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Andruw Jones: Time to Retire His Number 25?

By Matthew Schoettler

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With the Atlanta Braves recently retiring Chipper Jones‘ and John Smoltz‘s numbers, is it time for Andruw Jones to join them in a very prestigious group of Braves immortals?

Andruw Jones broke into the MLB in August of 1996, roughly a year after the Atlanta Braves won their first World Series title in Atlanta in 1995. He signed as an amateur free-agent in 1993 and worked his way through the Braves’ farm system until reaching the Big League club.

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He did not accumulate enough at-bats in 1996 to change his rookie status; thus, in 1997 he was still deemed a rookie and finished fifth in Rookie-of-the-Year voting, losing the honor to Scott Rolen, who was a stud himself. During his rookie season, he hit 18 home-runs and drove in 70 RBI, while stealing 20 bases. Rolen was the only rookie to have more HRs and RBIs than Jones.

After his first full season in 1997, Andruw Jones stepped up his game in 1998, hitting 31 HRs while amassing 90 RBI, not to forget that he stole a career-high 27 bases. In just his second season, he joined a short list of Atlanta Braves’ players to have 25 HRs and 25 SB. In addition to his solid season at the dish, Jones won his first career Gold Glove, something that would become a regular occurrence for seasons to come.

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From 1998-2007, Andruw Jones won a Gold Glove each year, an eye-popping 10 times. He was arguably the best center fielder in the game during this time, while making unbelievable plays day-in, day-out. During that same stretch, Jones was also named to five All-Star teams.

Andruw Jones’ best season came in 2005, where he tore the cover off the ball while playing stellar defense. Jones hit a career-high and league-leading 51 home-runs and 128 RBI. During this season, he won his eighth Gold Glove, earned his fourth trip to the MLB All-Star Game, and won his first and only Silver Slugger Award.

In addition to the awards he won in 2005, Jones nearly won his first MVP award, barely losing to future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols. Jones finished second the MVP race, losing by only 27 points to Pujols. Pujols’ superior 2005 batting average appears as the distinguishing factor between the two MVP candidates. Jones batted .263; while, Pujols finished hitting .330. 

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After the 2005 season, Andruw Jones would accumulate two more Gold Glove Awards and tally one more All-Star Game selection. Ultimately, Jones would finish his tenure with the Atlanta Braves after the 2007 season due to free agency.

Although Andruw Jones’ numbers are not as impressive as Chipper’s, he deserves enshrinement in Atlanta. Andruw posted 368 home-runs, 1117 RBI, 1045 hits, 10 Gold Gloves, five All-Star appearances, and one Silver Slugger Award during his tenure with the Atlanta Braves.

He should have no problem getting his number retired, and once he does, the Jones Brothers (Chipper and Andruw) will finally reunite, this time as Braves immortals. He is a very deserving candidate and ranks as a top-10 Braves player in my book. There have been rumors of Andruw making a comeback in the bigs, but he forever belongs in the Atlanta Braves’ Hall of Fame.

Next: Turner Field: A Monument of Past Greatness, Present Horrors

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