COOPERSTOWN – Andruw Jones has dedicated his induction into the American Baseball Hall of Fame to Curaçao. In his speech in Cooperstown, the former baseball player reflected at length on his youth on the island, his late father, and the Curaçaoan players who reached the Major League before and after him.
"There is no easy road from the small island of Curaçao, more than 3,000 kilometers away, to this place," Jones said. "But from today, Cooperstown and Curaçao are forever connected. Being the first Hall of Famer from my island is an incredible moment."
Jones was officially inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday alongside Carlos Beltrán and Jeff Kent. Among the estimated 12,000 attendees were many Curaçaoan supporters. The blue and white colors of the Curaçaoan flag were clearly visible in the crowd. Dozens of previously inducted baseball legends sat on the stage. According to Major League Baseball, a total of sixty Hall of Famers were present at the ceremony.
‘This is for you’
Jones said he was overjoyed to share the historic moment with people from his homeland. "To the people of Curaçao: this is truly for you. Thank you." He then addressed supporters on the island in Papiamentu.
He also paid tribute to Hensley ‘Bam Bam’ Meulens, the first Curaçao-born baseball player to reach the Major League. "Bam Bam opened the door for many others to chase their dream and become a professional."
Jones said that when he joined the Atlanta Braves, he was aware that he in turn could inspire other young Curaçaoan players. He referred to, among others, Ozzie Albies, Jurickson Profar, Jonathan Schoop, Andrelton Simmons, Kenley Jansen, and Jair Jurrjens. "I am so proud of you."
Father Henry
The most emotional part of the speech was about his father Henry Jones, who passed away ten years ago. Jones called it bittersweet that his father was no longer able to witness his induction into the Hall of Fame.
Henry Jones himself played as a centerfielder and taught his son the position. On Curaçao, he would hit balls from one foul pole to the other, making Andruw try to catch them. "Because of the sea wind, it is very difficult on the island to track high balls properly."
His father also had him swing a sledgehammer to develop strong wrists. "Everything he taught me had a purpose. Henry Jones was a legend on Curaçao and a great player himself."
Jones continued: "Without his constant coaching, I would not be standing here. Dad, we did it. I know you are looking down on me now with a big smile. I love you so much."
He called his mother Carmen, who was present at the ceremony, his biggest supporter. "You taught me to stay humble."
Trust from Bobby Cox
Jones also thanked the Atlanta Braves, who signed him as a sixteen-year-old in 1993. In particular, the late manager Bobby Cox played a decisive role, according to him.
"Nobody within the Braves organization has had more influence on me than Bobby Cox. He put a nineteen-year-old in the lineup for the World Series and believed in me."
Jones repaid that trust immediately. During the first game of the 1996 World Series, he hit two home runs and became the youngest player ever to hit a home run in the World Series.
Jones also recalled how Cox would send him to Hank Aaron’s office during difficult stretches. Jones would think he was being called in for a reprimand, but Aaron deliberately avoided talking about baseball. He asked about his family and children, to help him relax and take his mind off the sport.
Defense over personal statistics
Although Jones hit 434 home runs during his career, he said during his speech that he was most proud of his defensive abilities.
"Hitting home runs is great, but I placed a lot of value on my defense, because that is how you win games. You can go hitless in four at-bats and still make an impact by preventing hits and extra bases for the opponent."
That mindset, he said, matched the culture of the Braves. "The game becomes much simpler when you focus on the team and not on yourself. That is the beauty of baseball."
Jones won ten consecutive Gold Gloves between 1998 and 2007 and was selected for the All-Star Game five times. He is one of only four players in baseball history with at least ten Gold Gloves and four hundred home runs. His plaque in Cooperstown bears, as expected, the logo of the Atlanta Braves. The Hall of Fame describes him as the most important defender of the successful Braves teams of that era.
Jones concluded by thanking his former teammate Chipper Jones, who had publicly campaigned for his candidacy for years. "The Jones boys are now both in Cooperstown."
"To everyone who helped me on my journey from Curaçao to Cooperstown: thank you," Jones concluded.
