ATLANTA -- Andruw Jones will receive the Braves’ highest honor when his No. 25 jersey is retired before a Sept. 9 game against the Pirates at Truist Park.
“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,” said Jones. “I’m thankful to the Braves for giving me the opportunity to play the game I love.”
Jones will be the 11th former Brave to have his number retired by the club. The others include Dale Murphy (3), Bobby Cox (6), Chipper Jones (10), Warren Spahn (21), John Smoltz (29), Greg Maddux (31), Phil Niekro (35), Eddie Mathews (41), Hank Aaron (44) and Tom Glavine (47). Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 jersey was retired by every MLB club in 1997.
Murphy and Andruw Jones are the only members of the above group who haven’t been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Jones’ recent support has created reason to think he may be elected within the next couple years.
“Andruw Jones is one of the most dynamic, beloved players to ever wear a Braves uniform,” Braves chairman Terry McGuirk said. “His impact on this organization far outlives his playing days, and this number retirement is a well-deserved honor.”
Regarded as one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball history, Jones won 10 Gold Glove Awards and was part of 10 postseason teams during his 12-season stint with the Braves. His bWAR (61.0) ranks fourth in franchise history among position players, trailing only Aaron (142.5), Mathews (94.0) and Chipper Jones (85.3).
Jones led all Major Leaguers with a 26.7 defensive bWAR during his 11 full seasons (1997-2007) with the Braves. Ivan Rodriguez ranked second with 16.5.
The 60.9 bWAR Jones produced during this 11-season span ranked third in the Majors behind Alex Rodriguez (85.7) and Barry Bonds (79.2). Chipper Jones ranked fourth at 60.9.
Andruw Jones mashed 434 homers in his career, 368 of them with Atlanta. The five-time All-Star hit a Major League-best 51 in 2005, when he finished runner-up in the NL MVP race to Albert Pujols and won a Silver Slugger Award and the Hank Aaron Award.
Andruw Jones rose to the Majors near the end of the 1996 season, and he created history two months later under the bright lights at Yankee Stadium. The 19-year-old outfielder entered the record books when he homered in his first two career World Series plate appearances.
“Being the first kid from Curaçao to have his jersey retired is also an honor," Andruw Jones said. “So many kids who grew up there watching me play, and this will give them hope on what they can do in their careers.”