Andruw Jones, one of the most dominant center fielders of his era, is currently in his sixth year on the Hall of Fame ballot. Jones’ remarkable defensive abilities and powerful hitting during his prime years have placed him in the company of some of the greatest players to have ever graced the position. His career was marked by his ten Gold Glove Awards, and he amassed an impressive 434 home runs, with a notable 51 homers in 2005.
From 1998-2006, Jones showcased his hitting prowess by crushing 319 of his career home runs while maintaining an impressive .513 slugging percentage. However, his later years from 2008-2012 with the Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox, and Yankees saw a considerable decrease in performance, reflected by a slugging percentage of .424 and a batting average of .210.
Despite the decline in his later years, Jones’ Hall of Fame vote percentage has steadily risen—from 7.3% in 2018 to 41.4% in 2022, signaling increased recognition for his contributions to the sport.
Here are four compelling reasons why Andruw Jones deserves to be in the Hall of Fame:
Firstly, Jones’ ten Gold Gloves rank him alongside legends such as Roberto Clemente and Willie Mays. He stands as one of only four outfielders to achieve ten Gold Gloves, placing him in an elite group of defensive superstars.
Furthermore, Jones’ defensive skills are reinforced by his exceptional career performance. With a total of 24.4 defensive WAR, he holds the distinction of being the outfielder with the highest defensive WAR in MLB history. Additionally, his 230 total zone runs as a center fielder further solidify his status as one of the greatest defensive players of all time.
In terms of offensive output, Jones also excelled. Between 1998 and 2006, his WAR of 54.5 ranked him in the top three among all position players, showcasing his all-around value to his team.
Finally, Jones’ peak seven-year WAR of 46.4 surpasses the average of 19 Hall of Fame center fielders, strategically positioning him amongst some of baseball’s most illustrious figures.
And so, the question remains—will Andruw Jones eventually be granted his rightful place in the Hall of Fame? With his exceptional defensive prowess, extraordinary career achievements, and outstanding peak performance, Jones has certainly made a strong case for his induction into Cooperstown.
