Atlanta – When Andruw Jones first glided into our living rooms in 1996, he launched home runs and triggered wild speculation.
If he was capable of embracing the World Series spotlight at 19, how good could this kid be?
Jones provided the definitive, if not long-anticipated, answer this season. All he did was save the Atlanta Braves. Basically he took a team that was reeling from injuries to Chipper Jones and multiple starting pitchers and lugged them to a 14th consecutive division title.
“I don’t know where we would be without him,” said pitcher John Thomson, knowing they likely wouldn’t be hosting the Houston Astros today in a National League divisional series. “I don’t even want to think about it.”
Jones has had great years before. He blasted 36 home runs in 2000. He drove in 116 runs in 2003. But he never produced GameBoy numbers, never acted as the Braves’ rudder. His nonchalant attitude provoked frustration among teammates, and when his statistics declined last year, the mystery deepened. Would he ever realize his potential, or live comfortably on the periphery of superstardom?
That question would be answered June 5 when Chipper Jones could no longer bear the pain in his left foot. The face of the Braves wouldn’t return until July 18. While Chipper Jones was out, Andruw Jones hit .311 with 15 home runs and 37 RBIs and the Braves went 22-15, serving notice this wouldn’t be the year the lights were turned out in Georgia.
“I wasn’t doing well at the time. I was frustrated. It was time for me to step up,” Andruw Jones said. “I wanted to help us get consistent, get into first place and stay there.”
Jones is a remarkable athlete who appears much bigger in person than his listed 6-feet-1, 210 pounds. He always has had power, but was unable to harness it over a full season. Until now. He finished with 51 home runs and 128 RBIs, both of which led the National League.
Often left unprotected in a lineup surrounded by kids – Adam LaRoche and 47-year-old Julio Franco hit behind him – Jones credits his resurgence to winter workouts. He spent countless hours swinging a bat, driven to reward manager Bobby Cox, whom he considers a father figure, for the patience he has shown in him.
“I really wanted to improve, and my one goal was to play much better than I did last season. I thought I might hit 40 home runs, but not 50,” Jones said. “But I will take it.”
Even as Giants manager Felipe Alou and baseball great Andre Dawson endorse him, Jones’ MVP candidacy has attracted criticism from voters in favor of St. Louis’ Albert Pujols. Jones hit a pedestrian .263. The lowest batting average for an MVP was Marty Marion’s .267 in 1944.
And just as Cindy Crawford has a mole, Jones features a glaring blemish: he hit .207 with runners in scoring position.
“Still, he threw out 50 home runs,” Rockies first baseman Todd Helton said, “and he played his best, at a premium position, when his team needed him most.”
The counterpoint to any hitting discrepancy is Jones’ defense. He will most likely win his eighth consecutive Gold Glove. The Braves leaned on him more than ever, becoming the first team since the 1989 San Francisco Giants to win their division and finish last in strikeouts.
“The reason we have won so many ERA titles here is because of him. We definitely appreciate him,” pitching coach Leo Mazzone said. “You are talking about the best center fielder since Willie Mays. Everyone around here knows what he has meant to us this season.”
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5457 or trenck@denverpost.com.
