(Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
For those who grew up watching baseball in the late-nineties and early-2000s, Atlanta Braves star Andruw Jones was of the most exciting players in the league.
A man of flair, confidence, and elegance, there was no defender like Jones in center field.
None.
The talented Curaçaoan won 10 consecutive Gold Glove awards from 1998 to 2007 due to his outstanding defense.
He was capable of making the craziest, most improbable catches you will ever see.
Oh, and he was a fine hitter, too.
The Braves will recognize his immense contributions to the franchise in a ceremony on September 9, in which they will retire his number 25.
𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟
The Atlanta Braves will retire number 25, worn by legendary Braves outfielder Andruw Jones! pic.twitter.com/U6Wzhqh7RD
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 3, 2023
The ceremony will take place before the Braves face the Pittsburgh Pirates at 7:20 p.m.
Jones said in a statement:
“It’s a great honor getting your number retired. You don’t think about things like that while you’re playing. You just play the game you love. I’m thankful to the Braves for giving me the opportunity to play the game I love. Being the first kid from Curaçao to have his jersey retired is also an honor. So many kids who grew up there watching me play and this will give them hope on what they can do in their careers.”
In 12 years with the Braves (1996-2007), Jones slashed .263/.342/.497 with 368 home runs, a .839 OPS, and a 114 OPS+.
He also hit 330 doubles and stole 138 bases with them.
As a whole, Jones retired with 434 homers in a 17-year career that has him in consideration for the Hall of Fame.
In his sixth year of eligibility, he collected 58.1 percent of the votes.
He has four years to reach the necessary 75 percent, and it’s looking increasingly likely at this point.
Dale Murphy, Bobby Cox, Chipper Jones, Warren Spahn, John Smoltz, Greg Maddux, Phil Niekro, Eddie Mathews, Hank Aaron, and Tom Glavine have also had their Braves’ numbers retired.
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