Andruw Jones facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andruw Jones
Jones with the Texas Rangers in 2009
Center fielder
Born: (1977-04-23) April 23, 1977 (age 49) Willemstad, Curaçao
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
Atlanta Braves (1996–2007) Los Angeles Dodgers (2008) Texas Rangers (2009) Chicago White Sox (2010) New York Yankees (2011–2012) Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (2013–2014)
Career highlights and awards
MLB 5× All-Star (2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) 10× Gold Glove Award (1998–2007) Silver Slugger Award (2005) NL Hank Aaron Award (2005) NL home run leader (2005) NL RBI leader (2005) Atlanta Braves No. 25 retired Braves Hall of Fame NPB All-Star (2013) Japan Series champion (2013)
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	2026
Vote	78.4% (ninth ballot)

Andruw Rudolf Jones (born April 23, 1977) is a former professional baseball player from Curaçao. He was an amazing center fielder for 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Most famously, he played for the Atlanta Braves. He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees. Later, he played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.

Andruw Jones was known for his incredible defense. He won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for outfielders ten years in a row, from 1998 to 2007. He also had a very strong throwing arm. He was chosen for the MLB All-Star team five times. In 2005, he won both the Hank Aaron Award and a Silver Slugger Award for outfielders. In 2026, Andruw Jones was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He is the first player from Curaçao to receive this honor.

Andruw Jones's Early Life and Baseball Start

Growing Up in Curaçao

Andruw Jones was born on April 23, 1977, in Willemstad, Curaçao. He loved baseball from a young age. By the time he was 11, he was already playing on a special youth baseball team. This team even traveled to Japan for a tournament.

Discovering His Position

Andruw was a versatile player and could play almost anywhere on the field. Because of his powerful arm, he often played as a catcher or at third base. A few years later, he found his true calling in the outfield.

Andruw Jones's Professional Baseball Journey

Starting in the Minor Leagues

Andruw Jones signed with the Atlanta Braves organization in 1993 when he was just 16. He quickly showed his talent. After only 27 games, he moved up to a higher league. In 1995, playing for the Class-A Macon team, he hit a home run in his very first at-bat.

That season, he hit 25 home runs and had 100 runs batted in. He also led his league with 56 stolen bases. His amazing performance earned him the minor league player of the year award from USA Today and Baseball America.

Joining the Atlanta Braves (1996–2007)

Making His MLB Debut

The Atlanta Braves called Andruw up to the major leagues on August 15, 1996. He was only 19 years old. In his first MLB game, he got a hit and an RBI. In his second game, he hit a home run and a triple. He quickly showed his power by hitting two home runs in one game on August 22.

He first played in right field because Marquis Grissom was already the team's center fielder. Andruw finished his first season batting .217 with five home runs. The Braves made it to the 1996 World Series that year.

World Series Heroics

In Game 1 of the 1996 World Series, Andruw Jones shined on a national stage. He hit two home runs in his first two at-bats. The Braves won that game 12–1 against the New York Yankees. Andruw became the youngest player ever to hit a home run in the World Series. He broke Mickey Mantle's record. He was also only the second player ever to hit home runs in his first two World Series at-bats.

Becoming a Star Center Fielder

In 1997, Andruw became the Braves' everyday right fielder. He finished his rookie season with 18 home runs and 70 RBIs. He also showed his speed by stealing 20 bases. In 1998, he moved to center field full-time. He had a much better season, hitting 30 home runs. This was also the year he won his first of ten straight Gold Glove Awards.

Andruw continued to improve, especially with his bat. In 2000, he had his best batting average yet, hitting .303. He also hit 36 home runs and had 104 RBIs, earning his first All-Star selection. Many people started comparing him to baseball legend Willie Mays. He was considered one of the best center fielders in baseball.

Leading the League in Home Runs and RBIs

In 2005, Andruw Jones had an incredible season. He worked hard before the season and changed his batting style. He led the National League with 51 home runs and 128 RBIs. This was a new record for the Braves for most home runs in a season. He also hit his 300th career home run that year.

