Andruw Jones hopes to make Hall of Fame one day, if not this year
ATLANTA - Former Braves center fielder says he feels humble and grateful to be on the MLB Hall of Fame ballot for the first time. He's also realistic about his chances.
"It's going to be tough," said Jones. "I don't expect to go in tomorrow."
While former Atlanta star Chipper Jones seems like a near-lock to earn entry to Cooperstown when this year's class is announced Wednesday on MLB Network, Andruw Jones seems like a longer shot.
"Hopefully I stay on [the ballot] and hopefully one day they recognize what kind of player I was and hopefully I make it," said Andruw Jones. "Right now I just don't think about it."
Maybe next year, but maybe not. According to one tally of Hall of Fame ballots that have been made public, Jones is close to dipping below being on 5% of ballots. If a player goes below the 5% mark, they are not eligible to be voted on next year.
"I'm not concerned," said Jones. "I don't look at it. I have people tell me about it all the time, so I'm like, 'ok, maybe, I don't know.' It's just one of those things, I really don't put my mind on it. If it happens, it happens, if it don't, hopefully one day it happens. I'm not thinking about it right now."
Jones is perhaps best known for his ten consecutive Gold Glove Awards for his defensive play in center field. His long list of accomplishments also includes fives All-Star teams. The case against Jones getting in the Hall of Fame usually centers around his declining offensive statistics late in his career.
"Everybody looks at different numbers all the time," said Jones. "They say I might not have the average, I might not have the on base percentage. My main thing I wanted to do was go out there and play and be the best I could at my position. I did it for 12 years, 10 years straight. That's the main thing. I'm thankful that I played for the Braves and I helped them win every year I was in the uniform."
Jones is staying positive, even if he knows good news is probably not coming this week. He hopes his call to the Hall will come one day, even if he has to wait a few years.