Andruw Jones
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| Position | Center Field |
| Team | Atlanta Braves |
| Experience | 10 years |
| Age | 29 |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 210 lb. |
| Bats | Right |
| Throws | Right |
| College | none |
| 2005 Salary | $13,000,000 |
| Place of Birth | Willemstad, Curacao |
| Selection | N/A |
| Drafted by | N/A |
| Major League Debut | August 15,1996 |
Andruw Rudolf Jones [pronounced An-drew, not Ahn-drew] (born April 23, 1977, in Willemstad, Curaçao, in the Netherlands Antilles) is an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves.
Golden Prospect
Andruw Jones signed with the Atlanta Braves organization as a free agent in 1993 at the age of 16. Despite his youth, Andruw rapidly moved through the Braves' farm system. By 1996, he was being hailed as 'the next Griffey." The Braves brought Jones up to Atlanta on August 15,1996 when he was just 19 years-old. He spent his early time in the majors playing in right field.
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 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 (breaking Mickey Mantle's record.)
Waiting for a Breakout
Jones became the Braves' everyday rightfielder in 1997, but he posted a disappointing .231 average. Andruw moved to centerfield in 1998 and had a much more encouraging season. His average improved to .271, he belted 31 homers, and he stole 27 bases. He also won his first of eight straight Gold Glove Awards.
Whether he was in the batter's box or gliding under a fly ball to make a casual basket catch, Jones played the game in a very relaxed manner. This temporarily earned him the ire of manager Bobby Cox in June 1998 in an oft-forgotten incident when Cox pulled Jones out of a game because he felt Andruw had lazily allowed a single to drop in center field.
Still only 22 years-old, Jones had similar numbers in 1999, and though he was a dependable (he played all 162 games that season) and good player, many began to wonder if or when he would live up to the potential that they believed he possessed. He had a mini-breakout season in 2000 with career highs in average (.303), homers (36), and RBI (104). He also earned his first All-Star appearance.
However, in 2001 his average fell and his strikeouts went up. Plus, by now, Jones had gained nearly 30 pounds since reaching the majors, greatly diminishing his speed on the basepaths (he would not steal more than 11 bases after 2001). He maintained similar numbers in 2002, but was still playing superb defense. In 2003, with power-hitting Gary Sheffield in the lineup, Jones set a new career high in RBI (116). Unfortunately, he took a step backward in 2004 when he hit less than 30 homers and struck out a whopping 147 times.
Breakout in 2005
Although Andruw had developed into an outstanding center fielder and a solid offensive player, the general feeling shared by many fans and critics was that Jones had not lived up to the superstar expectations that had been pinned on him ten years before.
Prior to the 2005 season, Jones increased his workout regimen and, following advice given by Hall of Famer Willie Mays, widened his batting stance. The result was Andruw's most productive offensive season ever. Jones hit a major league leading 51 home runs, surpassing Hank Aaron's and Eddie Mathews' single-season club record. He also led the National League with a career-high 128 RBI. He finished just behind St. Louis Cardinals' first baseman Albert Pujols in the 2005 NL MVP vote.
Jones played for the Netherlands in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, going 0-6 with two walks in 8 plate appearances.
Awards and Accomplishments
- NL Gold Glove Award for OF - 1998-2005
- All-Star Appearances - 2000, 2002-2003, 2005
- Led the Majors with 51 home runs in 2005
- Led the National League with 128 RBIs in 2005
- NL Silver Slugger Award for CF in 2005
- NL Hank Aaron Award as the best offensive player in 2005
Personal life
Andruw married his wife, Nicole, in 2002. They met in an Atlanta mall in 1998.
Trivia
- Homered in his first at-bat in Game 1 of the 1996 World Series against the New York Yankees, becoming the youngest player in Major League Baseball history to hit a home run in the postseason, passing Mickey Mantle who was two weeks shy of his 21st birthday when he homered in the 1952 World Series. Jones became just the fourth rookie (after Charlie Keller, Tony Kubek and Willie McGee) to homer twice in one World Series game and the second person to homer in his first two World Series at-bats.
- Is one of only five centerfielders to record 400 putouts in a season six times. The others are Willie Mays, Richie Ashburn, Kirby Puckett, and Max Carey.
- Andruw strengthened his wrists as a teenager by swinging a sledge hammer like a baseball bat.
he loves chinese food.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference
- Template:Espn mlb