Philly Front Office

I have never liked a New York Met. None of them. Unless they eventually brought glory to the Phillies, they have no redeeming qualities. The same can be said for all the Atlanta Braves, with one exception: Andruw Jones. I know, I’m just as confused as you are. It probably has to do with his peak coinciding with the most moribund years of Phillies fandom. No matter what though, I always find myself defending him and celebrating his Hall of Fame case. Unfortunately dear reader, you are going to have to hear those arguments below. Don’t bother hitting back on your browser, it’s too late.

Thursday, August 28 at 6:45p – Aaron Nola vs Cal Quantrill (R)
Friday, August 29 at 6:45p – Ranger Suarez vs Bryce Elder (R)
Saturday, August 30 at 6:05p – Cristopher Sanchez vs Chris Sale (L)
Sunday, August 31 at 7:00p – Jesus Luzardo vs Hurston Waldrep (R)

4 Game Series at Citizen’s Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Current Hall of Fame Standing

Next year will be Jones’s 9th attempt at being voted into the Hall of Fame. 10 is the limit. At this rate, it is up in the air whether he makes it considering his progression has stalled the last 3 years:

• 7.3%
• 7.5%
• 19.4%
• 33.9%
• 41.4%
• 58.1%
• 61.6%
• 66.2%

2026 is probably his best chance considering no one with any juice should be entering the picture. Last year he had to contend with a crowded ballot that included Ichiro and CC Sabathia. The best candidate coming in 2026 is Cole Hamels who, as much as it pains me to say, probably isn’t Hall worthy. In 2027 though, Buster Posey enters the ballot. Those 3 World Series rings probably make him a 1st ballot guy taking up a lot of voter oxygen.

Stats are Only Half the Picture

…but they are still a pretty picture! Jones played 17 years in the majors, debuting when he was just 19 for the Atlanta Braves and played in the World Series. Over his career, he would hit 434 HRs and even led the league with 51 in 2005. He hit over 30 HRs seven times and had over 100 RBIs five times. As for WAR, he had six 5+ WAR seasons and two more at 4.9. For his career, he finished with 62.7. Among position players, only 9 eligible positions players born after 1900 have had a higher WAR and not been elected (excluding PED guys). Who are they? Glad you asked:

• Lou Whitaker – 75.1
• Bobby Grich – 71.1
• Kenny Lofton – 68.4 (I LOVE Kenny Lofton)
• Graig Nettles – 68
• Dwight Evans – 67.2
• Buddy Bell – 66.3
• Willie Randolph – 65.9
• Reggie Smith – 64.6
• Ken Boyer – 62.8

I’m sure every local who fell in love with these guys during their career has their own reasons each should be in the Hall, but all of them, save one, have the same thing in common. They all played good, long, steady careers without ever being great. Sure they made all-star teams and received some MVP votes, but none of them had anything that made them truly stand out in a crowded Hall of Fame field. Hall of Very Good, yes. Hall of Fame, no. The exception to this is surprisingly the lowest guy on the list, Ken Boyer, when he won the 1964 MVP over Phillie Johnny Callison. Boyer had a 9-year prime that was very good, but had about 6 years of doing very little unfortunately. Still, he should probably be in too.

Jones had three 7+ WAR seasons which completely blow away everyone on the list, even Boyer. His 8.2 in 2000 also represent a high mark for the group. None other than Boyer can match Jones’s 2005 MVP runner up season either. What separates Jones from all the rest though is his defense. Jones was the centerfielder of centerfielders during his time with the Braves, taking home 10 consecutive Gold Gloves.

Hall Worthy?

The trophies are nice, but if you watched him, you just knew. He might be the best fielder I have ever seen. He caught EVERYTHING! Check this out (on mute, because Braves announcers are the worst). In the end, that’s the part that makes him Hall worthy for me. While he played, he did something better than everyone else and did it for a long time. Of course, if that’s all you do, then I can see not making it. But with Jones, that wasn’t all. He wasn’t an offensive force, but he still had a career .820 OPS, plus all those HRs. Watching him, he seemed like a Hall of Famer. To me, this is an easy one.

All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference