Andruw Jones

At 47 years old, Andruw Jones has this physical status:

Andruw Rudolf Jones (Papiamento pronunciation: [andruw d=onz]; born April 23, 1977) is a Curaçaoan former baseball outfielder and designated hitter who appeared in Major League Baseball (MLB), most notable for the Atlanta Braves. Jones has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees, as well as in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Jones, a nationally recognized defensive specialist, earned the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for outfielders every year from 1998 to 2007. In comparison to his elite fielding, he had a strong throwing arm. He was a member of the MLB All-Stars five times, and in 2005, he received both the Hank Aaron Award and a Silver Slugger Award for outfielders.

Jones made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves in 1996. He was the first player to homer in his first two World Series at-bats in 1996, and the second player to ever hit a home run in the postseason. Jones finished fifth in Rookie of the Year polling this year. Jones increased his offensive output from 1998 to 1999, and in 2000, he batted.303 with 36 home runs and 104 runs batted in (RBIs), his first All-Star team. Jones began to draw many comparisons to Willie Mays and was rated as one of baseball's top center fielders. He was 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 hit over 30 home runs and drove in 104 runs, but his average dropped to.251 as his strikeouts increased. Jones was active with All-Star seasons in 2002 and 2003, but he didn't make it to at least 30 home runs in 2004 for the first time since 1999 and tied for the first time since 1999 and exceeded 100 strikeouts, which became a regular occurrence. He led the National League (NL) in 2005 with 51 home runs and 128 RBIs, finishing second to Albert Pujols for NL Most Valuable Player. His average began to decline in subsequent years, but his strikeouts increased. Jones had his lowest season to date in 2006, with a career-high 129 RBIs, but batting just.222. Jones was one of the youngest players in MLB history to reach 300 home runs during his time with Atlanta.

Jones was a free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006, earning $36.2 million. Jones, on the other hand, had a rough start with the Dodgers, batting just.158 with three home runs and 14 RBIs. Jones was released a short time after the season began. Jones went from a center fielder to designated hitter and a fourth outfielder role in his MLB career with brief stints with the Rangers, White Sox, and Yankees. Jones was in his 400th home run with the White Sox when he was with them.

Early life

Jones was born in Willemstad, the capital city of Curaçao, on the Caribbean island nation of Curaçao.

Jones was on a youth select team that had traveled all the way to Japan to compete in a tournament by the age of 11. Jones could play any position on the field, but he often found himself at catcher or third base. A few years ago, he was moved to the outfield.

Personal life

Jones was married to Nicole Derick. They are the parents of one son, Druw, and Madison's daughter, Madison. Druw was the top prospect in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft and was ranked second overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he was the top prospect in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft.

Jones was arrested for battery early on Christmas Day, 2012, after police officers responded to a domestic violence call between him and his wife Nicole in suburban Atlanta. He was released on a $2,400 bond later that morning. Nicole Jones filed for divorce in early January 2013.

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Early professional career

Jones became a free agent with the Atlanta Braves in 1993 at the age of 16. Jones was promoted to Danville, Alabama, after only 27 games with the Braves farm team in West Palm Beach, Florida.

In 1995, Jones played for Class-A Macon. In his first at bat, he belted a homer. He had 25 home runs and 100 runs batted in and ended the season. Jones was also a leader in the South Atlantic League with 56 steals. Since being named Minor League Player of the Year, his stellar season was brought to a close.

Professional career

Jones was drafted by the Braves to Atlanta on August 15, 1996, when he was just 19 years old. Jones went 1-for-5 in his first Major League game, with a run batted in and a run scored. He went 2-for-5 with a home run and a triple in his second game. On August 22, he played his first multi-homer game against the Reds. He spent his early days in the majors playing in right field because Marquis Grissom, the veteran center fielder, was already established in the position. He finished the season off batting.217 with five home runs and 13 RBIs.

Jones was drafted to the Braves' postseason roster in 1996. Jones batted.222 with a home run and 3 RBIs in the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals. The Braves won the Series and advanced to the World Series.

