home runs on his 33rd birthday, including a walk-off to help the White Sox win 7–6 over the Seattle Mariners. On July 11, he hit his 400th career home run.[26]
He finished the year with nineteen home runs in 278 at-bats. He
New York Yankees (2011–2012)
On January 20, 2011, Jones and the New York Yankees agreed to a contract for the 2011 season for $2 million, with an additional $1.2 million in performance bonuses.[27][28] In his first Yankees at-bat on April 5, 2011, Jones hit a home run over the left field wall at Yankee Stadium off the Minnesota Twins' Brian Duensing.
Jones finished the season with a .247 average, 13 home runs and 33
Jones re-signed with the Yankees for the 2012 season on December 30, 2011, signing a one-year deal worth $2 million. He was slated to be a backup. However, due to Brett Gardner's DL stint, Jones received more starts than anticipated. Jones played very well in the first half of the season hitting 12 home runs in his first 62 games, including three over the course of a doubleheader in Boston, but in August and September he hit only .139 with two home runs over his final 32 games.[29]
Nippon Professional Baseball
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (2013–2014)
On December 7, 2012, Jones agreed to a one-year, ¥300 million (approximately US$3.5 million) contract with the
Retirement
Since playing in Japan, Jones attempted comebacks in both the 2015 and 2016 MLB seasons.[34][35] He officially retired from baseball in February 2016 and was hired by the Braves as a special assistant later that month.[36][37] On April 3, 2023, the Braves announced that Jones's number 25 would be retired by the team on September 9, 2023.[38][39]
Career summary
Jones ended his career with a .254/.337/.486
Jones was also known for his speed early in his career. In fact, his speed earned him the last playoff spot on the Braves' roster in 1996. Jones stole 20 or more bases from 1997 to 2000. However, his speed declined as he hit for more power. Jones never stole 10 bases after he stole 11 in 2001. This could also be attributed to a noticeable weight gain.[citation needed]
Jones also owned the lowest
From 1998 to 2007, Jones won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves. His 10 Gold Gloves for an outfielder ranks him in a tie for third (behind
International career
Being born in Curaçao allowed Jones to be eligible for the Netherlands national baseball team during their participation in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006. Jones would later join the team again for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Two years later, in 2015, Jones was selected to play with the National Dutch team as a
Personal life
In July 2001, Jones testified in the federal trial of Steve Kaplan, an Atlanta club owner charged with facilitating prostitution. Jones told the Court that he was a regular at the club and that, on one occasion, Kaplan arranged for a limousine to bring him to a hotel where he had sex with a group of people. He further testified that he made no payment during the encounter because Kaplan had told him that it was a "party."[43]
Jones married Nicole Derick. They are the parents of one son, Druw, and one daughter, Madison. Druw was the top prospect in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft and was selected second overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks.[44]
Early on the morning of Christmas Day, 2012, Jones was arrested for battery after police officers responded to a domestic disturbance call between him and his wife Nicole in suburban Atlanta. He was released on $2,400 bond late that morning.[45] Nicole Jones filed for divorce in early January 2013.[46] His wife later withdrew the action for divorce and the couple attempted to reconcile, though Jones eventually pleaded guilty, paid a fine and was placed on probation.[47]
Awards and accomplishments
- Minor League Player of the Year Award(1995 and 1996)
- Youngest player in the National League (1996 and 1997)
- 10-Time NL Gold Glove Award Winner (1998–2007)
- 5-Time All-Star (2000, 2002–03, 2005–06)
- Inaugural National League All-Star Final Vote winner (2002)
- Led the majors with 51 home runs in 2005
- Held Braves record for most home runs in a season (2005, with 51) until surpassed by Matt Olson in 2023
- Led the National League with 656 at-bats in 2000
- Led the National League with 128 RBIs in 2005
- NL Silver Slugger Award in 2005
- NL Hank Aaron Award as the league's best offensive player in 2005
- NL Player of the Month for June and August 2005
- Major League Player of the Year for 2005, as chosen by the Major League Baseball Players Association
- Fielding Bible Award at center field (2007)
- Number retired by the Atlanta Braves on September 9, 2023
Jones has appeared on balloting for the
Jones was inducted into the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame in 2016.[48][49] His uniform number, 25, was retired by the team on September 9, 2023.[50]
See also
- List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders
References
- ^ Prospect Retro: Andruw Jones Minor League Ball
- ^ Feinsand, Mark (February 17, 2011). "Yankees newest outfielder, Andruw Jones, surprised to be in spring training with Bombers at age 34". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on June 3, 2012.
