Is Andruw Jones a Future HOF'er?

HOF, of course, stands for Hall Of Fame. I hear so many people talking about potential and certain Hall Of Famers. Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Pedro Martinez, Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens, John Smoltz, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, amongst others, have all been labeled as such. Some are already considered Hall Of Fame inductees, like Clemens and Bonds. The likes of McGwire, Smoltz, and others are considered potential inductees. I have yet to hear Atlanta Braves' centerfielder Andruw Jones mentioned as even a potential Hall Of Famer. Why is this?

Does it have to do with his age? Considering he's not even 30 yet? Alex Rodriguez isn't a great deal older. The same goes for Jeter. Is it considered to be a jinx if the media talks about a player being a future Hall Of Famer before their 30th birthday?

I certainly hope that there is no jinx, because I'm going to make a case for Andruw. It seems like this guy has been playing for a long time, and yet, he's not even 30. Well, the fact of the matter is, he has been playing for a while, ten years, in fact. In 10+ years, Andruw Jones has hit over 300 home runs, has over 900 RBI's, and has over 100 stolen bases. At this pace, Andruw will finish his career with 500+ home runs, 1,500-2,000 RBI's, and 150-200 SB's. That's just his offense. In eight full seasons as a centerfielder, Andruw Jones has eight gold gloves. I don't know what the record is for gold gloves in the outfield, but Andruw has to be creeping up there. As long as he plays the way he's been playing and doesn't get hurt, Andruw will win a gold glove. He's unbelievable in the outfield.

Ozzie Smith was never much of a weapon on offense, but the guy was so spectacular on defense, that he was inducted into the Hall Of Fame. There is debate on fellow shortstop Omar Vizquel perhaps being a future inductee for the same reasons.

So, if Andruw is just as marvelous on defense at his position as the likes of Ozzie and Omar were and are at their position, to go along with his impressive offensive output, how could Andruw Jones not be a future Hall Of Famer? With the numbers he has now and the eight gold gloves to go with that, he's already a Hall Of Famer in my book.

When it comes to pure offense, the likes of Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez are definite Hall Of Famers. When it comes to defense, Omar Vizquel is a Hall Of Famer. When it comes to the total package of offense, defense, speed, leadership, and throwing arm, Andruw Jones has to be near or at the top of the list for future Hall Of Famers.