Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Andruw Jones

How Andruw Jones built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Andruw Jones, a Curaçaoan former MLB center fielder, is best known for his time with the Atlanta Braves. Renowned for his exceptional defense, he won ten consecutive Gold Glove Awards (1998-2007) and possessed a powerful throwing arm. Jones was a five-time All-Star. In 2005, he was recognized with both the Hank Aaron Award and a Silver Slugger Award. He also played for the Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox, and Yankees, as well as in Japan's NPB.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1993: Signed with Atlanta Braves

In 1993, Andruw Jones signed with the Atlanta Braves organization as a free agent at age 16.

1995: Played for Class-A Macon

In 1995, Andruw Jones played for Class-A Macon, hitting 25 home runs and driving in 100 runs, and was named minor league player of the year by USA Today and Baseball America.

August 15, 1996: Major League Debut with Braves

On August 15, 1996, Andruw Jones made his major league debut with the Atlanta Braves at 19 years old, going 1-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.

1996: MLB Debut

In 1996, Andruw Jones made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves and hit a home run in the World Series, becoming the youngest player to do so.

1996: Earned a playoff spot on the Braves' roster

In 1996, Andruw Jones's speed earned him the last playoff spot on the Braves' roster.

1996: Two Home Runs in World Series Game 1

In Game 1 of the 1996 World Series, Andruw Jones hit two home runs, becoming the youngest player to homer in the World Series.

1997: Braves Everyday Right Fielder

In 1997, Andruw Jones became the Braves' everyday right fielder and finished the season with a .231 batting average, 18 home runs, and 70 runs batted in, also stealing 20 bases.

1997: Stole 20 or more bases

In 1997, Andruw Jones stole 20 or more bases.

1998: Won consecutive Gold Gloves

From 1998, Andruw Jones won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves.

1998: Moved to Center Field and Won Gold Glove Award

In 1998, Andruw Jones moved to center field nearly full-time and won his first of ten consecutive Gold Glove Awards.

1998: First Gold Glove Award

In 1998, Andruw Jones won his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award for outfielders, marking the beginning of a ten-year streak.

1998: Jones last hit eighth in the lineup

In 2007, prior to signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Andruw Jones had not hit eighth in any lineup since 1998.

2000: First All-Star Team Selection

In 2000, Andruw Jones batted .303 with 36 home runs and 104 RBIs, leading to his first All-Star team selection.

2000: Breakout Season and All-Star Selection

In 2000, Andruw Jones had a breakout season with career highs in batting average (.303), home runs (36), and RBIs (104), earning his first All-Star Game appearance.

2000: Stole 20 or more bases

In 2000, Andruw Jones stole 20 or more bases.

2000: Runs in a Single Season

In 2006, Andruw Jones had the most runs in a single season since the year 2000.

2001: Last time stealing 10+ bases

In 2001, Andruw Jones stole 11 bases, the last time he would steal 10 or more bases in a season.

2002: Homer in Four Straight At-Bats

In 2002, Andruw Jones became the 11th player in MLB history to homer in four straight at-bats. He was also named to his second All-Star team.

2003: Career High in RBIs

In 2003, Andruw Jones achieved a new career high in RBIs, with 116, and made his third All-Star team, homering in the game.

2003: Last Braves Hitter to Hit 40 Home Runs

In 2005, Andruw Jones became the first Braves hitter since Javy Lopez in 2003 to hit 40 home runs in a season.

September 14, 2005: 300th Career Home Run

On September 14, 2005, Andruw Jones hit his 300th career home run against the Philadelphia Phillies.

2005: Hit 51 Home runs.

In 2005, Andruw Jones hit 51 home runs, with a .263 batting average, a .575 slugging percentage, .347 OBP, and 95 runs scored.

2005: Led National League in Home Runs and RBIs

In 2005, Andruw Jones led the National League with 51 home runs and 128 RBIs, finishing second in NL MVP voting.

2005: Hank Aaron Award and Silver Slugger Award

In 2005, Andruw Jones won both the Hank Aaron Award and a Silver Slugger Award for outfielders.

2006: Finished Season with 41 Home Runs and 129 RBIs

Andruw Jones finished the 2006 season with 41 home runs and 129 RBIs, winning his ninth consecutive Gold Glove award. He also had his most runs in a single season since 2000.