- ^ "Andruw Jones: making a name for himself with the Atlanta Braves: center fielder helped Atlanta position itself in another run at a N.L. Eastern Division title". Findarticles.com. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ Andruw Jones Baseball-Reference.com
- ^ Foltman, Bob (June 29, 2004). "Reed's exit credit to outfield depth". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ^ Edes, Gordon (July 28, 2004). "For now, rumors all talk". Boston Globe. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ^ "Jones Puts Mays' Advice To Good Use". Orlando Sentinel. March 29, 2005. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ^ "September 14, 2005 Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies Box Score and Play by Play". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
- ^ Bowman, Mark (September 14, 2005). "Andruw hits two milestones with homer; Braves center fielder belts No. 50 of 2005, No. 300 of career". MLB.com. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
- ^ "Barry mows 'em down". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. July 9, 2006. p. B4. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
Before Saturday's game, Jones received the Babe Ruth Award for leading the major with 51 homers in 2005.
(subscription required) - ^ "Bonds hits two homers but Braves batter Schmidt, Giants". espn.com. ESPN, Inc. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ "The 2007 Awards". The Fielding Bible. Archived from the original on November 10, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
- ^ "Braves announce they won't try to re-sign Andruw Jones". USA Today. Associated Press. October 2, 2007. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
- ^ Andruw, Dodgers reach agreement MLB.com
- ^ "Dodgers' Jones out 4-6 weeks after going on DL for first time in career – MLB – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. May 25, 2008. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ Farley, Mike (August 23, 2008). "Top 10 Active MLB Windmills". Scoresreport.com. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Andruw Jones Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ Gurnick, Ken (September 13, 2008). "Jones placed on DL; Saito activated". MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
- ^ Dodgers Release Andruw Jones Archived January 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Rangers ink Andruw to Minors deal". Texas.rangers.mlb.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ "Rangers, Jones agree to deal". Sports.espn.go.com. February 8, 2009. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ Andruw Jones Willing to Take Backup Role ESPN, March 22, 2009
- ^ a b Jones Earns Final Roster Spot ESPN, April 2, 2009
- ^ "Texas vs Angels July 8, 2009". Espn.go.com. July 8, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
- ^ New York Yankees: Without Risk There Is No Reward, So Get To Know Andruw Jones Bleacher Report
- ^ "Royals vs White Sox July 11, 2010". Espn.go.com. July 11, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
- ^ "Yankees reach deal with Jones". CNN. January 20, 2011. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ Yankees officially sign Jones, DFA Schlitter Archived February 18, 2011, at the Wayback Machine LoHud Yankees Blog
- ^ "Andruw Jones 2012 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
- ^ "Veteran outfielder Andruw Jones, who spent two seasons with Yankees, to sign with Japanese team, according to report". Nydailynews.com. October 27, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ "Andruw Jones, formerly of New York Yankees, set to sign with Rakuten Eagles – ESPN". Espn.go.com. December 11, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
- ^ "Nikkan Sports: Rakuten Agrees with Andruw Jones". NPB Tracker. December 7, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
- ^ "楽天 元ソフトBファルケンボーグ獲得 – プロ野球ニュース". nikkansports.com. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
- ^ "Andruw Jones looking to return to MLB after two years in Japan". ESPN.com. February 2, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
- ^ "Andruw Jones hoping for MLB comeback in 2016". Yes Network. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
- ^ O'Brien, David (February 24, 2016). "Andruw Jones makes it official: He's retired". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ^ Bowman, Mark (February 29, 2016). "Braves hire Andruw as special assistant to baseball ops". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ^ Bowman, Mark (April 3, 2023). "Braves to retire No. 25 in honor of Andruw on Sept. 9". MLB.com. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ "Atlanta Braves to retire Andruw Jones' No. 25 in September". ESPN.com. Reuters. April 3, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- Fangraphs. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
- ^ O'Brien, David. "Andruw Jones makes it official: He's retired". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ O'Brien, David (February 24, 2016). "A. Jones, Schuerholz elected to Braves Hall of Fame". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
"I'm very proud of this day," Jones said Wednesday, the same day he began a stint as a guest instructor in Braves spring training and made his retirement official. "There's so many guys that I played with and who played in the years before, and to be next to them is a very big honor. I'm blessed."
- CNN.com. CNN. July 26, 2001. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Anderson, R.J. (July 17, 2022). "2022 MLB Draft: Druw Jones, son of All-Star Andruw Jones, goes No. 2 to Diamondbacks". CBSSports.com. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
- ^ "Former Braves player arrested on battery charge - www.ajc.com". January 16, 2013. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013.
- ^ "Ex-MLB Star Andruw Jones -- Fighting Wife for Custody ... I'm the Better Parent". tmz.com. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
- ^ Jaffe, Jay (December 1, 2017). "Andruw Jones faces long odds for Hall of Fame election". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ "Braves Hall of Fame to Induct John Schuerholz and Andruw Jones". MLB.com. February 24, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ Bowman, Mark (August 19, 2016). "Braves' Hall enshrinement humbles Andruw". MLB.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ "Braves retire Andruw Jones' No. 25, tout his Hall of Fame case". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 9, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Andrew Jones at Pura Pelota (Venezuelan Professional Baseball League)