While he won’t be donning the iconic cap on his plaque, a former White Sox player is heading to Cooperstown.
In his ninth year on the ballot, outfielder Andruw Jones has been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame with 78.4% of the votes. He will be joined by fellow outfielder Carlos Beltran, who received 84.2% of the votes, and the previously elected Jeff Kent.
Jones spent just one season with the White Sox in 2010, playing primarily right field with a handful of appearances in each corner position and at adesignated hitter. Signed to a low-risk, one-year deal, Jones provided the club with a solid offensive season given the expectations. The veteran hit .230/.341/.486 with 19 home runs and 48 RBIs, while posting a 121 wRC+ and .827 OPS over 107 games. Jones also reached notable milestones during his brief stint, including his 400th career home run and a walk-off homer on his 33rd birthday.
Signed by the Braves at the age of 16, Jones debuted just three years later and quickly became a cornerstone of Atlanta’s long run of success. He earned five All-Star selections, won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves, and played a key role on Atlanta’s World Series championship teams. At his peak, Jones combined his elite defense with power at the plate, slugging 434 career home runs and twice leading the National League in homers.
While his offensive production declined after leaving Atlanta, Jones served as a role player with several other teams, including the Dodgers, Rangers, and Yankees. When all was said and done, Jones etched his name as one of the game’s greatest defensive center fielders and most accomplished all-around players of his era.
Induction ceremonies for Jones, Beltran, and Kent will take place in upstate New York on Sunday, July 26, 2026, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Paul Hoynes and Joe Buck will also be honored with the BBWAA Career Excellence Award and the Ford C. Frick Award, respectively, during Hall of Fame Weekend.
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