2006: Played in World Baseball Classic

Before the 2006 season, Andruw Jones played in the World Baseball Classic for the Netherlands.

2006: Career High in RBIs

In 2006, Andruw Jones achieved a career-high 129 RBIs.

December 5, 2007: Signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers

On December 5, 2007, Andruw Jones signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers worth $36.2 million.

2007: Signed with the Dodgers

After the 2007 season, Andruw Jones signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers for $36.2 million as a free agent.

2007: Finished Season with 26 Home Runs and 94 RBIs

In 2007, Andruw Jones finished the season with 26 home runs and 94 RBIs, but only batted .222 and struck out 138 times. He was also honored with a Fielding Bible Award.

2007: Final Gold Glove Award

In 2007, Andruw Jones won his tenth and final consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award for outfielders.

2007: Potential Last Year as a Brave

In 2007, many felt that it would be Andruw Jones' last year as a Brave, mostly because of his potential value on the market.

2007: Won consecutive Gold Gloves

Through 2007, Andruw Jones won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves.

September 13, 2008: Season ended with Dodgers

On September 13, 2008, Andruw Jones was placed on the 60-day disabled list, ending his season with the Dodgers.

January 15, 2009: Released by the Dodgers

On January 15, 2009, Andruw Jones was officially released by the Los Angeles Dodgers after an agreement was reached during the off-season for a trade or release in exchange for deferring some of his remaining contract money.

February 8, 2009: Signed with the Texas Rangers

On February 8, 2009, Andruw Jones signed a one-year minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, which paid him $500,000 for making the major league team and offered $1 million in incentives.

November 25, 2009: Signed deal for 2010

On November 25, 2009, Jones signed a $500,000 deal for the 2010 season with up to an additional $1 million in performance bonuses.

2009: Jones did not want to return to the Dodgers.

After the 2008 season ended, Jones stated he did not want to return to the Dodgers in 2009, citing the Los Angeles fans did not give him a fair chance.

April 23, 2010: Two home runs on 33rd birthday

On April 23, 2010, Andruw Jones hit two home runs on his 33rd birthday, including a walk-off to help the White Sox win 7–6 over the Seattle Mariners.

2010: Jose Bautista broke Jones's record

In 2010, Jose Bautista broke Jones's record of the lowest batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and runs scored in a season for a hitter that belted 50+ home runs in a season.

2010: 400th Career Home Run

In 2010, while playing for the Chicago White Sox, Andruw Jones hit his 400th career home run.

January 20, 2011: Agreed to contract with New York Yankees

On January 20, 2011, Andruw Jones and the New York Yankees agreed to a contract for the 2011 season for $2 million, with an additional $1.2 million in performance bonuses.

December 30, 2011: Re-signed with the Yankees

On December 30, 2011, Andruw Jones re-signed with the New York Yankees, signing a one-year deal worth $2 million.

December 7, 2012: Signed with Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

On December 7, 2012, Andruw Jones agreed to a one-year contract with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball worth ¥300 million (approximately $3.5 million).

2012: Backup on Yankees

During the 2012 season with the Yankees, Andruw Jones was slated to be a backup player, but due to Brett Gardner's DL stint, Jones received more starts than anticipated.

2013: Played in World Baseball Classic

Andruw Jones returned to the Netherlands national baseball team for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, slashing .333/.441/.370.

2014: Re-signed with Rakuten

After the 2013 season, Jones re-signed with Rakuten for the 2014 season, agreeing to a one-year contract worth ¥400 million (approximately $3.8 million).

2015: Attempted MLB comeback

After playing in Japan, Jones attempted a comeback in the 2015 MLB season.

2015: Played in the 2015 Premier12

In 2015, Andruw Jones was selected to play with the Netherlands national team as a first baseman for the 2015 Premier12, hitting .250 over five games. These were his final games as a player.

February 2016: Retired from baseball

After attempting comebacks in the 2015 MLB season, Andruw Jones officially retired from baseball in February 2016 and was hired by the Braves as a special assistant later that month.

March 2026: Named manager of Netherlands national team

Andruw Jones was named the manager of the Netherlands national team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which will take place in Miami in March 2026.