Andruw's powerful hitting helped the Braves win their 14th straight division championship. He finished second in the voting for the NL Most Valuable Player award.

Final Years with the Braves

Andruw Jones at bat in 2006.

Andruw continued to hit for power in 2006, with 41 home runs and 129 RBIs. He also won his ninth Gold Glove award. However, his batting average started to drop in his final seasons with the Braves. In 2007, he hit 26 home runs and 94 RBIs, but his batting average was .222.

On October 2, 2007, the Braves announced that Andruw would not return for the 2008 season. His number 25 was later retired by the team on September 9, 2023.

Playing for Other MLB Teams (2008–2012)

Los Angeles Dodgers

In 2008, Andruw Jones signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, he struggled during his time there. He had a tough season, batting only .158 with three home runs. He was later released by the team.

Texas Rangers

Jones (25) with White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko during spring training action, 2008.

Andruw joined the Texas Rangers in 2009. He started as a pinch-hitter but soon became a starting outfielder. He hit 17 home runs in 82 games for the Rangers, including a game where he hit three home runs.

Chicago White Sox

In 2010, Andruw played for the Chicago White Sox. On July 11, he hit his 400th career home run, a major milestone. He finished the year with 19 home runs.

New York Yankees

Jones with the Yankees in 2011

Andruw Jones signed with the New York Yankees for the 2011 season. He hit a home run in his first at-bat with the team. He played as a backup outfielder and designated hitter for two seasons, hitting 13 home runs in 2011 and 12 in 2012.

Playing in Japan (2013–2014)

Jones with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

In 2012, Andruw Jones agreed to play for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan. In 2013, he hit 26 home runs and had 94 RBIs. He helped the Eagles win their first Japan Series championship. He played for the Eagles for two seasons, hitting 50 home runs in total. He mostly played as a designated hitter and sometimes at first base.

Retirement and Hall of Fame

Andruw Jones's number 25 was retired by the Atlanta Braves in 2023.

After playing in Japan, Andruw Jones officially retired from baseball in February 2016. He then joined the Braves as a special assistant. In 2026, Andruw Jones was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His uniform number, 25, was retired by the Atlanta Braves on September 9, 2023. He was also inducted into the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame in 2016.

Andruw Jones's Career Highlights

Andruw Jones finished his career with a .254 batting average, 434 home runs, and 1,289 runs batted in. His 434 home runs placed him among the top home run hitters of all time.

He was especially known for his amazing defense in center field. From 1998 to 2007, he won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves. This ties him for third place among outfielders for the most Gold Gloves ever won. Baseball experts have even called him the most valuable defensive outfielder in baseball history.

Early in his career, Andruw was also very fast, stealing 20 or more bases each year from 1997 to 2000. As he gained more power, his speed on the bases decreased.

Andruw Jones's International Career

Jones playing for the Netherlands in 2013 World Baseball Classic

Andruw Jones proudly represented the Netherlands national baseball team in international competitions. He played in the first World Baseball Classic (WBC) in 2006. He returned for the 2013 WBC, where he had a much more successful performance.

In 2015, he played for the national team again in the 2015 WBSC Premier12. These were his final games as a player. Andruw Jones managed the Netherlands national team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which took place in Miami in March 2026.

Jones as manager of the Netherlands during the 2026 World Baseball Classic

Andruw Jones's Personal Life

Andruw Jones is married to Nicole Derick. They have a son and a daughter. Their son, Druw, was a top baseball prospect. He was chosen second overall in the 2022 MLB draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Andruw Jones faced some personal challenges during his career. Later, he and his wife supported Jaden's Ladder, a nonprofit organization. This organization helps people who have experienced domestic violence.

Andruw Jones's Awards and Accomplishments

See also

In Spanish: Andruw Jones para niños

• 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