Andruw Jones- Texas Rangers, 2009
Jones is another former Ranger in his fifth year on the ballot, receiving 33.9% of the votes on last season’s ballot.
Much like Vizquel, Andruw Jones quickly became one of the greatest defensive center fielders in baseball history. Jones won 10 Gold Gloves consecutively over his 17 year career.
Jones only saw one season in Arlington, sharing the field with Vizquel in 2009. That lone season in the Lone Star State wasn’t his best showing, either.
32-years old in 2009, Jones hit a whopping .214/.323/.459/782 over 82 games with the Rangers. Although, he was stellar defensively during his 25 games in the field, playing all three outfield positions and first base.
Overall, the question with Andruw Jones’ career is whether he consistently hit enough to get in the Hall of Fame. He was among the league’s best players from 1996-2006, but saw a major drop off in production on the back half of his career.
One thing to note, as well, Jones was arrested in 2012 on battery charges after a dispute with his wife.
Using Bill James’ Hall of Fame monitor, Jones barely sits above that 100-mark (109). Does he deserve to get in? Did he play his way out of the Hall of Fame? Does that arrest hinder his chances? We’ll have to wait and see.