Jones showed his talents on the national stage in Game 1 of the 1996 World Series on October 20, 1996. As the Braves defeated the New York Yankees 12–1. He batted for two home runs to left field on his first two at bats. Jones became the youngest player to homer in the World Series at the age of 19 years, 180 days, defeating Mickey Mantle's record of 20 years, 362 days, on Mantle's 65th birthday. Jones was the only other player to hit home runs in his first two World Series at bats for Gene Tenace. Tenace was a member of the Oakland Athletics in 1972.

Jones was the Braves' everyday right fielder in 1997. Jones had his first home run of the season against Jeff McCurry of the Rockies. On July 22, Jones played his second multi-homer game against the Cubs. In a game against the Boston Red Sox on August 31, Jones went 3-for-3 with a home run and five runs batted. Jones' rookie season saw him post a.231 batting average, 18 home runs, and 70 runs batted in. Jones demonstrated his agility by stealing 20 bases. He came in 5th in the Rookie of the Year polls.

He made the switch to center field almost full-time in 1998 and had a much more productive year. On September 13, he scored his 30th home run of the season against Florida. He also received his first of ten straight Gold Glove Awards. Jones went 0 for 9 in the 1998 National League Division Series, but he did draw 3 walks. The Braves won the series against the Cubs. Jones hit.273 with a home run and two RBIs in the 1998 NLCS against the San Diego Padres. However, the Braves lost the series in six games.

Jones played the game with a relaxed attitude whether he was in the batter's box or floating under a fly ball to make a quick basket catch. In a game in which Cox pulled Jones out of a game because Jones had lazily allowed a single to fall in center field in June 1998, he briefly earned him the ire of manager Bobby Cox in June 1998. Jones went on to hit.271 with 31 home runs and 90 runs batted in, as well as taking 27 bases. Jones, who is now 22 years old, had similar numbers in 1999. He had a breakout season with his bat in 2000, with career highs in batting average (.303), home runs (36), and RBIs (104). He made his first All-Star Game appearance. He has served in the National League in Plate Appearances (779) and At Bats (656). Jones struggled against the Cardinals in the National League Division Series. With a home run, he went 1 for 9 runs. The Braves lost the series.

However, Jones' batting average increased in 2001 and his strikeouts increased. Jones had 34 home runs and 104 RBIs, but his average dropped to only.251 and he struck out 142 runs. Jones had gained nearly 30 pounds since joining the Major Leagues, dramatically reducing his basepath speed (he didn't steal more than 11 bases since 2001). He had a similar batting debut in 2002, but he was also superb defense. In his last two at-bats, he belted two home runs on September 7. He belted two more home runs in his first two at-bats on September 10. In four straight at-bats, he became the 11th player in MLB history to homer in four straight at-bats. Jones belted three home runs against the Phillies on September 25, then. Jones was the first Braves player to reach three home runs in a game since Jeff Blauser did it in 1992. Jones was selected to his second All Star team. With 35 home runs and 94 RBIs, he concluded the season on a high note.

Jones set a new career high-water record in RBIs in 2003, with power-hitting Gary Sheffield in the lineup. Jones was a member of his third All Star squad and homered in the game. The American League defeated the National League 7-6. He took a step backward in 2004 when he hit fewer than 30 home runs and struck out 147 times. Jones was the object of trade rumors throughout the season.

Jones intensified his workout regimen and followed Willie Mays' advice to widen his batting ranges during the 2005 season. The result was his most offensive season ever. Jones carried the Braves after Chipper Jones went down with a foot injury early in 2005. Jones was leading the National League in home runs with 27 runs by the All Star break. Jones was accepted into the All Star team, his fourth appearance in the sport. In a loss to the Cubs on August 23, Jones saw his 40th home run of the season. It was the first time he's had at least 40 home runs in a season. Jones was the first Braves hitter to reach 40 home runs in a season since Javy Lopez did it in 2003. Jones won by 12–4 over the Philadelphia Phillies on September 14, 2005, in his 300th home run. In left field at Citizens Bank Park, the ball landed in the upper deck. Jones was the first hitter since Alex Rodriguez (57) and Jim Thome (52) to reach at least 50 home runs in a season. Jones also became the 12th player to reach 300 home runs before his 30th birthday in history.

