Interesting Read On Andruw

[clvclv]

Yesterday on FanGraphs...

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/sunday-n...-andruw-jones/


Found this statement particularly notable...

" One could reasonably argue that Jones — prior to falling off a cliff after the age of 30 — was the best ever at fielding his position."


Take that Andrelton!!!

[CyYoung31]

Didn’t realize Andrelton played CF.

[clvclv]

Didn’t realize Andrelton played CF.

Best ever at fielding "his position" - not CF.

[thewupk]

Best ever at fielding "his position" - not CF.

His position was CF

[salmagundy]

His position was CF

I remember the time his position was LF!!!! I also remember the times he was a RF.

Best ever at his position does not restrict him to CF.

[CyYoung31]

Best ever at fielding "his position" - not CF.

I remember the time his position was LF!!!! I also remember the times he was a RF.

Best ever at his position does not restrict him to CF.

[Metaphysicist]

"Fielding his position" actually means he was the best at catching centerfields being thrown at him.

[CyYoung31]

Thanks to our fearless leader, the emoticons are no longer functioning.

[Runnin]

[The Chosen One]

When people talk about his peak ending quickly, not enough gets made of the fact he played 18 away games a year in Philly (veteran's stadium) and Montreal for most of his peak years. Both had artificial turf and were terrible on his back and knees. He also played interleague against Tampa and Toronto before they started doing interleague outside the rival conference division.

Be the greatest defensive cf of all time and only have a 10 year peak, or be above average cf with a 12-13 year peak and your body still breaks down either way.

He is the greatest defensive centerfielder ever and did it for a decade. That should get him into the HoF with his offensive stats being above average.

[Tapate50]

When people talk about his peak ending quickly, not enough gets made of the fact he played 18 away games a year in Philly (veteran's stadium) and Montreal for most of his peak years. Both had artificial turf and were terrible on his back and knees. He also played interleague against Tampa and Toronto before they started doing interleague outside the rival conference division.

Be the greatest defensive cf of all time and only have a 10 year peak, or be above average cf with a 12-13 year peak and your body still breaks down either way.

He is the greatest defensive centerfielder ever and did it for a decade. That should get him into the HoF with his offensive stats being above average.

I agree. I’d say that the HOF voters aren’t giving enough weight to playing CF. Flat out, not everyone can do it. Fewer can do it well, and just about no one can do it like Druw.

[The Chosen One]

I agree. I’d say that the HOF voters aren’t giving enough weight to playing CF. Flat out, not everyone can do it. Fewer can do it well, and just about no one can do it like Druw.

There's hope. He doesn't have the counting stats for a CF, but he has gained votes on the ballot.

As the older voters retire, the younger voters are more saber oriented and Andruw will probably get a surge halfway to year 10.

Druw has a lot of records defensively in CF. Trout wont' be playing center anymore in a few years. It's just terrible on the body, and Druw had it worse because of all the fields he played that had artificial turf in Montreal, Philly, Tampa, Toronto... as well as the Houston Astrodome, and then the stupid Tal's hill at Minute Maid. His peak was cut short because his ability to play center diminished from playing at such a high level and going all out in center for a decade. That's like Utley playing 2B for 15 years, or Chipper playing 3B for 16-17 years. CF just have a shorter lifespan before they have to move to LF or RF, and Druw did it better than anyone.

[Carp]

My favorite all time catch of Andruw's and likely my favorite defensive play of all time by any player. I remember watching this live and being completely amazed he got to that ball. There's zero doubt in my mind that no other player in the history of ever could have made that catch.

I also love the catch at Houston going up the hill.

[thewupk]

I remember watching that game live and my reaction was just like Tom's but a little more exuberant.

This, the spiderman catch and the up the hill catch in Houston were probably his three best catches that I can recall.

[The Chosen One]

When you watch that Montreal clip, the initial view of the ball and how fast it's spinning away from Andruw, while he's running full speed to close on it, is amazing.

When I watched it live, I felt there was no way he would make it to the ball but he just kept closing in on it.

[Mad Dog Murph]

The most impressive thing about that was a starting pitcher that actually went more than 6 innings.

[Carp]

I did notice the announcer say that was Glavine's 21st shutout. The active leaders in shutouts is Kershaw with 15. Sadly we're seeing it go the way of the dodo.

[The Chosen One]

I did notice the announcer say that was Glavine's 21st shutout. The active leaders in shutouts is Kershaw with 15. Sadly we're seeing it go the way of the dodo.

I think you have to give some credit to hitters around the league, who have taken an approach of getting as many pitches per plate appearance and making pitchers work.

The league also doesn't employ those 15 year bench veterans who can't hit worth a **** anymore, so they aren't really pinch hitting late in games. Depth all around has improved.

[UNCBlue012]

How did this become an argument about two elite-level fielders? I need 'Rona to get the hell out of here.

[4maddux_cy's]

I wish the Braves would give Andruw the “Edgar treatment” the Mariners did. They took it upon themselves to educate voters and public opinion on his credentials. AJ deserves to be in the HoF.