Atlanta Braves top 10 franchise outfielders- number 2: Andruw Jones

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Atlanta Braves outfielder Andruw Jones making another improbably catch. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /

For 11 years Andruw Jones owned centerfield

In 1988, Bobby Cox gave Andruw starting the centerfield job; Jones responded by batting .271/.321/.515/.836, hitting 31 homers, stealing 27 bases in 31 attempts, and winning the first of ten consecutive Gold Gloves.

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Over his next ten seasons, Jones batted .266/.344/.503/.847, hit 345 home runs, 305 doubles, 32 triples, and drove in 1034 runs. He appeared in five All-Star games, had five consecutive seasons of 34 or more home runs, hit 29 the next season, and followed that with seasons of 51 and 41 homers.

On defense, he posted 24.2 dWAR, 210.8 ‘WAR runs fielding’ in 1577 games in center field.

No other centerfielder with more than 1000 games played between 1998 through 2007 has more than Carlos Beltran’s 54.1.

Quotes from Jockbio

"“You cannot hit a ball over his head. If the ball’s over his head, it’s out of the ballpark.” —Announcer Tim McCarver “I don’t think there’s any argument—he’s the best centerfielder in the game.” —Astros star Lance Berkman “Andruw has got to save each starter ten runs a year.” —Former teammate Greg Maddux"

That’s a wrap

Injuries and his unwillingness to accept their impact made Andruw’s decline more obvious and hurt his final numbers. However, there’s no disputing his value to the Atlanta Braves. Without Andruw, there’s no streak; it’s really that simple.

I decided against reopening the Andruw Jones/Hall of Fame bucket of worms. By now, most have made up their mind on his candidacy. I watched his whole career and never saw a better defensive outfielder. I’m also old enough to say I watched Willie Mays play on TV, but I lack the hutzpah to say I remember it well enough to make a comparison.

Next. Murph. dark

Tomorrow I wrap up the outfield and move to the battery – no, not the one in Atlanta.

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