Jones earned the Babe Ruth Home Run Award after a record-breaking 51 home runs, beating Hank Aaron's and Eddie Mathews' single-season club record and winning the Babe Ruth Home Run Award. He also led the National League with a career-best 128 RBI. Jones' blistering hitting in the summer, particularly when teammate Chipper Jones was out with an injury, helped the Braves win their 14th consecutive division championship. In the 2005 NL MVP election, he came in second, behind St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols.

Jones had a home run and five RBIs in the 2005 National League Divisional Series against the Houston Astros. However, the Astros won the series, 3–1.

Jones appeared in the World Baseball Classic for the Netherlands before the 2006 season.

Jones started the season by hitting a home run off Derek Lowe's pitch. Jones ended the game by going 2 for 4 with a home run, 4 runs batted in, a strikeout, and a base on balls. The Braves took the game 11–10. Jones played in 4 games from April 16 to April 19, 2004, a record set in the United States. He batted.438 with 5 home runs and 8 runs batted in during that stretch. Jones averaged 281 on April, 8 home runs, and 23 runs batted in (RBI).

In a 6 runs batted against the Cardinals on July 18, Jones tied his highest appearance in his career against the Cardinals. He was also 5 for 5 with two home runs. Jones ran in 3 runs in a game against the Giants on August 29, giving him his 1000th career RBI. Jones was back in his 40th home run of the season on September 26, in a game against the New York Mets. He was the first hitter in Atlanta to have consecutive seasons of at least 40 home runs. Jones had 41 home runs and 129 RBIs in 2006, ending the season with 41 home runs and 129 RBIs. Jones also became more selective at the plate (82 walks, compared to 64 in the previous season), leading to 107 runs in 2006, an increase over the previous year and the most in a single season since 2000. He received his ninth Gold Glove Award in a row. The Braves posted a 79–83 record in the first year since 1990 and missed the postseason for the first time since 1990.

Many fans and sports analysts alike expected that 2007 would be his last year as a Brave, largely because of the Braves' potential value on the market that the Braves would not be able to afford. Jones, on the other hand, off to a slow start to the season, winning 51 times in 41 games and carrying a batting average in the low.200s in April and May.

Jones had a three-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 30, which was a three-run walk-off home run. Chris Capuano struck his 350th homer off the coast of Colorado on May 28. Jones continued to have high success after the All-Star break, but his batting average remained poor. He was voted the best fielding center field fielder in MLB by a Fielding Bible Award. Jones had 26 home runs and 94 RBIs in the 2007 season. Jones on the downside, he only struck out 138 times, hitting.222 on the downside.

The Braves announced on October 2 that they would not be bringing Jones back for the 2008 season.

Jones signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers worth $36.2 million on December 5, 2007. He continued to fail after being out of shape and over 20 pounds overweight, going back to his lowest mark for the majority of the season. In addition, he had only 10 hits in 116 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Jones was lowered to eighth in the Dodger line-up due to his inability to produce. Jones had hit eighth in any line-up since 1998.

Jones was put on the disabled list for the first time in his entire career on May 25, 2008. Since injuring his knee during batting practice earlier this day, he underwent knee surgery. Joe Torre, the Dodgers' general manager, benched Jones on July 27, 2008, saying that he would only be used as a spot starter in the future. Jones had a.166 batting average, two home runs, and 12 RBIs compiled with 68 strikeouts in 187 at-bats.

Jones was pushed on the 60-day disabled list and cut from the playoff roster on September 13, bringing an end to his season with the Dodgers. Jones had a.158 batting average, just three home runs, and 14 RBI throughout the season. Jones said he did not want to return to the Dodgers in 2009, but 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 waiver of some of the remaining funds due to his salary. Jones was officially released by the Dodgers on January 15, 2009.

Jones agreed to a one-year minor league deal with the Texas Rangers on February 8, 2009; the offer paid him $500,000 for his participation in the major leagues and gave him $1 million in incentives. Jones reportedly turned down a similar bid from the New York Yankees to compete for their center field position, but he expressed an interest in staying with the Rangers even though he would not be a starter. He was the Rangers' final roster spot.

He was supposed to be a pinch-hitter for the Rangers but instead he was forced to play in the outfield due to Josh Hamilton's injury. Jones' debut with an RBI and two runs scored in his Rangers debut. Jones was batting.344 with three home runs and six runs batted in by the end of April.

