Andruw's #25

by darthspiderman on Dec 30, 2007 4:33 PM EST

I got this from another board, and thought it was interesting:

Will jersey #25 get re-issued? A careful observer might have noticed that the Braves have not re-issued #31 since Maddux left, and hadn't re-issued #47 since Glavine left until Glavine re-claimed it this offseason. The reason is obvious - those numbers will be retired after the players themselves retire. Hopefully #29, #31, and #47 will all be retired together in one big ceremony, perhaps alongside #6 if the timing works out that way. #10 will join them a few years later.

So will the Braves retire #25 for Andruw Jones? Statistically, he's very similar to Dale Murphy. I think I'd have to vote yes.

Any thoughts?

This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Talking Chop.

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My knee-jerk reaction is YES!

For what he meant to the Braves and the city of Atlanta for the many years he played here, I say absolutely. The same reasoning could easily be used to support Glavine, Smoltz, Chipper, Maddux, etc., so yes. Andruw's defense alone was the best in the game, and his offense wasn't too shabby as a whole.

by secondbass on Dec 30, 2007 7:21 PM EST reply actions

i say no

If you're gonna retire his number, you have to retire David Justice's number too, and thats not gonna happen.

by bigjoe on Dec 30, 2007 7:56 PM EST reply actions

Well...

Justice had 7 years in Atlanta, 4 playoff appearances

Andruw had 12 years in Atlanta, 10 playoff appearances. I am indeed counting his 30 something games his first year up because of what he continued to do in the postseason that year.

Even discounting post season stuff, Jones had almost twice as meany years in Atlanta as Justice did, and Justice was never regarded as the 'best' of the best at anything when he was here - Again, Jones' defense was/is good in a historic way. Justice was good, not great. Not retire your number kind of great.

My opinions, of course....

by secondbass on Dec 30, 2007 8:09 PM EST up reply actions

And he's not a 'meany'

It should say 'twice as many years'....

by secondbass on Dec 30, 2007 8:10 PM EST up reply actions

yes, please...

dont issue that number...besides maybe (hopefully) when andruw is old and about to retire, he could play for us again....by the way dont mean to go off topic, but have the braves ever decided how their gonna distribute the peachtree tv telecast outside of atlanta???

by braveman on Dec 30, 2007 8:51 PM EST reply actions

Very Good Diary Post...

And I agree, it should not be issued. Andruw was a very big part of the latter portion of our 14 year run, and was the best defensive centerfielder over that span while also being one of our middle of the order threats for a decade. Furthermore, he was signed and developed by the braves, so being home-grown should add even more incentive as to why he should be valued as a brave. I also agree David Justice's number should be retired as well, but Andruw's should by all means be in line to be retired.

by bravessuperbeast on Dec 31, 2007 6:46 AM EST reply actions

I highly...

doubt that Justice's will be retired. For one Diaz has been wearing it for the past 2 years, and we might see him give it to Tex for next year.

I don't even think that AJ's number should be retired...maybe not issued for a while. But I think it's a long way from retiring the #.

by RainDelay on Dec 31, 2007 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

hmmm Really?

I wonder what your opinion would have been after the 05 or 06 season

by bravessuperbeast on Dec 31, 2007 3:31 PM EST reply actions

The same...

..as it is now.

by RainDelay on Dec 31, 2007 6:36 PM EST up reply actions

Well...

Then your criteria for a number to be retired may be a bit to high, but it could be a matter of not enough longevity on a team, in that case, I could see your point. But in terms of production for getting his number retired while he was a brave, he did more than enough to earn that distinction.

by bravessuperbeast on Jan 1, 2008 7:22 AM EST reply actions

Agree

He should have his # retired when of course he retires. And I also wouldn't mind see his face on the CF wall along with the other players on the wall. If I were playing CF in Turner with his pitcure on the wall and i would look back thinking i have to be as good as him defensivley. Some players would take this as a challenge.

by braves077 on Jan 1, 2008 4:12 PM EST reply actions

well i think

the braves shouldnt issue it for now. I think they will retire it eventually, it just may take another 8-10 years, when Andruw retires from baseball completely. I think Justice is great, but I think Andruw is better, and the fact he has played for 10 years is significant. On top of that, he's never been on the DL (as far as I can remember) - something Justice was keen on doing.

by darthspiderman on Jan 5, 2008 1:14 PM EST reply actions