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Then an old scout friend said the words that led me here: "I'll tell you the guy who isn't the player people think he is anymore -- Andruw Jones." Again, my first instinct was: no way. Then I took a closer look. And couldn't believe what I learned.

Andruw is a man who has built his reputation around his Gold Glove parade, his exceptional ability to glide around center field and suck sure-thing doubles out of the sky without overheating a single sweat gland. But while most of us weren't paying attention, Andruw was slowly, apparently imperceptibly, losing the part of that gift that made him special.

From 1998 through 2002, he was still That Guy. He topped 400 putouts five years in a row. No outfielder had done that since Mays (1954-1958). He was The Best. Clearly. But since then? Not the same player.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2880979

Agree, disagree?

bigboy1234 wrote:
Agree, disagree?

Agree that Jones is overrated, disagree that he's the most overrated CF of all time. That honor goes to Joe DiMaggio -- a clear-cut HOFer to be sure, but also a classic case of the New York media exaggerating a player's virtues based on his charisma and perceived clutchness. The Derek Jeter of his day. The ever-humble DiMaggio insisted on being called the "greatest living ballplayer," but he wasn't better than his contemporaries Ted Williams and Stan Musial. Yankee fans booed Mickey Mantle early in his career, just because he wasn't DiMaggio -- even though Mantle turned out to be a better player. Mantle, Mays, and Ty Cobb were all better CFs than DiMaggio, and yet DiMaggio is the one who gets his name inserted in "greatest of all time" discussions.

Another candidate for this honor would be Richie Ashburn, who parlayed a solid career as a singles hitter with two or three homers a year (during a very good era for power hitters) into a HOF career. He was also a good fielder and somewhat above-average baserunner, but that hardly makes him HOF-worthy. In his best years he had an OBP in the .440 range, and if he could have done that consistently, he would have been worthy of the HOF. His career OBP was about .390, which is good but not spectacular.

If we're talking defensively, then no way. If we're talking as a total player, then definitely. But I'm pretty sure this is just talking about defense and I don't see how anyone who has watched Andruw over his career can call him overrated defensively. He's 30 so naturally he isn't going to be as fast as he used to be, but he's still the best CF in the game. There's no one more reliable. My only complaint is that his throws to home haven't seemed very accurate over the past couple of seasons.

Andruw is without a doubt a top 3 CF all-time, I think he'll go down as the best when he's done. Call me a homer, but I'm far from an Andruw homer, especially this year. Offensively he frustrates the hell out of me.

High 5 wrote:If we're talking defensively, then no way. If we're talking as a total player, then definitely. But I'm pretty sure this is just talking about defense and I don't see how anyone who has watched Andruw over his career can call him overrated defensively. He's 30 so naturally he isn't going to be as fast as he used to be, but he's still the best CF in the game. There's no one more reliable. My only complaint is that his throws to home haven't seemed very accurate over the past couple of seasons.

Andruw is without a doubt a top 3 CF all-time, I think he'll go down as the best when he's done. Call me a homer, but I'm far from an Andruw homer, especially this year. Offensively he frustrates the hell out of me.

How can you say he is over rated but then say he will be a top 3 CF of all time. that makes no sense. And yes your a homer.

when his career is over his #'s may suggest he's a top 3 CF ever, personally ive never thought he was all that great but since he's been in the bigs since he was 19 and will play til he's 40 most likely thats what High5 is saying, i think.

neverstoppers23 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



How can you say he is over rated but then say he will be a top 3 CF of all time. that makes no sense. And yes your a homer.

I said he was overrated as a total player, meaning both offense and defense. When talking strictly defense, he's a top 3 CF all time. When talking about both offense and defense, I wouldn't even consider him a top 3 CF in the league right now.

Don't get me wrong, he has to talent and ability to be a good hitter, but he's far too stubborn and lazy to go through with it.

Jason Stark is an idiot, yes Andruw Jones is overrated...but the most overrated CF of all time?!?!? Johnny Damon and Juan Pierre are far more overrated and they both play in his era. This article never should've been written.

its not just an article, he made a book about the most overrated and underrated of all time. i saw a preview of it on amazon, at least Jason and I agreed that nolan ryan is the most overrated right handed pitcher of all time.

Not as overrated as Jim Edmonds

High 5 wrote:Andruw is without a doubt a top 3 CF all-time, I think he'll go down as the best when he's done.

You smoke rocks?



He's probably not even the best CF of the past 25 years. Griffey was better at the plate and that more than made up for whatever he lacked in the field.

Best of all-time? Better than Ty Cobb, Mantle, Tris Speaker, Mays or even Dimaggio? Best of luck with that...

Jones is probably one of the most overrated CFs offensively.

Please read my posts and then reply.

Andruw Jones with another HR rob again today BTW.

Wait, what is your argument, that defensively he's top 3 all-time or that because of his defense he's top 3 all time?

Either way...ehhhh.

Basketball Jesus wrote:Wait, what is your argument, that defensively he's top 3 all-time or that because of his defense he's top 3 all time?

Either way...ehhhh.

I made it pretty clear that my point is he's top 3 all-time defensively. There's really no disputing that if you've watched him over his career.

That's a rather glib assertion given how many of the greats you have seen over their careers.

Disagree if you will, but among people in baseball I don't think you'll find many who would say otherwise. Whenever you see a discussion on the subject Andruw always gets a mention as the best. Willie Mays himself even said Andruw was the best. Not sure how anyone can say he isn't at least top 3.

Jones has always been a great defensive CF, he hits for good power, but his average at its best in the .260's...

High 5 wrote:Disagree if you will, but among people in baseball I don't think you'll find many who would say otherwise. Whenever you see a discussion on the subject Andruw always gets a mention as the best

Yes, but isn't that exactly the kind of conventional wisdom that Stark was knocking down in his article? Shouldn't you at least try to confront it?

Most overrated playter of all time? Phil Rizzuto says hi.

That catch was awesome the other day.

I <3 Andruw.

The guy is the best defensive CF EVER. Period. He's had 50+ and 40+ HR seasons... Yeah, he's never hit for average and has been shaky all around as a hitter...

He's only 29 and he's gonna have MONSTER #'s when he retires... He's lost a step defensively too but he's still gonna mash the ball...

He's a future first ballot guy...