Jones was also able to play for his old team, the Dodgers, in a game against his old team. On June 13, Jones was homering in each game for the first time in both games. Jones went 2 for 5 with a home run and 4 runs batted in a match against the Rays on July 4, going 2 for 5 with a home run and 4 runs batted. Jones won by 8-1 in a game against the Angels on July 8th. It was his second game in his career as a homer. In his final two at-bats, Jones had a chance to hit his fourth home run of the season, but he was forced to leave and falter out. "I was considering it." I tried. "I just didn't get it done," Jones said. "I'm just glad we won." Jones dropped to.214 on the season, but he did have 17 home runs in 82 games.

Jones signed a $500,000 contract for 2010 with up to an additional $1 million in performance compensation on November 25, 2009. Jones, unlike everything else he had done with the Braves and Dodgers in previous seasons, arrived at camp in a healthy shape, a full 30 pounds lighter than his previous weight. Jones, 33rd birthday, scored two home runs, including a walk-off on April 23, 2010 to help the White Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 7-06. He reached his 400th home run on July 11, his fourth in his career.

He finished the year with nineteen home runs in 278 at-bats. In 107 games, he had 44 runs, 48 RBI, and 64 base hits, the most games he has played in since 2007.

Jones and the New York Yankees agreed to a $2 million deal for the 2011 season, along with additional $1.2 million in performance compensation. Jones struck a home run over the left field wall at Yankee Stadium on April 5, 2011 off of Minnesota Twins Brian Duensing in his first Yankees at-bat.

Jones batted in at a.247 average, 13 home runs, and 33 runs batted in the season. After the World Series, he became a free agent.

Jones re-signed with the Yankees for the 2012 season on December 30, 2011. A one-year contract worth $2 million. He was supposed to be a back-up. Jones got off to a faster start than anticipated, thanks in large part to Brett Gardner's DL stint. Jones did well in his first 62 games, including three in Boston, but he only topped.139 in August and September with two home runs in his final 32 games.

Jones agreed to a one-year, 500,000 (approximately US$3.5 million) deal with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan's Pacific League on December 7, 2012. He had 26 home runs in 478 at-bats during the regular season. In 143 games, he was batting, 116 base hits, and 105 walks, assisting the Eagles in their first Pacific League Championship. His steady appearance in the postseason continued, with two home runs in the 2013 Pacific League Climax Series and one in the 2013 Japan Series respectively, which was a key role in the Eagles' victory in the Japan Series. Jones re-signed with Rakuten for the 2014 season, agreeing to a one-year deal worth 400 million (approximately US$3.8 million). Jones played 48 games at first base, much more than the eight he played in his career before heading to Japan, in his two years with Rakuten.

Jones has attempted comebacks in both the 2015 and 2016 MLB seasons after playing in Japan. In February 2016, he officially retired from baseball and was hired by the Braves as a special assistant later this month.

Career summary

Jones had a career average of.254 runs, 434 home runs, and 1,289 runs batted in at the end of the 2012 season. He currently ranks 40 on the career home run list, where he currently ranks 40. Jones' weak spot has been against the breaking ball and hitting for a high average. Jones has only batted.300 or better in his career (he batted.303 in 2000), and since 2007, the year he turned 30, he has hit just.214.

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+ bases from 1997 to 2000. However, his speed slowed as he gained more power. Since he took 11 bases in 2001, Jones hasn't stolen at least ten bases. This could also be due to a noticeable weight gain.

Jones also had the lowest batting average (since Jose Bautista's 2010), on-base percentage, and runs scored in a season for a hitter with 50+ home runs in a season. Jones was 51 in 2005, but he batted just.263, with a.347 on base and 95 runs scored, but only.263 was batted.

Jones gained ten Gold Gloves from 1998 to 2007. He has been voted second in a tie for second with Al Kaline, Ichiro Suzuki, and Ken Griffey Jr. for the most Gold Gloves won by an outfielder. Jones is also one of five center fielders to record at least 400 putouts in a season six times. Willie Mays, Richie Ashburn, Kirby Puckett, and Max Carey are among the others.

International career

Jones was born in Curaçao and qualified for the Netherlands national baseball team during their participation in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006. Jones will then join the team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Jones was chosen as a first baseman for the National Dutch team two years ago in 2015. Later that day, he revealed that those were his last games as a player.

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